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Black Spot Program

Funding Providers

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Location

Australia Wide

Funding Type

Cash grant G00525

Primary Category

Emergency and safety

Eligible to

  • State/Territory Governments
  • Not-for-Profits
  • Individuals
  • Unincorporated Groups
  • Universities
  • TAFEs
  • Local Governments
  • Schools
  • Businesses

Funding

Total pool: $1,100,000,000

Round(s)

Ongoing

Purpose

To reduce crashes on Australian roads and to target those road locations where crashes are occurring.

Overview

The Australian Government is progressively increasing the total commitment to the Black Spot Program to $150 million per year.

Road crashes are a major cost to Australians every year. Black Spot projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring. By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the program reduces the risk of crashes. Programs of this sort are very effective, saving the community many times the cost of the relatively minor road improvements that are implemented.

Nominations for Black Spot locations are invited from state and territory governments, local governments, community groups and associations, road user groups, industry and individuals. On receipt of a completed Black Spot nomination form, the relevant state and territory transport agency will examine the nominated site’s eligibility, and may undertake an economic assessment of a treatment proposal.

Nominations are considered annually by Black Spot Consultative Panels in each jurisdiction, who recommend projects for approval by the responsible Minister. Black Spot Consultative Panels are chaired by a Member of Parliament or Senator appointed by the responsible Minister and consist of representatives drawn from community and road user groups, industry, Australian and local government, and state road and transport agencies. The Panels provide the opportunity for stakeholders to have a say in the project selection process, and ensure that nominations of the highest priority and importance to the local community are recommended for approval.

Limitations

Community groups, motorist organisations, industry organisations, councils and individuals are invited to nominate Black Spot sites around Australia to be considered for treatment.

What makes a site eligible for funding?

Funding is mainly available for the treatment of Black Spot sites, or road lengths, with a proven history of crashes. Project proposals should be able to demonstrate a benefit to cost ratio of at least 2 to 1.

For individual sites such as intersections, mid-block or short road sections, there should be a history of at least three casualty crashes over a five-year period. For lengths of road, there should be an average of 0.2 casualty crashes per kilometre per annum over the length in question over five years.

The requirement of a history of crashes ensures that those sites that have a recurrent problem are targeted first for treatment.

The Black Spot Program also recognises that there are road locations that could be considered as 'accidents waiting to happen'. Therefore, some program funds may be used to treat sites where road traffic engineers have completed a Road Safety Audit and found that remedial work is necessary. This allows an opportunity for proactive safety works to be undertaken before casualties occur.

Funds cannot be used for the purchase of road-building plant or equipment, or for operational or maintenance costs.

Apply

We take pride in ensuring our data is up to date and accurate, but you should not rely on our data alone. Please double-check important information on the funder's website before applying.