A fiercely supported e-petition demanding the NSW Government reverse an 80 km/h speed limit on Rugby and Narrawa Roads has closed with 1,041 signatures — a remarkable tally for two quiet rural roads that link Boorowa with Narrawa and Rugby.
Spearheaded by resident Anna Dreverman, the petition accuses Transport for NSW (TfNSW) of using lower speed limits as a substitute for proper road upgrades on the 43 km sealed section now restricted to 80 km/h.
What the Petition Actually Says
Addressed to the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, the petition states:
“The undersigned petitioners, being users and residents of Rugby and Narrawa Roads, bring to the attention of the House our ongoing concerns about the poor condition of these roads and the lack of upgrades and maintenance. Instead of directly addressing these concerns, Transport for NSW has introduced reduced speed limits, which limit accessibility and diminish the liveability of the area for local communities.”
It asks the House to urge the Government to scrap the 80 km/h zone and upgrade the roads so they are “safe and suitable” for 100 km/h travel.”
Further Isolating Already Isolated Communities
Chief petitioner Anna Dreverman said the decision compounds the region’s sense of being forgotten.
“This decision not only reduces the liveability of our area, but is also further isolating already isolated communities and individuals.”
Five Minutes or Fifteen? Locals Call Bull
TfNSW claimed the reduction would add only five minutes to the full journey. Mrs Dreverman directly disputed the figure:
“The Transport for NSW media release states it will only take an extra five minutes; however, that is calculated using a formula that doesn’t take into consideration the actual road conditions. Users have been timing their trips and have noticed upwards of 15-minute increases.”
For daily commuters, that is more than an hour lost each week.
80 on Seal, 100 on Gravel: The Double Standard
Residents also highlight the absurdity that many connecting unsealed roads immediately revert to the 100 km/h default, prompting Mrs Dreverman to brand the new limits “inconsistent with the rest of the district”.
A Bigger Fight Over Funding and Accountability
Local doctor and farmer Dr Amy Kelly warned of the longer-term consequences:
“My concern is that once those speed limits are reduced, it is the legitimacy of any level of government to defend these roads and not maintain them at the standard that we expect as taxpayers.”
A TfNSW spokesperson previously confirmed that community consultation is not required for such changes — a statement that has only added fuel to local anger.
With 1,041 signatures now certified, e-petition 4078 will be formally tabled in State Parliament, forcing the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads to respond in writing.
For the communities of Boorowa, Narrawa and Rugby, this is no longer just about a speed sign — it is a demand for roads that are properly built and maintained, not simply signed into slower obedience.
– Tully Potts
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