Joint media release

Motorists across Cowper have received a major road safety boost today with the Federal Government announcing it will invest $4 million toward five projects under the 2020–21 Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said five notorious black spots would be fixed.

“I have attended devastating road crashes at Plummers Lane at Clybucca when previously working as a police officer,” he said.

“I am so pleased this dangerous stretch near Summer Island Road will finally be fixed by the Morrison-McCormack Government along with two others on regional roads at Crescent Head and Yarrahapinni.

“Two busy intersections in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie will also be improved: the intersection of Combine Street and Azalea Avenue in Coffs and Gordon and Hollingworth Streets in Port Macquarie.

“Nobody knows dangerous blackspots better than locals, so I encourage you to nominate projects you would like to see done under future funding rounds.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced New South Wales would receive $50.6 million over two years under the latest round of program funding.

“The Federal Government’s record investment in upgrading roads is saving lives right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.

“As a regional Member for Parliament, I know first-hand how road crashes causing death and injury affect smaller communities.

“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.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said 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.

“Fixing the 147 black spots identified in New South Wales over the next 24 months will play a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal,” Mr Buchholz said.

“We are committed to making sure those living and travelling through New South Wales are able to do so more safely by providing the infrastructure they want, need and most importantly deserve.”

The road being improved at Crescent Head is Crescent Head Road from Berrys Lane to Maria River Road at a cost of $1,529,100. The Stuarts Point Road near Browns Road at Yarrahapinni will gain improvements worth $1,353,000. Work worth a total of $4,072,100 will occur across the electorate of Cowper.

The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013–14 to 2022–23 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 http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots

Media contacts
Mr McCormack – Hannah Maguire 0429 920 254
Mr Buchholz – Scott O’Connell 0413 424 384
Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744