FUNDING from the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program will improve two dangerous crash sites in the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands municipalities.
The government will provide $255,870 for a project on a 600m section of Plenty Valley Rd, 4km west of the Glenfern Rd junction, and this funding will be matched by the Derwent Valley Council. The Central Highlands Council will receive $78,000 for works on Interlaken Rd.
The funding was announced by the federal Member for Lyons, Brian Mitchell, who chairs Tasmanian Black Spot Consultative Panel. A total of $2.6 million will go to Tasmanian Black Spot projects. “These will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on Tasmania’s roads and build on previous investments in the state,” Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell said the Derwent Valley Council’s project would rehabilitate and improve delineation along a 600m stretch of Plenty Valley Rd, and the Central Highlands Council project would widen a curve 11km south of the Dennistoun Rd junction on Interlaken Rd, making it safer for motorists.
“Tasmanians suffered a devastating 2022 with 53 people dying on our roads, a 60.6% increase from 2021. The Black Spot Consultative Panels in each state provide the opportunity for stakeholders to have their say in the project selection process and ensure nominations of the highest priority to the local community are recommended,” he said.
The Tasmanian panel includes Mr Mitchell as chair, and representatives from the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, Tasmanian Transport Association, Tasmanian Motorcycle Council, Tasmanian Bicycle Network, Tasmania Police, Local Government Association of Tasmania, and Department of State Growth. For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.
Pictured: A 600m stretch of Plenty Valley Rd will have a safety upgrade under the Black Spot Program.
