The Hunter will benefit to the tune of $1.66 million to fix some of the most dangerous sections of the local road network.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) received the funding under the 2025-26 Black Spot Program, with two projects slated for the Maitland LGA, along with neighbouring Cessnock and Port Stephens.

At least $610,909 was allocated to install a one-lane roundabout at Dragonfly and Grasshawk drives at Chisholm, with a further $383,775 distributed for a raised safety platform at the intersection of McKeachie Drive and Oakhampton Road in Aberglasslyn.

The Great North Road in Laguna pocketed $398,624 while the juncture of Mount Hall Road and Irrawang Street in Raymond Terrace secured $267,500.

It’s estimated the Black Spot initiative, which the Australian Government increased to $150 million from $110 million, reduces the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30% at treated sites.

The Commonwealth also doubled Roads to Recovery from $500 million to $1 billion a year and is delivering a nationally-harmonised set of timely data to inform road safety decision making.

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said, on average, 50% of Black Spot funding went towards addressing dangerous thoroughfares in regional areas.

“In 2024-25 alone, 102 projects in rural, regional and remote Australia shared in $64 million,” she explained.

“The program delivers improvements that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of serious crashes and fatalities.

“With our increased funding commitment, I encourage individuals, organisations and local councils to nominate sites in their communities for consideration in the next round.”

Since the Albanese government was elected in 2022, more than 720 black spots have been approved for road safety treatments, of which 453 were completed.

The Hunter’s 2025-26 Black Spot Program recipients:

Cessnock LGA

• $398,624 (Great North Road, Laguna): Mark barrier line. Install 0.5-2m incremental traversable clear zone. Install curve alignment markers (CAMs). Install semi-rigid barrier on roadside. Install motorcycle underrun on existing semirigid barrier, single vehicle motorcycle crashes only

Maitland LGA

• $610,909 (Dragonfly Drive/Grasshawk Drive, Chisholm): Install one-lane roundabout (including all traffic calming, line marking, lighting and signage)
• $383,775 (McKeachie Drive/Oakhampton Road, Aberglasslyn): Install raised safety platform at un-signalised intersection

Port Stephens LGA

• $267,500 (Mount Hall Road/Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace): Remove sight distance restrictions at the intersection, mark road edge lines, and move stop or give-way lines forward with kerb extensions. Install raised islands with additional stop or give-way, upgrade the intersection from give-way to stop

For more news stories:

• Three injured following dog attack in Raymond Terrace
• 2026… a game-changing year for Hunter motorists
• Busy time for Port Stephens-Hunter Police District

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.