Local Governments Receive Regional Road Safety Boost

• Cook Labor Government funding second tranche of local government road projects under expanded Regional Road Safety Program
• Nearly $34 million allocated to deliver life-saving safety upgrades on regional roads
• 24 new projects and more than 430 kilometres of local road network to be upgraded
• Cook Labor Government committed to improving safety across Western Australia’s road network

A second tranche of 24 projects will receive funding under the Cook Labor Government’s landmark Regional Road Safety Program (RRSP) following its expansion to local government roads.

The Cook Labor Government will invest a further $33.9 million to upgrade an additional 430 kilometres of local roads, including across the Wheatbelt and South West.

Works will predominantly be delivered by local governments and include the sealing of road shoulders and the installation of audible edge and centre lines to reduce the risk of run-off or head-on collisions.

It is the second tranche of local government road projects to receive funding under the program, after it was expanded to include local government roads in 2025.

The expansion was backed by a $125 million investment from the Cook Labor Government over five years, with the government continuing to seek matching funding from the Federal Government for the program.

Tranche 1 of the expansion to local roads allocated more than $39 million across 27 projects to upgrade 428 kilometres of regional roads, with works currently underway across the State.

The RRSP was established in 2020 to address run-off and head-on road crashes, one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities on regional roads.

Since the RRSP was launched, around $1 billion has been invested to upgrade 10,000 kilometres of the regional road network with cost effective treatments such as sealed shoulders and audible edge and centre lines.

The investment is part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to improving safety on Western Australia’s regional road network.

As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

“Local governments play a critical role in maintaining our State’s vast road network, which is why we’re delivering $125 million over five years to help them deliver vital safety upgrades.

“With work already underway on the first tranche of local government road projects, this additional funding will help even more councils deliver cost effective road treatments that make a life-saving difference.

“We’re proud of the significant investment made through our landmark Regional Road Safety Program which has made thousands of kilometres of regional roads safer.

“We know this investment is making an impact, with research showing a significant reduction in fatalities and serious crashes on roads upgraded under the program.

“It’s all part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to keeping people safe on regional roads and reducing the devastating impacts of road trauma.”

As stated by Acting Road Safety Minister Dr Tony Buti:

“The Cook Labor Government is delivering on our commitment to invest in regional roads because every community deserves safe and reliable roads, so these upgrades will help make everyday journeys safer for every road user.

“This funding is about delivering practical improvements where they’re needed most, and by working with local governments, we’re making our regional road network safer and helping reduce the risk of serious crashes.

“We’re committed to ensuring the safety of the Western Australian community across our State’s vast road network by delivering upgrades that save lives, reduce road trauma, and make sure all road users get home safely.”

As stated by WALGA president Mark Irwin:

“Road safety is a shared priority for all levels of government and every death or serious injury on our roads is one too many.

“Consistent with State and Federal road safety strategies, local governments across Western Australia are committed to improving safety outcomes across the network.

“WALGA acknowledges the State Government Transport portfolio’s critical partnership with local governments, particularly through the State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement and recognises this collaborative approach to road safety.

“The second tranche of the Regional Road Safety Program will see upgrades to more than 20 road projects, spread across 15 local governments over 430 kilometres of the local government road network.”

TRANCHE 2 GRANTS