Regional road condition debate gains traction
FEDERAL Member for Grey Tom Venning announced today (Tuesday, November 25) that Labor has decided to abandon plans to slash speed limits on country roads.
Mr Venning said this news was a significant win for regional Australia but it was not the end of the fight.
“Our roads are in desperate need of funding, yet Labor has offered no additional funding for our roads and no legitimate plan to address dangerous roads in Grey,” he said.
“Our roads in regional Australia are the lifeline that connects our regional communities to essential services, and they are in desperate need of funding to improve conditions.”
The proposal featured options to reduce the default speed limits on regional sealed roads to 90, 80 or 70km/h, and on unsealed roads to 80 or 70km/h.
Melissa Kenny, a primary producer from Winulta, said her main concern would have been longer transit times, describing the prospect of more time on the road as “uncomfortable”.
“At the moment we do three trips to Dublin a day, there and back,” she said.
“You wouldn’t be able to do that when doing 80km/h.
“From a heavy vehicle perspective, the main thing would be fatigue.”
Ms Kenny said the proposed changes could have impacted harvest operations by slowing the process.
“This time of year, it’s time critical to get to the end where the processor is, so it will have a big impact in that way,” she said.
“It will potentially extend the harvest carting period.”
She also noted that the ability for farmers to “shop around” between delivery sites for a better price could be affected by rising costs and longer travel times.
“As a motorist, this is something that can affect everyone,” Ms Kenny said.
An article published in last week’s YP Country Times (18-11-25) and shared on Facebook quickly drew more than 100 comments and seven shares.
The overwhelming sentiment? “Fix the roads” -- with many locals highlighting the poor condition of regional roads.
“Travel time on the roads is long enough without adding less speed and more time,” Robert Jamieson said.
“It will just add to the fatigue of some drivers and cause more accidents on our country roads.”
Kathryn Dayman raised concerns about the effect on school bus routes.
“Kids will have to be on there so much longer,” she said.
