Almost $46 million is being invested by the New South Wales Government to deliver 16 new safety projects under the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, which aims to reduce crashes and save lives across the State.
Marking Rural Road Safety Month, this funding injection is directed to regional communities with a focus on the north including Armidale, Kyogle, Moree and the Clarence and Richmond Valleys.
Funding will also be committed for the west of the State including Young, Dubbo and the Liverpool Plains as well as for Junee in the Riverina.
The funding targets:
The upgrades are designed to reduce road trauma by addressing high-risk areas while improving infrastructure and are projected to prevent over 2,000 fatal or serious injuries. Works will include shoulder widening, new safety barriers, widening of centre lines, audio tactile markings and other improvements to help motorists.
“The upgrades to Mitchell Highway in the Dubbo region, Kamilaroi Highway in the Liverpool Plains, Olympic Highway in Hilltops and Newell Highway in the Moree plains, will boost safety for local communities.
“This is a win for the safety of country roads used by locals heading to town or trucks freighting crops, livestock and produce to market and the supplies back to farms.
“With this being Rural Road Safety Month, I would like to remind every driver to choose road safety first by slowing down and being alert. We all want you to get home safely,” Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said.
The new projects are funded through savings from earlier rounds of the program and will aim to reduce the number of serious crashes in high-risk rural areas. Transport for NSW will be carrying out the works.
Rural Road Safety Month is an annual initiative led by the Australian Road Safety Foundation and supported by the State Government. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the unique risks faced on country roads. This year’s theme is ‘Step Up For Rural Road Safety’.
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program was launched in 2023 and has since delivered $328.5 million across 198 safety projects statewide, including 54 delivery projects as well as 79 planning and development projects focused on high-risk rural and regional roads.
“The NSW Government is reinforcing its commitment to regional road safety, with nearly $46 million reinvested into upgrades like safety barriers, wider shoulders, and clearer line markings that benefit our regional communities.
“Infrastructure improvements are crucial to reducing crash risks and saving lives.
“We know around 70 per cent of all fatalities happen on regional roads, and 85 per cent of all fatal crashes on country roads involve a country resident. Rural Road Safety Month is a reminder for every motorist to take responsibility for yourself and for every life around you when on the state’s road network.
“Driving on country roads poses unique dangers. Environmental factors such as different road conditions and design, higher speed limits and increased roadside hazards such as wildlife contribute to a greater risk and severity of a crash on country roads.
“There’s no room for complacency. Take breaks, don’t drive under the influence, follow speed limits, watch for wildlife, and drive to conditions. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, please take extra care on rural roads,” Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
Towards Zero Safer Roads Program - September 2025
| Road | Upgrade | LGA Location | Funding |
| New England Highway | Installation of wide centre line, roadside barrier and shoulder widening on New England Highway at Tilbuster Ponds South, Black Mountain | Armidale Regional | $3.1 million |
| Oxley Highway | Installation of shoulder widening and safety improvement to corners on Oxley Highway at Honeysuckle Creek, Yarrowitch | Walcha | $1.5 million |
| Waterfall Way | Installation of roadside barrier, shoulder widening and safety improvement to corners on Waterfall Way at Old Hillgrove Roads, Metz | Armidale Regional | $2.6 million |
| Mitchell Highway | Installation of roadside barrier, audio tactile line marking, shoulder widening, road sealing and enhanced linemarking on Mitchell Highway at Kinghorn Road, Naurea | Dubbo Regional | $3 million |
| Summerland Way | Installation of roadside barrier and shoulder widening Summerland Way at Risk Road, The Risk | Kyogle | $2.1 million |
| Gwydir Highway | Installation of roadside barrier and shoulder widening on Gwydir Highway at Jackadgery Gap West, Jackadgery | Clarence Valley | $4.4 million |
| Bruxner Highway | Installation of roadside barrier and shoulder widening on Bruxner Highway at Rileys Creek East, Kyogle | Richmond Valley, Kyogle | $1.2 million |
| Olympic Highway | Installation of roadside barrier and shoulder widening at a culvert replacement on Olympic Highway 13km north of Young | Hilltops | $3.5 million |
| New England Highway | Installation of roadside barrier, wide centre line and shoulder widening on new England Highway at Newman Park, Black Mountain | Armidale Regional | $4.8 million |
| Illawarra Highway | Installaton of wide centre line, audio tactile line marking and shoulder widening on Illawarra Highway, 450m from bottom of Macquarie Pass | Shellharbour | $4.1 million |
| Waterfall Way | Installation of roadside barrier, shoulder widening and safety improvements to corners on Waterfall Way at Bullock Creek No.2, Ebor | Armidale Regional | $2.4 million |
| Kamilaroi Highway | Installation of roadside barrier, shoulder widening and improved superelevation on Kamilaroi Highway at Colly Creek, Willow Tree | Liverpool Plains | $2.2 million |
| Olympic Highway | Installation of roadside barrier and curve shoulder widening on Olympic Highway at North Bethungra | Junee | $1.7 million |
| Newell Highway | Installation of wide centre line and shoulder widening with pavement rehabilitation on Newell Highway at South Croppa, Tulloona | Moree Plains | $8.6 million |
“This investment is a win for the North Coast, with targeted upgrades to roads like the Summerland Way and Gwydir Highway helping to save lives.
“Rural Road Safety Month is an important reminder that country roads carry unique risks, and together we can step up for rural safety.
“Whether you’re commuting, visiting family, or moving freight – every journey on a regional and rural road should be a safe one,” Minister for North Coast Janelle Saffin said.
Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW