The New South Wales Government is set to invest $45 million in council-nominated road safety projects for regional areas.
This comes from an additional $80 million investment into the Towards Zero Safer roads program, following an additional $200 million recently announced for regional projects on state roads, managed by Transport for NSW.
To be provided over three years, this funding will allow for the delivery of 23 road safety projects and to progress the implementation of three 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Areas on roads maintained by local councils in regional New South Wales.
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program is a road safety infrastructure upgrade and speed management program aimed at delivering sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma across the New South Wales road network by addressing high risk locations.
The program aligns with the Future Transport Strategy vision to achieve zero road trauma by 2050 and is a cornerstone of the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, which aims to halve fatalities and reduce serious injuries by 30 per cent on New South Wales roads by 2030.
Examples of the improvements this round of the program will provide to local communities in the regions include the installation of pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, shoulder upgrades and road widenings to help reduce the risk of crashes.
The program builds on the success of the previous Safer Roads Program, which is estimated to save up to 1,550 serious injuries and lives over the lifetime of the program.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that even though regional New South Wales only makes up a third of the state’s population, two thirds of road-related deaths happen on country roads.
“The State Government has provided more than half of funding for these council projects to regional councils,” Minister Aitchison said.
“I am pleased to say 23 regional council-nominated projects have secured funding under this round of funding which will result in much needed infrastructure for regional New South Wales.
“A highlight of the funding will be the delivery of three High Pedestrian Activity Areas to regional suburbs in the state’s north including at Fingal Bay, Charlestown and Wollombi Village to protect pedestrians.
“This investment will go a long way to ensure everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones.”
Details of each funded project is available here.
