Anger has erupted across the Liverpool Plains after speed limits on two key roads were abruptly reduced, with locals, council and the state MP Kevin Andrews all calling for an urgent review.
Speed zones on Coonabarabran Road and Waverley Road, both important access roads between the Kamilaroir Highway and the communities of Caroona and Spring Ridge, have been cut from 100km/h to 80km/h, with signage installed before formal notification was received by Liverpool Plains Shire Council.
Mayor Ken Cudmore said the lack of consultation had left the community blindsided.
“Council was given effectively no notice of these changes and no opportunity to provide local knowledge or input into the decision or advocate for consideration of alternative safety measures,” Cr Cudmore said.
“These are significant roads that support freight, agriculture, emergency services and daily community movement, and decisions of this magnitude should not be made without proper engagement with the people and communities who are impacted by them.”
The changes have also sparked concern among residents, with many questioning both the process and the need for the reductions.
Kevin Anderson said locals had been caught off guard by the sudden shift.
“Residents across the Liverpool Plains have woken this week to find speed zones on their local road suddenly and unexpectedly dropped from 100km/h to 80km/h,” Mr Anderson said.
“These changes were made without notice, without consultation, and the community members who have contacted me are telling me they are completely unnecessary.”
Mr Anderson said he had contacted the Roads Minister seeking answers.
“I’ve urgently contacted the Roads Minister to ask the government to explain why these changes have been made, why no one was consulted, and asked for the decision to be urgently reviewed.”
In response, a Transport for NSW spokesperson said the changes followed a broader safety review.
“Coonabarabran Road was identified as requiring a speed zone review as part of a statewide review carried out to identify roads with a poor crash record and/or road alignment,” the spokesperson said.
“Given the proximity of Waverley Road, it was also included into the review as it has a known crash history and two level crossings.”
The spokesperson said both roads present a number of safety risks.
“The roads are narrow (7M) with little or no shoulders, have more than 39 property accesses as well as three level train crossings.”
“There are two recorded serious injuries in the past 5 years resulting in a fatal serious injury (FSI)Crash rate of 8.1 per million vehicle km’s which is in excess of the maximum allowable FSI of 6.3 for a rural road.”
“As neither road meets the mandatory requirements for the higher speed limit of 90km/h or 100km/h as set out in the NSW Speed Zoning Standards 2025, the speed was reduced to 80km hour.”
Mayor Cudmore said the impact of the changes extends beyond inconvenience, with the roads playing a critical role in the regional economy.
“The Liverpool Plains is a food and fibre powerhouse and the strategic importance of Coonabarabran Road in particular to our community and economy cannot be overstated,” he said.
Coonabarabran Road carries around 800 vehicles per day, including a high proportion of heavy vehicles servicing agriculture and freight across the region.
While acknowledging the importance of road safety, council has argued that blanket speed reductions are not a substitute for proper investment.
“We need a balanced, evidence-based approach from the NSW Government that includes much-needed infrastructure upgrades such as shoulder widening, pavement improvements and resilience works, not just reduced speed limits,” Cr Cudmore said.
Council has formally written to the Minister for Roads and Regional Transport requesting an urgent review of the decision and is encouraging residents to provide feedback to the NSW Government.
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