The Slow Down and Survive forum placed the discussion of dropping the speed limit on gravel roads in the Northern Grampians shire from 100 kilometres an hour to 70 kilometres an hour further into the spotlight.  

Wimmera Superintendent Paul Margetts said the forum assisted Victoria Police representatives to “discover and learn about things we may not understand” about what the proposal might mean to residents. 

Mr Margetts said of particular focus to police was learning about the impact the speed limit change might have on community activities, rural businesses and the tourism sector. 

“It helps us understand what change might mean to people,” he said. 

About 80 per cent of the Northern Grampians shire’s roads – along with about 1000 kilometres of Parks Victoria’s roads within the shire – are gravel. 

Statistics show that across the past five years, 41 people have been seriously injured in a crash on a gravel road within the Northern Grampians shire. 

Mr Margetts said the proposal to change the speed limit on the shire’s gravel roads to 70 kilometres an hour aimed to address those statistics.

Mr Margetts said police hosted the forum to gain the community’s input on the proposal. 

About 40 residents gathered at the Central Park rooms and had their say. 

Mr Margetts said it was pleasing to see so many residents voicing an opinion on the proposal. 

“It was fantastic to see so many people attend the forum,” Mr Margetts said. 

“We are very pleased with the turn out.”

Data from the Transport Accident Commission shows that 77 per cent of deaths on rural roads occur on roads that have a speed limit of, or more than, 100 kilometres an hour. 

The data also shows death rates for people on rural roads are higher than for people in metropolitan areas. 

Northern Grampians Shire Council facilitated the forum.