Federal funding to fix 24 black spots in Tasmania

Twenty-four dangerous crash sites on Tasmanian roads will be substantially improved over the next 12 months thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.
 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the state would receive $3.5 million under the program’s 2020-21 funding round, with councils contributing a further $1.7 million to the successful projects.
 
“This major investment is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building safer roads right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
 
“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of 47 crashes causing injuries, with one fatality recorded over the past five years – that’s why we are moving to make them safer.”
 
The Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated Gavin Pearce MP on his appointment to the role of Chair of the Tasmanian Black Spots Consultative Panel.
 
“Mr Pearce assumes this important leadership role in the Black Spot program at a significant time, as we work to make Tasmanian roads safer.
 
“I have no doubt he will approach this role with the same energy and enthusiasm he brings to Canberra, where he so ably represents the people of Braddon.”
 
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 24 Black Spot projects across Tasmania would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on Tasmanian roads.
 
“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that, on average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent,” Mr Buchholz said.
 
“This is why the Australian Government has committed $1.05 billion to the Black Spot Program nationwide from 2013-14 to 2022-23 to improve road safety. 
 
“These 24 sites selected for safety upgrades are in addition to the 123 Black Spot projects already completed or in progress across Tasmania to improve road safety and get Tasmanians home sooner and safer.”
 
Federal Member for Braddon and Chair of the Tasmanian Black Spot Consultative Panel Gavin Pearce said this investment in Black Spot projects would deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout Tasmania.
 
“The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at road locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred or are at risk of occurring,” Mr Pearce said.
 
“The panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the Tasmanian Police, Tasmanian Motorcycle Council, Tasmanian Bicycle Council, the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Transport Association, the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the Department of State Growth.”
 
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.

2020–21 Black Spot Program – Tasmania

  
Media Contact:

Mr McCormack – Dean Shachar 0418 202 860
Mr Buchholz – Scott O’Connell 0413 424 384
Mr Pearce – (03) 6431 1333