23 May 2023
Targeting notorious traffic black spots for upgrades is a vital part of Southern Downs Regional Council’s commitment to building better, safer roads, and the community is now invited to nominate local high-risk roads and intersections for funding consideration.
Council will apply to address traffic areas of concern through the Australian Government’s 2024/25 Black Spot Program and will submit specific projects for approval following community feedback.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said traffic accidents have an enormous human toll and the Black Spot Program is an effective measure to improve road safety.
“Each year, road crashes and fatal accidents disrupt and destroy lives,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“Ongoing upgrades and improvements made through the Black Spot Program play a crucial role in improving road safety and addressing identified areas of concern.
“The Australian Government and Council are committed to working together to build better, safer roads across the region for all road users, whether they are locals or visitors who travel here to enjoy everything our unique region has to offer.
“The Black Spot Program is a vital component of Council’s comprehensive program of road works designed to ensure that the most hazardous roads are targeted for improvement.
“Our community knows our local roads best and I encourage residents to submit areas of concern for funding consideration.”
Under its funding criteria, the Government classifies black spots as either reactive or proactive: reactive sites are roads or intersections that have a crash history and proactive sites are ones that are considered potentially hazardous.
Some program funds may be approved to treat sites where road traffic engineers have completed a Road Safety Audit and found that remedial work is necessary so proactive safety works to be undertaken before casualties occur.
Black Spot projects that meet the funding criteria include safety works such as improving sight distances, improving curves, removing road side hazards, increasing safety at intersections and providing protection to pedestrians.
Council’s proposed projects will need to be submitted and approved by the Federal Government before any works can commence.
The Australian Government’s Black Spot Program is funded through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and is administered through the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Council would appreciate community feedback on locations with road safety concerns to be submitted prior to Wednesday 7 June 2023 online at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/have-your-say or via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.
Last edited date 09 Jun 2023