Australia’s timber towns will have until Monday, November 10, to have their say on a Federal Government proposal to reduce speed limits on rural and regional roads. Wood Central understands that the Federal Department of Transport is seeking feedback on a proposed reduction of the speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas where there are no sign-posted speed limits.
It comes as a consultation paper released in conjunction with the review, which suggests speed limits could be reduced to 80km/h on sealed roads and 70km/h on unsealed roads. The Department states that the move is being considered as a measure to improve safety, noting that the risk of being killed on a regional or remote road is 11 times higher compared to a road in a major city.
It reveals that last year, 1294 people were killed on Australian roads and more than 30,000 people seriously injured, with speed a major factor in serious and fatal traffic crashes.
“Your feedback will inform updates to the Australian Road Rules for sealed and unsealed roads outside of built-up areas, which can be considered by state and territory governments,” the Department’s consultation page states. The proposal is to amend the “Model Australian Road Rules”, which form the basis of road rules in each Australian State and Territory.
The Australian Road Rules state that the default speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas is 100km/h.
The Department states that some roads outside built-up areas, particularly in regional and remote areas, may not be safe to travel on at 100km/h. “Many of Australia’s regional and remote roads are not sealed, and may be dirt or gravel tracks.”
“Other roads may have sealed surfaces, but may be in poor condition, or lacking the road features that would enable safe travel at high speeds,” it said. “Travelling at up to 100km/h on roads such as these may not be safe and will increase the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries. Reducing travel speed on these roads can help prevent the tragedy of road crashes, injuries and deaths, by setting a speed limit that is safe for drivers and people using the road.”
The Regulatory Impact Analysis will consider the options, costs, and benefits of lowering the current default speed limit in the Australian Road Rules and introducing a new default speed limit specifically for unsealed roads.
The Natinalls slam the proposal as “lazy government” policy
Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud, speaking to Sky News from Goondiwindi, slammed the proposal as lazy Government. “Regional Australia has lost over $3300 a kilometre in federal funding to maintain our roads, our national highways,” he said. “And just west of here, instead of fixing the road between Goondiwindi and St George, they’ve simply put permanent signs up to say, ‘Rough surface, slow down’.”
“So the next step is, because if people aren’t slowing down, they’re going to reduce the speed limit. This is lazy government. This is about saying regional Australia doesn’t matter and that we’re not going to fix your roads, we’re going to let them crumble, and you’re just going to have to drive slower.”
“Technology in our vehicles means that we can drive safer at the speed limit of 100km/h and potentially above that. So why wouldn’t we use that technology? Because you know what that’s going to mean for you that live in capital cities is your food comes from this part of the world. And if we don’t have the materials that we need to get your product from a paddock to your plate, then you’re going to pay more.”
“And this is just going to show that there are two classes of citizens in this country. We’re the forgotten Australians out here, and they’ve not just put in people’s lives, but they’re actually also tearing up our economy of who’s generating the wealth in this country.”
Country roads are under duress and stress
In September, Wood Central revealed that pressure on Victoria’s country roads has intensified since the pandemic, with increased migration from cities and above-average rainfall exacerbating wear and compromising surface conditions. As reported in the latest TIRES Report prepared by Timber Towns Victoria in partnership with local councils, the Victorian Government, and industry stakeholders, more than 9 million cubic metres of logs traverse Victoria’s road network every year, with many routes in urgent need of maintenance or upgrade to keep heavy timber trucks moving safely from origin to destination.
In total, the report highlights 167 local roads requiring A$128.6 million in maintenance and upgrades over the next five years—an average investment of A$3.72 per tonne of timber transported: “TIRES provides an evidence-based framework to help councils and government budget for the critical road upgrades needed to keep timber trucks moving safely and sustainably,” according to Cr Karen Stephens, President of Timber Towns Victoria and Mayor of Glenelg Shire Council.
“The commitment to economic expansion in key forestry regions is welcomed, and Timber Towns Victoria looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the forestry sector to ensure that industry growth and infrastructure management are properly coordinated to ensure safe and secure access for all road users.”
The window for public feedback closes this coming Monday, November 10.
For more information or to have your say on the Department website, click here.
