Road safety funding grant extends to local government roads for first time

Regional local government roads will be upgraded through the State Government’s Regional Road Safety Program for the first time since it was established in 2020, with local authority figures saying it will have a “transformative impact”.

The $39 million worth of upgrades will go towards 27 local roads to seal their shoulders as well as installing audible line markings with the aim of reducing run-off crashes and head-on collisions — the most common and deadly crash types in regional areas.

Some of the funding announced includes more than $5.3 million for Bencubbin Beacon Road in the Wheatbelt, $3 million for the Ludlow Hithergreen Road in Busselton and $3.3 million for Allanooka Springs Road in Geraldton.

Funding also includes $950,000 to upgrade Coates Road in Northam, and $2.4m for Toodyay-Bindi Bindi Road and $820,000 for Wongan Hills-Waddington Road in Victoria Plains.

Shire of Victoria Plains president Pauline Bantock said the upgrades on the region’s “vital link” roads would save the lives of residents, farmers and visitors.

“This is a major step forward for the Shire, with a safer, more connected future now on the horizon,” she said.

“We’re proud to be part of a program that puts people first.”

Ms Bantock said the upgrades will support better access for emergency services, school transport, and community travel, helping residents feel safer and more confident on the road.

She also said they were expected to support local economic activity by enhancing freight routes and regional connectivity.

Construction for the two roads is scheduled to begin in October, with completion by June, 2027.

According to the State Government, a study from the UWA Centre for Road Safety Research showed a 50 per cent reduction in fatalities and 35 per cent reduction in serious injuries on roads covered by the project compared to the previous five years.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the expansion of the project would play an important role in reducing the road toll.

“With the vast majority of the State’s regional road network now upgraded, we’re proud to be expanding this program onto local government roads for the first time.

“Advancing works across both State and Local roads will play a pivotal role in reducing trauma on Western Australian roads.”