Driver fatigue, increased travel times, medical attention and isolation are just some of the issues country mayors are citing following news of a proposal federal government road rule change.

Western area mayors and councils are in total agreeance that the Federal Governments proposal to reduce default speed limits by 30 kilometres outside built up areas is, according to more than one Mayor, a total load of rubbish.

Submissions are being received by government, and these will shape a final Regulatory Impact Analysis regarding proposed changes to the Australian Road Rules.

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM says it is fortunate that State Governments set their road rules, leaving the Federal Government proposal to be just that, a proposal.

“Speed kills and like the Australian Government, we acknowledge that. The desire to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads is something we all share,” said Mayor Firman.

“However, the proposal to reduce the ‘default’ speed limit from 100km/hr to as little as 70km/hr and the application of a lower speed limit for unsealed roads is beyond excessive and lacks genuine consideration for key concerns for those who actually drive the roads where default speed limits apply.

“Additionally, the data cited by the Government is broad and does not specifically refer to unposted or unsealed roads.”

Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM - [Image CMA]

If these proposals are adopted the CMA Board and Members say reducing speed limits by 30kms mean trip duration will be longer and lead to driver fatigue, an already major cause of death on country roads.

“Lowering default speed limits will obviously increase travel times, exacerbating the tyranny of distance issues that impact on those living in smaller towns and villages, increasing their sense of isolation.

“This undermines efforts to promote regional livability and population growth.

“They’re talking about increasing the travel time to medical attention by 20-30 percent. That could have critical, even life-threatening outcomes and impact quality of life, with rural residents likely to reconsider some medical appointments when facing such as increase to the travel time,” Mayor Firman said.

The risk of being killed on a regional or remote road is 11 times higher compared to a road in a major city, but rural and regional mayors feel slowing the default speed limit is far from the best answer.

Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill - [Image Bogan Shire Council]

Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill is scathing of the proposal.

“This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. What do they honestly think this will do to people fatigue wise out here on our country roads.

In my opinion, the money spent on this would have been far better spent on our roads,” said Mayor Neill.

Cobar Shire Council Mayor Jarrod Marsden - [Image CSC]

“This proposal is absolutely ridiculous,” echoed Jarrod Marsden Cobar Mayor.

“With the fatigue factor that it would add to country driving, as well as the cost involved to every business out in western NSW who rely on people to travel out here that provide goods and services, it’s an absolute joke.

"It would take three days to get a truck load of fuel out west.

“To say that they are doing it for safety but then to add hours to a journey out west just doesn’t make sense,” said Mayor Marsden.

Greg Whitely Mayor of Warren - [Image Warren Shire Council]

Greg Whitely Mayor of Warren said this proposal is totally unrealistic.

“In my opinion this has come from above without any thought for the consequences,” Mayor Whiteley said.

Country Women's Association Chief Executive Officer Danica Leys speaking up on behalf of country people at Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety - [Image NSW Legislative Assembly]

CWA Chief Executive Officer Danica Leys, Roy Butler MP and Phyllis Miller spoke passionately on behalf of rural and regional people at a public hearing yesterday with the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety about the issue.

All three spoke with first-hand knowledge of rural roads, from lived experience, with the united belief being the need to fix roads rather than reduce speed limits, for the safety of rural people and those who travel on rural and regional roads.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler at Joint Standing Committee hearing on Road Safety - [Image NSW Legislative Assembly]

NSW Farmers Association says that better roads should be the priority not slowing speed limits.

"Better roads, not slower trucks, are what’s needed to reduce the surging road toll in the regions," said NSW Farmers’ Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe.

"With studies showing farm workers are four times more likely to die on the nation’s roads than any other driver, as NSW local roads face a $3.4 million dollar backlog in repairs."

Labor Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain - [Image Australian Labor Party]

But Labor Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain says the consultation on a default speed limit for unsealed roads is to understand the various issues and views from road safety experts, industry and the community, and to inform a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) by the Department of Infrastructure.

‘This review has been an action under the National Road Safety Action Plan since at least 2018, when Michael McCormack held the portfolio as Deputy Prime Minister,” said Minister McBain.

“The RIA was agreed to by all States and Territories in a bid to help reduce the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries on our roads.

“At the moment, some roads in Australia do not have sign-posted speed limits. This means that a default speed limit applies on those roads.

“The Australian Road Rules state that the default speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas is 100km/h. However, there is no default speed limit for unsealed roads.

“Consultation is now open and interested stakeholders are urged to have their say and contribute to how we can work together to save lives on our roads. 

“Our CMA Board and Members are very disappointed, to be frank, at what appears to be an alarming disconnect between our Australian Government and the real-world experience of using our rural, remote and regional roads," Mayor Firman said.

“Our Board and Members have made submissions opposing the lowering of default speed limits and we appreciate the opportunity to do so.

"We trust these submissions will enlighten those behind this excessive and unrealistic proposal and encourage them to rethink it," Mayor Firman said.

“CMA is encouraged, however, that in discussions with our NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport the Hon. Jenny Aitchison MP, she has assured us that this is just one part of the process, and the NSW Government will genuinely consult with Councils and communities before any change to NSW road rules are considered,” he said.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller representing Lachlan Shire at Joint Standing Committee hearing on Road Safety - [Image NSW Legislative Assembly]