UPDATE: Urgent safety concerns are escalating over a controversial speed hump in Riverwood, Sydney, as residents mistakenly treat it as a pedestrian crossing. Installed by the Georges River Council in November 2025, the speed hump on Belmore Road has sparked confusion among locals and raised significant safety alarms.
The speed hump is strategically located between two bus stops and adjacent to multiple grocery stores, leading many to believe it functions as a crossing point. Local business owner Saheb Khan, who works at a nearby fruit shop, reported that “five to ten people complain about it each day,” citing the risk of pedestrians almost being struck by vehicles.
Despite initial intentions to enhance pedestrian safety, the speed hump has instead proven hazardous. In response to community outcry, the council has put in place temporary measures, including orange and yellow mesh sheeting and signage directing pedestrians to a proper crossing located 60 metres down the road. Unfortunately, these efforts have not deterred people from using the hump as an informal crossing.
The speed hump was part of a broader initiative funded by Transport for NSW, which allocated nearly $3 million to upgrade high-pedestrian areas in Riverwood. This initiative was implemented as traffic speeds were reduced to 40km/h. However, questions arise about the planning process, with Mark Coure, opposition spokesman for roads and Riverwood’s state MP, stating, “Council’s high-pedestrian planning could have been done better.” He is now calling for a comprehensive traffic study to address the area’s increasing congestion.
The Georges River Council has also received one formal complaint and five requests to fix the issue. Officials maintain that the speed hump is necessary for maintaining a low-speed environment and suggest that converting it into a crossing could create further complications. A spokesperson for the council asserted, “This location is not suitable for a zebra crossing because there is an existing signalised pedestrian crossing about 50 metres to the north.”
While the council insists the speed hump will remain, residents continue to express frustration. Hadi Charbine, a pharmacist in the area, echoed these sentiments, stating that the speed hump, although intended to improve safety, has failed to do so in its current configuration. With a significant ageing population and a high percentage of non-English speakers in the community, the confusion surrounding the hump’s function poses a critical danger.
The council has ordered permanent fencing for the speed hump, which will be implemented as soon as it arrives. Until then, the potential for accidents remains high, and residents are left to navigate this hazardous situation. Local leaders and citizens alike are calling for immediate action to rectify the dangerous misunderstanding surrounding this speed hump.
As this situation develops, those in the Riverwood area are urged to remain vigilant and use designated crossings to ensure their safety. The community’s outcry reflects a pressing need for better signage and clearer pedestrian pathways in this high-traffic region. Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing issue.
