The Minns Labor Government has introduced new legislation to support the removal of construction speed limits outside of active construction hours, where safe to do so.
Dylan Anderson
Legislative Action
On 10 September 2025, the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was presented to Parliament. The bill requires all road authorities, including local councils and their contractors, to follow a new Standard that mandates the correct installation, maintenance, and removal of roadwork speed limit signage.
Current Issue
Currently, temporary construction speed limits often remain in place outside of construction hours, even when the road is clear and no work is being carried out. This has led to reduced travel speeds on unobstructed roads.
New Requirements
Under the new law:
- Road authorities must comply with a Standard to be published by Transport for NSW in the Gazette.
- Speed limit signs must be removed when work is not occurring, provided it is safe to do so.
- The system will align NSW with existing practices in Victoria and South Australia.
Implementation Timeline
- Stakeholder consultation is ongoing.
- The finalised Standard is expected by the end of 2025.
- Implementation of the new system is scheduled for 2026.
Dylan Anderson
Related Measures
This initiative forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader road reform agenda, which includes:
- Activation of seatbelt enforcement using the existing mobile phone detection camera network.
- Closure of a licensing loophole requiring all motorists on foreign licences to convert to a NSW licence within six months.
- Extension of the demerit return trial, rewarding over 1 million offence-free drivers.
Further updates will be provided once the Standard is finalised and published by Transport for NSW.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
