Black Spot funding to upgrade roads in Maryborough and Gympie

Residents of Wide Bay received a major road safety boost today with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing $1,367,000 towards three projects in Gympie and Maryborough under the 2022–23 Black Spot Program.

“Motorists using the intersection of Tozer Street, Mellor Street and Station Road in Gympie will benefit from a $419,000 upgrade to protect turning traffic and improve pedestrian linkages by installing separate phases and dynamic warning signs,” Mr O’Brien said.

“North Deep Creek Road will be made safer with $673,000 to be spent on widening the curve and improving the road’s horizontal alignment.

“In Maryborough the intersection of Ariadne Street and Woodstock Street will receive a $275,000 upgrade through a range of treatments to improve pedestrian crossing and general flow of traffic by installing raised priority crossing, signage, kerb ramps and removing on street angled parking.”

The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred or are at risk of occurring.

“Community input is critical to identifying key black spots on roads in Wide Bay,” Mr O’Brien said.

“As a former Police Officer and Traffic Accident Investigator, I went to many road crashes and I know they placed a major emotional strain on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victims,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Works funded by the Black Spot program can include reinforced signage, bitumen seal, pedestrian displays, crosswalks, kerb ramps and pathways, and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.”

“Projects like these upgrades to three intersections in Gympie and Maryborough will be delivered under the 2022-2023 funding round.”

Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig said these vital upgrades are essential to ensuring the road network is as safe as possible for residents and visitors to the Gympie region.

“The Black Spot Program is a fantastic initiative and one that I am happy to support as it ultimately helps to make our roads safer,” Mayor Hartwig said.

“I would like to thank Llew and the Federal Government for continuing to provide financial assistance that improves our road network,” he said.

 Fraser Coast Regional Council Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said it was great to see Fraser Coast roads being upgraded through the Black Spot Program.

“Upgrades through the Black Spot Program are welcome support from the Federal Government to create safer roads and intersections across the Fraser Coast, and I look forward to nominating other locations,” Cr Truscott said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would continue to make roads safer across the nation.

“The Government is committed to reducing deaths on our roads and sparing families from the immeasurable impact these tragedies have,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Funding under the Black Spot Program will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to some of the most dangerous sections of our roads, making them safer and keeping commuters and freight moving.

“The Government is investing more than $25 billion in road safety projects over the next four years.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the Government’s funding would will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on our roads, and build on previous investments.

“This Government is investing in road safety right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“This funding is part of the Government’s $1.3 billion commitment to the
Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2025-26 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.