The Black Spot Program is set to deliver safety improvements at 16 high-risk sites in the Northern Territory with a $4 million commitment from the Federal Government.
This latest round of funding will deliver pedestrian safety improvements, safer intersections in Wagait Beach with new solar lighting, line marking and traffic calming measures, and the clearing of vegetation that obstructs sight lines for motorists.
The projects were endorsed by the Northern Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel, which ensures that nominations of the highest priority are put forward for approval.
The Northern Territory Consultative Panel includes representatives from the territory’s Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Road Transport Association, Automobile Association, Local Government Association, and police, fire and emergency services.
The Federal Government has substantially increased Black Spot Program funding, which, since 1 July, is progressively increasing from $110 to $150 million per year.
Further, the Roads to Recovery funding has already risen to $650 million in 2024 up from $500 million the previous year and will continue to rise to $1 billion by 2027-28 per year onwards.
These changes are to help ensure funding is stable, predictable and fair into the future.
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, said that she is pleased to announce this latest round of safety works in the Northern Territory.
“Thirty-one lives were tragically lost on Northern Territory roads in 2023, but the impact extends far beyond that, particularly to their families and friends,” Senator Brown said.
“The Federal Government is committed to reducing the crushing impact of road trauma, and we will continue to work closely with the Northern Territory Government to address these dangerous sites on roads across the territory.”
Chair of the Northern Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel, Luke Gosling, said that he is proud to work with the panel to make roads safer for all road users.
“30 lives have been lost so far this year on our roads and the territory’s road toll per capita is three times higher than in the rest of Australia,” Senator Gosling said.
“Each of us have a responsibility to make safe choices when navigating our roads, but we are also making sure that we are investing in safety improvements that can reduce the risk to road users.
“I know there is still work to be done, and I encourage anyone who knows of a Black Spot near them to consider nominating it for consideration by our local panel.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, said that the territory’s road toll is far too high, and that the government is committed to its long-term vision of zero deaths
“These projects to be delivered at black spot sites across the Top End will make an important difference in reducing serious injuries and deaths on Territory roads,” Chief Minister Lawler said.
Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Joel Bowden, said that this funding will save lives in the community and right across the Northern Territory.
“The Federal Government’s big investment in local roads will help people get home sooner and safer,” Minister Bowden said.
“From Wanguri to Girraween, Darwin to Batchelor – we’re fixing up roads right across the Northern Territory to make them safer for all motorists travelling on Territory roads.”
Image: ChameleonsEye/shutterstock.com
