JENNY AITCHISON
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

MEDIA RELEASE - $45 MILLION FOR REGIONAL COUNCILS TO BOOST ROAD SAFETY

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to improve road safety in regional NSW with $45 million to be provided to council-nominated road safety projects across 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 40 km/h High Pedestrian Activity Areas on roads maintained by local councils in regional NSW.

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 NSW 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 NSW 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.

Details of each funded project is available here

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Even though regional NSW only makes up a third of the NSW population, sadly two thirds of deaths on our roads happen on country roads.

“The Minns Labor Government has provided more than half of funding for these council projects to regional councils.

“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 NSW.

“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."

MEDIA: Wendy Fitzgibbon | Minister Aitchison | 0408 427 540