When is a town no longer a town?
As farms get bigger and populations decline, it's a question small rural communities across Australia are asking.
It is a domino effect: the football club is forced to merge, the last bank leaves town, then the pub and general store close up, until there is little left to stop for.
A line was crossed for locals in the Victorian Mallee town of Torrita when authorities decided they were no longer noteworthy enough to slow down for.
Torrita sits on a major highway between Sydney and Adelaide, not far from the South Australian border.
The 80km/h speed limit signage was removed, meaning traffic could legally plough through the town at 110km/h.
For drivers it's a difference of about eight seconds
"They just thought no-one lived here any more and it wasn't worth [slowing down] through the little town," local Lyn Pryse said.
"There are people dying on regional roads; we were just asking for people to slow down."
The action was sparked by Mildura City Councillor Greg Brown, who told VicRoads that slowing down to 80km/h was an unnecessary inconvenience.
"There are only two houses in the town and there's no-one in the old shop; it's deserted," Councillor Brown said.
"There are a lot of people who wanted it at 110km/h, not just me."
'We are still here': Torrita locals describe safety issues
Based on Councillor Brown's claims, VicRoads staff did not consult with Torrita locals before removing signage.
If they had, they would have heard about a hive of activity that is not readily seen.
Of most concern was the welfare of students who catch the bus to and from Torrita every school day.
Jade Brauer, 18, said the bus driver would often veer on and off the highway, to avoid the trucks that roared up behind it.
"[Mum] wouldn't let us cross the road by ourselves because of how dangerous it was," Ms Brauer said.
There are also about 20 farmers who regularly shift livestock and 20-metre-long machinery through the town.
"Farmers always talk about near misses and things like that — it's just a nightmare," farmer Geoff Mead said.
On certain days you'll also find 10 bins lined up for collection and locals, like Bernadette Stone, checking their mail box.
"This is home and all of a sudden you're non-existent almost," Ms Stone said.
"It's the same everywhere though, isn't it? The little towns seem to get smaller and smaller and they become insignificant — except to the people who were born and bred there."
Battle against bureaucracy
Led by Lyn Pryse, Torrita locals set about to prove they were worth eight seconds of a driver's time.
Police officers, paramedics, teachers and truck drivers were among more than 200 people who signed a petition.
"I guess I was very persistent," Ms Pryse said.
"We just weren't prepared to give up at all; we were going to fight this right to the end."
State MP Ali Cupper joined the campaign, describing her own "scary" experience on the highway at Torrita.
"As soon as you have an issue that involves the safety of children, then it's almost like the argument is done and dusted," Ms Cupper said.
Stan Stone saw it as a misunderstanding and expected authorities to return the signs.
"It was pretty simple [but] they made it tough; that's why the country's going broke," he said.
It was a battle that raged on for 16 months
VicRoads staged a 12-month review to examine whether the decision to remove signs was appropriate or not.
The final recommendation was to install 90km/h signage.
"They were never going to admit that it was a wrong move, so 90km/h was to shut us up," Ms Pryse said.
"But we're happy with that."
Alas there were no 90km/h signs in production, so new ones had to be manufactured.
Then they were delivered to the wrong town.
VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said his department had acted on advice from local government.
With hindsight, he would approach things differently.
"Perhaps we need to put in another check to see if there are people who live around the area," Mr Kersting said.
"I think we've got some learnings from it and we'll make sure we try and avoid that happening again."
'Never give up'
Now that the speed limit is 90km/h, locals say drivers will only add about seven seconds to their trip as they pass through the town of Torrita.
It's not the eight seconds they wanted, but perhaps it's just long enough to acknowledge what is, and what will always be, someone's home town.
"You think we are a small town and we wouldn't get listened to, but there are people out there who do care," Ms Brauer said.
"It taught me to keep fighting for the right thing and never give up until you get it."
