In March 2024, Northern Grampians Shire Council received $1,811,779 in funding under the Australian Government's 2023-24 Black Spot Program.
Every year, hundreds of Australians lose their lives or are seriously injured in road crashes. The Black Spot program improves road safety and helps prevent serious injuries and deaths on our roads. Black Spot projects target dangerous road locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring. The Australian Government provides funding for measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at Black Spots, reducing the risk of crashes.
There has been a high rate of vehicle accidents along Sloane Street in Stawell with increasing indications that a serious injury could occur. Rather than waiting for someone to be significantly impacted in a road collision, Council applied for Black Spot funding which was granted in March last year to aid with the implementation of several risk mitigation solutions.
Works involve speed reductions, new roundabouts, new center medians, new kerb outstands, improved signage and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The works have been delivered at multiple locations along Sloane Street from Patrick Street all the way through to the Western Highway.
The following eight road safety enhancement projects are being delivered under this funding, with final works under Project Eight to be completed by early March 2025.
Project summary: Works involve installing kerb outstands to improve sight distance at the intersection. Bicycle lanes will be installed, and pedestrian facilities improved.
Project status: Nearing completion
Project update (February 17, 2025): Resealing and line-marking works, along with the installation of street lighting, are scheduled for completion in February.
Project summary: Works involve installing kerb outstands to improve sight distance at the intersection.
Project status (February 17, 2025): Nearing completion
Project update (February 17, 2025): Resealing and line-marking works, along with the installation of street lighting, are all scheduled for completion in February.
Project summary: Works involve installing kerb outstands to improve sight distance at the intersection. Bicycle lanes will be installed and pedestrian facilities improved.
Project summary: Works involve the installation of a new roundabout at the Shirreff Street intersection. This will provide a much safer intersection for all road users. Works also include the installation of median islands at Dawson Street.
Project summary: Works involve the installation of a new roundabout at the Cooper Street intersection. This will provide a much safer intersection for all road users.
Project summary: Road widening will be undertaken to accommodate for bike lanes on both sides of Sloane Street from the Western Highway to Cooper Street.
Project summary: The speed along Sloane Street currently varies from 50km/h to 60km/h. It has been decided that Sloane Street should be made 50km/h from Patrick Street through to Cooper Street. The section of Sloane Street from Cooper Street to the Western Highway will remain at 60km/h.
Project status (February 17, 2025): In progress
October 2023
Complete detailed design for projects:
December 2023
Construction period:
February 2024 to February 2025
This project aligns with Council's Rural Road Safety Plan 2021-2025 and Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022 which include critical safety focus areas such as rural road safety, safety around schools, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and safer speeds in urban areas.
Read more:
Rural Road Safety Plan 2021-2025
Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022
Phone: 03 5358 8700
Email:nic.murphy@ngshire.vic.gov.au