ROAD SAFETY FUNDING FLOWS TO BARKER

New road safety upgrades and improvements will be delivered in Barker thanks to funding from the Australian and state governments.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the timing couldn’t be better for funding to flow for crucial road safety improvements in Barker.

“This vital funding is not only providing a much-needed boost to local jobs and the economy, it is delivering life-saving upgrades to ensure road users stay safe on our roads,” Mr Pasin said.

“I am pleased to see a total of $11,220,000 will be shared across communities in Barker to fund new road safety upgrades and improvements to help reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries occurring on our roads.” Mr Pasin said.

“One death or one serious injury crash on our roads is one too many and that is why this investment is so welcome.” Mr Pasin said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the additional works under the $2 billion Road Safety Program will commence in January 2021 and be completed by mid-2022, improving safety and supporting jobs right across the country.

“This funding will deliver key lifesaving improvements such as shoulder sealing, rumble strips to alert drivers they are moving out of their lane, median works to prevent head-on collisions and barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes and protect against roadside hazards,” Mr McCormack said.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility right through all levels of government to all of us who use the road, which is why the Australian Government is investing heavily in road safety upgrades across Australia.”

The Australian Government’s funding for the Road Safety Program is subject to ‘use it or lose it’ provisions and will deliver life-saving works on regional roads and to protect vulnerable road users across the state, while also supporting local jobs and providing a welcome boost to local economies.

The ‘use it or lose it’ provisions require states and territories to use their notionally allocated funds within a timeframe, or the funds can be reallocated to projects in other jurisdictions.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said road safety was a key priority for the Australian Government and this investment in road upgrades would provide a boost to the economy while ensuring Australians can get home sooner and safer.

“Making our roads safer is a critical component of our work to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads and move towards achieving vision zero,” Mr Buchholz said.

“Projects are already underway through the $500 million Targeted Road Safety COVID stimulus package and this additional funding complements that work, resulting in an even greater roll out of improved infrastructure and roads right across the nation.”

For more information on the Australian Government’s road safety initiatives, visit www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au.

Ends.