Council endorses $1.9m black spot wish list

14 July 2021

At today’s Ordinary Meeting, Southern Downs Regional Council continued its commitment to road safety by endorsing a $1.9m wish list of road improvement projects to be progressed for funding application under the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program.

Council’s submission will target 15 of the region’s roads and intersections to reduce potential road accidents and fatalities.  

Southern Downs Councillor Andrew Gale is a strong advocate for road safety and said Council played a pivotal role in steering road safety in the right direction.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and it’s important that Council is proactive in identifying and addressing road safety issues.  The black spot funding program is a great way to address these identified problems,” Councillor Gale said.

“As part of a comprehensive and ongoing schedule of safety upgrades and improvements to our roads, Council continues to address traffic areas of concern in the interest of all road users – locals and visitors alike.”

Under its funding criteria, the Government classifies black spots as either reactive or proactive: reactive sites are roads or intersections which have a crash history and proactive sites are ones considered potentially hazardous. 

In its latest submission, Council will apply for $1,877k for proactive projects and $90k for reactive projects.

Black spot projects which 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.

The Federal Government’s Black Spot Program is funded through the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Council’s list of projects will need to be approved before any works can commence.

Council’s black spot submissions for 2022/23 includes:

• Denham Street, Stanthorpe
• Horsman Road, Warwick
• Glen Road & Willi Street, Warwick
• Albert Street & Dragon Street, Warwick
• Ann Street & Glen Road, Warwick
• Freestone Creek Road, Freestone
• Hendon Deuchar Road, Deuchar
• Paynes Road, Freestone
• Maryvale Road, Maryvale
• Whiskey Gully Road & Yellowbox Road, Stanthorpe
• Mary Street, Warwick
• McMasters Road, Upper Freestone
• Corundum Street & Marsh Street, Stanthorpe
• Willow Street & Acacia Street, Killarney
• Old Stanthorpe Road, Cherry Gully