A proposal to slash speed limits on rural roads in poor condition has been described as an insult to country residents and the councils who serve them by Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey.
A regulatory impact assessment currently open for public comment proposes reducing the default speed limit - on roads that do not have sign-posted speed limits - as part of efforts to reduce our tragic road toll.
In 2024, 1294 people were killed on our roads, with more than 30,000 people seriously injured as a result of road crashes, the introduction on the government's website states. Speed is a major factor in serious and fatal traffic crashes.
At present, the default is 100km/hr on roads outside of built-up areas, and the Australian Road Rules do not specify a default speed limit for unsealed roads.
The implementation of this change would give states and territories the opportunity to reduce default speed limits as appropriate.
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With the deadline for submissions looming on Monday, 27 October Mr Chaffey is calling first for an extension of that time but also for the government to commit to funding road repairs rather than cutting speed limits.
“It is unreasonable and unfair to again put the burden on the people of the Parkes electorate to make up for the government’s lack of support for regional New South Wales," Mr Chaffey said.
"Already, regional Australians face the challenges of distance that impacts on their health and their livelihoods.
“The 20 councils across the electorate already struggling with limited rates bases and skyrocketing costs have also all suffered some form of natural disaster in the past three to four years, with the exception of Broken Hill.
"They have all had to apply for funding to fix their roads through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“The amount of necessary funding that has been knocked back is staggering at about $150 million.
"Councils cannot meet these enormous costs, and they should not be expected to."
While the Coalition has called on the Labor Government to extend the looming 27 October deadline for local transport operators, small business, farmers and councils to make submissions to the Government’s consultation, Mr Chaffey is urging people to make a submissions about how their communities would be impacted by speed limit reductions on rural, regional and remote
Australian roads.
To make a submission, visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/regulatory-impact-analysis-reduce-open-road-default-speed-limit
