Residents of the Mallee electorate received a major road safety boost today with the Australian Government announcing it will invest $1.8 million toward 2 projects under the 2021–22 Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, said community input was critical to identifying key black spots in the electorate.

“Road accidents create devastating emotional and economic stress on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victims,” Dr Webster said.

“I am pleased to see that projects like the Curlewis Street and Naretha Street intersection in Swan Hill will be delivered under the 2021–22 funding round, receiving $511,000.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to securing our recovery and keeping our communities safe.

“Motorists living within and visiting Mallee will be pleased to know 2 notorious black spots in the electorate will be fixed with funding from the program.

“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce announced Victoria would receive $25.8 million in 2021-22 under the latest round of program funding.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to making roads safer in Victoria and right across the nation,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Representing a regional electorate myself, I know first-hand how road crashes causing death and injury affect smaller communities, so I am very pleased to be able to announce today the details of how this round of Black Spot funding will be distributed.

“By specifically targeting road locations with a history or risk of crashes for safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts, the Black Spot Program reduces crashes causing injury and death at those sites by around 30 per cent.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 51 Black Spot projects across West Australia would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on West Australian roads and built on previous investments in the state.

“This Government is investing in road safety upgrades right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer, as even one death or one serious injury crash on our roads is one too many,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in Victoria rise to $64.3 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”

The Australian Government has committed a record $1.1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013–14 to 2023–24 to improve road safety across the nation.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.

Mallee

Murray Valley Highway (Curlewis Street) Naretha Street at Swan Hill: $511,000 to ban right turn and through traffic movements from Naretha Street, install a splitter island on the Naretha Street and larger signage. Naretha Street and the Murray Valley Highway will be widened to accommodate heavy vehicle turning paths;$511,000  Seventeenth Street 100m north west of Benetook Avenue at Mildura: $1,316,000 to construct raised safety platforms, painted island squeeze points with 80 to 60km/h speed reduction, stop to give way on minor road approaches. Seal shoulders, upgrade signage, and reduce speed from 100 to 80km/h on major road approaches;$1,316,000