Pictured on Werris Creek Road in Quirindi
New England motorists received a major road safety boost today with the Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government announcing it will invest a further $470,000 in the Werris Creek Road project under the 2019-20 Black Spot Program.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the region will be made safer thanks to the Government’s investment.
“I am pleased to see the latest upgrade on Werris Creek Road, south of Woodlands Road at Currabubula, will be delivered under the 2019–20 funding round,” Mr Joyce said.
“It follows last year’s announcement of an additional $497,149 in funding under the black spot program for further upgrades on Werris Creek Road, about 2.5km north of Duri-Dungowan Road.
“That’s nearly $1million in upgrades announced for Werris Creek Road within the last year under the Coalition Government.
“Motorists living within and visiting the New England will be pleased to know that notorious black spots like these and others around the Tamworth Shire including the new roundabout at the corner of Browns Lane and Moore Creek Road, will be fixed with funding from the program.
“Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities, but particularly the families and friends of the victims.”
He added the community’s input was critical to identifying key black spots in the electorate.
“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I’d encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds,” Mr Joyce said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said New South Wales would receive $16.47 million under the latest round of program funding.
“The Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government is committed to making roads safer in NSW and right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“Representing a regional NSW electorate myself, I know first-hand how fatal road crashes 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 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.
“Under the National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020, the Australian, state and territory governments have committed to reducing the numbers of deaths and serious injuries recorded on the nation’s roads by at least 30 per cent by 2020.
“Fixing the 78 black spots identified in NSW over the next 12 months will play a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal.”
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, click here.
(ENDS)