New Black Spot funding to deliver safer South Australian roads
The Albanese Labor Government continues to invest in high-priority safety improvements on local roads across South Australia in partnership with the Malinauskas Labor Government, with 13 dangerous sites to get crucial safety upgrades.
We are committing $8.9 million to fully fund the upgrades under the 2024-25 Black Spot Program.
The program funds safety measures at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.
Safety improvements being funded under this latest round of works include a new roundabout, safety barriers, improved line-marking and a scramble crossing.
These 13 Black Spot projects will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on South Australian roads, on which 117 lives were tragically lost in 2023.
The sites were consulted through a Black Spot Consultative panel.
Black Spot Consultative Panels provide the opportunity for stakeholders to have a say in the project selection process, and ensure that nominations of the highest priority and importance to the local community are recommended for approval.
The South Australian Consultative Panel includes representatives from the Traffic Management Association of Australia, SA Police, SA Freight Council, Bicycle SA, Local Government Associations and the Royal Automobile Association.
The Albanese Labor Government has substantially increased Black Spot Program funding, which, since July 1, is progressively increasing from $110 to $150 million per year.
Further, the Roads to Recovery funding has already increased to $650 million this year up from $500 million last year, and will continue to increase to $1 billion by 2027-28 per year onwards.
These changes will also help ensure funding is stable, predictable and fair into the future.
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au.(external site)
Quotes
Attributable to Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:
“Road safety is a matter that impacts all Australians, each and every day.
“Our strong investment demonstrates the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to building safer roads, reducing the crushing impacts of road trauma.
“We recently announced a progressive increase to our annual commitment to the Black Spot Program, rising from $110 million to $150 million across the country.
“This program is driven by communities, for communities. I encourage anyone who knows of a Black Spot near them to consider nominating that site for investigation.
“It’s our vision that we have zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads across South Australia and the nation.
Attributable to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis:
“We welcome this latest Black Spot funding from the Australian Government as we continue to work together to deliver critical safety improvements at high-risk locations across the state.
“Already this year we’ve lost 50 lives on our roads. One life lost is one too many and these projects can help to reduce the risk of road crashes and trauma on South Australian roads.
“Forty percent of lives lost and serious injuries that occur on South Australian Roads every year are on regional roads. This latest funding includes $5 million for four projects in country areas, which will help improve road safety for our regional communities.”
Attributable to Federal Member for Makin and Chair of the South Australian Black Spot Consultative Panel Tony Zappia:
“I am pleased to announce this latest round of Black Spot Projects in South Australia. Across these 13 sites, more than 70 injury crashes have occurred in the five years to 2022, including four fatalities.
“The Black Spot Program delivers simple and effective treatments that will significantly boost safety at these dangerous locations.
“I know there’s more work to be done, and I encourage anyone who knows of a Black Spot near them to consider nominating that site for treatment under this program.”
Attributable to State Member for Dunstan Cressida O’Hanlon:
“As we have more urban infill to address housing shortages, meaning more cars on our roads, the need to ensure road safety for all users continues to be at the forefront of our minds.
I welcome this latest Black Spot funding from the Australian Government to address pedestrian and cyclist safety at the intersection of Kensington Road & George / Giles Streets.
There is always more work to be done and I encourage the community to contact me with any suggestions for future funding under Black Spot Programs.”
Attributable to Senator for South Australia, Marielle Smith:
“Every South Australian motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian should be safe on our roads.
“Funding to provide upgrades like the new median island on Kensington Road supports all members of the community – including children, older people, and those using mobility aids – to safely and confidently use our roads.”