Proposed Change to Default Speed Limits on Open Roads

Published on 27 October 2025

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The Federal Government is asking for feedback on a proposal to reduce the default speed limit on roads outside of towns and built-up areas where there are no speed limit signs.

Currently, the default speed limit on these roads is 100km/h, which includes many sealed and unsealed (gravel or dirt) roads across regional and rural areas including parts of the Warrumbungle Shire.

This consultation is part of a broader review into how to make regional and remote roads safer. Research shows that the risk of being killed on a regional or remote road is 11 times higher than on a road in a major city. Many rural roads are narrow, unsealed, or in poor condition, and may not be safe for travel at 100km/h.

What’s Being Proposed

The Federal Government is developing a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to explore possible changes to the Australian Road Rules, which set the model for state and territory road laws.

The proposal is looking at:

  • Lowering the current default speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas
  • Introducing a new default speed limit specifically for unsealed roads (which currently have no defined default limit)
  • Assessing the safety benefits of lowering default speed limits on rural and regional roads

The RIA will consider different options, the potential costs and benefits of each, and how any change could improve safety for drivers and road users.

Why It Matters

Many roads across the Warrumbungle Shire are unsealed or not sign-posted. If these changes go ahead, it could mean lower speed limits on local rural roads where no speed signs are currently installed.

This is an opportunity for residents to have their say and help shape how future speed limits are set on rural and regional roads across Australia.

How to Have Your Say

Submissions close: Sunday, 10 November 2025
Feedback can be given anonymously

Residents, community groups, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to share their views. Your feedback will help shape the final Regulatory Impact Analysis and guide future decisions about speed limits on open roads.

Have your say here: Visit the Federal Government’s Have Your Say portal

Make sure you have your say this proposal could affect many of the roads across the Warrumbungle Shire.

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