District councils, including Murrumbidgee, have joined forces in a new campaign to keep communities and freight networks safe.

The Sturt Highway Taskforce also includes the councils of Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Leeton, Hay, Murray River, Balranald and Wentworth.

Murrumbisgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM is its inaugural chair.

The taskforce will seek targeted improvements to the highway as a collaborative.

The group is advocating for investment in safety, infrastructure and freight efficiency along the 605km highway, which connects Tarcutta in NSW to Adelaide via Victoria and South Australia.

Between June 2018 and July 2023, there were 283 crashes along the NSW section of the highway, including 14 fatal and 48 serious injury crashes.

Speeding and fatigue were key contributing factors.

Cr McRae said she is proud to represent a united front of local governments demanding action.

She said behind every statistic is a family, a friend, and a community irreversibly changed.

“As leaders, we cannot accept this as the status quo,” she siad.

“We are calling for a series of targeted, evidence-based actions to make the Sturt Highway safer for all who use it.

“Our strength lies in our collaboration, and our message is simple: the time for action is now.

“We are committed to working with all levels of government to secure the funding, planning, and delivery mechanisms needed to make the Sturt Highway a safer place for everyone.”

The taskforce has identified 15 priority areas for improvement. Among them are:

• Road safety upgrades such as wider centre lines, improved shoulders and clearer markings.

• More overtaking lanes to reduce risk-taking and improve traffic flow.

• Rest areas every 40km, especially to support long-distance freight drivers.

• Town bypasses, including around Wagga Wagga, Balranald and Mildura.

• Flood resistance improvements to maintain year-round access.

• Bridge and culvert upgrades, pavement repairs and signage audits.

• Driver education on fatigue, speed awareness and caravan towing.

The taskforce is working with Transport for NSW and government representatives to progress these priorities.

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Saturday, 29th October 2022

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