LEVEL CROSSINGS

Mr RAU (Enfield) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Road Safety. Can the minister advise the house what the state government is doing to improve safety at level crossings?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (15:04): South Australia's Strategic Plan has set a target to reduce road fatalities to fewer than 90 persons per year and serious injuries to fewer than 1,000 per year by the year 2010. Over the past five years, there have been 26 collisions between vehicles and trains on local roads. In the 2009-10 budget, $3.2 million has been allocated to improving level crossing safety, including the introduction of a new level crossing black spot program. This program aims to improve driver behaviour through an education campaign and enhanced level crossing safety through infrastructure improvements.

Funding for the level crossing black spot program involves a 50-50 funding split between state and local government, with the state government allocating half a million dollars into the program each year. The state government will contribute $2 million to this program over a four year period. A total of 11 council nominations encompassing 33 projects was received and assessed against predetermined criteria. A total of 32 projects across 10 councils has been approved. The total state government contribution for this project is $337,240.

Safer level crossings play an important role in achieving South Australia's road safety target. The implementation of cost-effective road improvements to address site distance deficiencies, pedestrian issues, traffic queuing and lighting issues will go a long way to reducing the risk at level crossings. Nominations were assessed by the panel in line with the level crossing black spot criteria to ensure that only those projects with the greatest benefit to the community were funded. As members have probably noted, the total contribution from the state government falls below the budgeted half million dollars and, because of this fact, further calls for council applications will go out to local government.

The level crossing black spot program is a positive step forward by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in reaching the targets of the State Strategic Plan. In partnership with local councils, the program aims to provide a safe travel environment for all road and rail users where the two modes of travel intersect.