Electronic message signs have been in place for more than a week now informing people of the intention to change the speed limit on a five kilometre stretch of Sapphire Coast Drive from near the Bournda Road turnoff to the Red Hill Road turnoff.  

A Roads and Maritime spokesman said a speed zone review along a section of Sapphire Coast Drive was carried out in February. It found the number of residential property accesses made a lower speed limit more appropriate.

The speed limit will be changed from 100kmh to 80kmh from 300 metres south of Bournda Road to 300 metres south of Red Hill Road at Bournda.

Although the electronic signs advise that the speed limit with change will be in place as of April 7, the RMS spokesman said the new speed limit will be implemented from Thursday,  April 28. 

The speed limit change has had mixed responses from locals. 

Tathra resident Ian Robertson is strongly against a change to the current speed limit. 

“I know that a section of this road requires a responsible driver to drive at less than the posted speed limit, but I believe this only applies to a small portion of the distance to which the new speed limit will apply,” he said.

“As a driver of many years standing with a heavy vehicle driver's licence, and as a driver with a near-perfect driving record, in my opinion most of the 5km can be safely driven at or near the currently posted speed limit.” 

Mr Robertson has contacted the RMS as well as the Bega Valley Shire Council to voice his concerns about the changes, but it seems as though the decision has been made. 

Bournda resident Kaye Jensen, who lives on a property adjacent to Sapphire Coast Drive, said she believes lowering the speed limit is a good idea. 

“There are so many accidents on this road, especially with people hitting wildlife at night,” Ms Jensen said. 

The sign indicating the change in speed limit is only metres away from where there was a motorbike crash last week.

At 5.15pm on Thursday, March 31, a motorcycle rider heading north along Sapphire Coast Drive was involved in a single vehicle crash near the Bournda Rd intersection. The rider was taken to hospital in a stable condition.