Funding is available for initiatives to improve the physical condition or management of locations with a record of casualty crashes, as well as sites identified as potential crash locations.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $2,000,000
- Application opened: 4 August 2023
- Application closed: 13 October 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The objective of black spot projects is to reduce the social and economic costs of road trauma by:
- identifying and applying cost-effective treatment of locations with a record of casualty crashes
- placing significant focus on the need to reduce rural road trauma, in accordance with national road safety policy objectives
- using a proportion of funds to treat sites identified as potential crash locations, and to implement other road safety measures.
The Black Spot Program makes an important contribution in reducing the national road toll under the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, providing financial assistance to improve the physical condition or management of sites noted for a high incidence of crashes involving death and injury.
The Australian Government contributes up to 100% funding for black spot projects under this program.
This program is funded and administered by Transport for NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Nominations for black spot locations are invited from:
- state and territory governments
- local councils, community groups and associations
- road user groups, industry and individuals.
Note: Individuals and community groups will need to apply through their local council.
Project eligibility
- at least 3 casualty crashes over a 5-year period for locations under 3km
- for lengths of 3km or more; an average casualty crash rate of 0.2 crashes per kilometre per year
- BCR greater than 2
- total project cost $2 million or less
- proactive proposals with a road safety audit or Safe Systems Assessment
- multi-year projects (development only proposals are not eligible – must have delivery).
Types of projects funded under this grant
Black spot projects focus on locations where the highest benefits can be achieved. Works eligible for funding may include safety-related construction, alteration or remedial treatment.
Black spot projects also aim to encourage the implementation of safety-related traffic management techniques and other road safety measures that have proven road safety value. This includes traffic signs, traffic control equipment and street lighting.
Black spot projects undertaken as part of larger works
Discrete sites or lengths to be treated as part of a larger project or program of works may be nominated for Black Spot Program funding.
Any site or length must meet the eligibility criteria for funding and be accompanied by evidence that the crash statistics supporting the nomination relate to the discrete site or length for which funding is sought.
What your application needs to include
For full details, refer to the program guidelines (PDF 6.23MB) (Appendix D).
For a copy of the guidelines in an accessible format, contact us.
Regional and outer metropolitan contact: pmsafety@transport.nsw.gov.au
Greater Sydney contact: sydney.blackspot.nominations@transport.nsw.gov.au
Address the eligibility criteria
For your nomination to be considered, you must provide the following information:
- location-specific information relating to the project
- relevant crash data for the specified 5-year period (01/07/2017 to 30/06/2022) including a detailed crash diagram
- site sketch or design
- detailed cost estimate showing breakdown of costs and risk based contingency.
Up to 30% of Black Spot Program funds may be used to treat sites that may not meet the above crash history criteria, but that have been recommended for treatment in an official road safety audit or relevant assessment methodology report. See 'Proactive proposals'.
Proactive proposals
Proactive proposals (that do not meet the minimum reactive eligibility criteria) require a road safety audit or a Safe System Assessment.
Start the application
All project proposals must be prepared and submitted through the Safer Roads Program Management System (Online Portal).
After the application is submitted
Integrity checks will be held from mid-October 2023. Transport for NSW representatives undertake these checks and may contact councils if there is anything additional required from councils to prepare the proposal for the Safe Systems Review Committee.
Safe Systems Review Committees will be held in November 2023. Following the committee, projects will either be endorsed, not endorsed, or returned to the applicant if additional information is required. For returned projects council will have about 2 weeks to provide additional information and resubmit.
As this is an Australian Government funded program, all approvals will be provided by the Australian Government. TfNSW will submit applications for approval to the Australian government in February 2024.
Support and contact
For further information or help with your application, email Transport for NSW's Safer Roads.
Greater Sydney contact: sydney.blackspot.nominations@transport.nsw.gov.au
Regional and outer metropolitan contact: pmsafety@transport.nsw.gov.au