Speed limits on council-run roads could be cut to 80 kilometres per hour across the region in a plan that is angering south-west leaders.
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VicRoads has been in talks with local councils and permanent speed reductions have already been introduced in the Moyne Shire and parts of the Otways.
Corangamite Shire has slammed the plan and its CEO will write to Roads Minister Luke Donnellan to urge him to retain the current limits. Councillor Chris O’Connor said it was a “nanny state” idea.
“We know our roads… We drive our roads to the road’s condition and we don’t need VicRoads looking over our shoulder everywhere we go telling us exactly what speed we need to drive,” he said.
Cr O’Connor said the “stated aim” of VicRoads chief John Merritt was to limit roads with 200-car movements or less to 80 kilometres for safety reasons.
“I’m sure they will run a well-orchestrated campaign to appeal to a lot of people, but none of them who live on country roads,” Cr O’Connor said.
Cr Wayne Oakes echoed the comments.
“I think seriously it’s time some of these bureaucrats got off their polished leather seats in Melbourne and came down and had a look at the areas that they’re criticizing... and start pouring money into where it’s needed instead of trying to tell us what to do in our own roads system,” he said.
VicRoads said it was trying to “progress discussions” with councils around the issue.