SEVEN dangerous road sites on the Mornington Peninsula are set to receive $3.9m in upgrades under the 2025-26 federal government’s Black Spot Program. The safety upgrades will target road locations where crashes occur or are at risk of occurring.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire confirmed it had been awarded the funding at its 3 June, with all seven road projects unanimously approved by councillors. This includes the Mornington local area precinct ($929,000) for traffic calming treatments and a 40kph speed limit; Tucks Road/ Shands Rd intersection in Main Ridge ($785,000) for a raised intersection with raised safety platforms and sealing 50 metres south of Tucks Rd, while the Capel Sound local area precinct will get $1.2 million for traffic calming treatments and a 40 kph speed limit.
Other projects approved were the Browns Rd/Jetty Rd intersection in Boneo ($117,000) to install splitter island and warning signage; Colchester Rd and Newington Ave, Rosebud ($210,000) for a raised intersection and a skid-resistant surface at the bend between Newington Ave and Jennings Ct; and Forest Dr in Mt Martha ($264,000) for safety barriers as well as audio-tactile devices, and curve alignment markers. The speed limit could also be reduced from 80kph to 70kph. Wilsons Rd in Mornington will also get a $427,000 boost to install splitter islands, kerb extensions, raised zebra crossings, green pavement at conflict points, and lighting.
According to a shire report, the Mornington Peninsula “has one of Victoria’s worst local government road safety records. Our community consistently highlights road safety as a significant concern”.
Looking ahead for the 2026-27 Federal Black Spot Program, the council will apply for funding for 15 projects with Cr David Gill successfully leading a motion to add a proposed safety upgrade to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) managed intersection of Frankston-Flinders Rd/ Warrawee Rd/Stanleys Rd in Balnarring. “It (the intersection) hasn’t been rated as the most accidents, but it’s a very serious problem. If this is put on to the list, it just means that it will be considered for this funding,” Gill said.
Cr Kate Roper said she was also concerned about the intersection, saying “I’ve been through it many times and it is very dangerous going to Frankston-Flinders Rd from Warrawee Rd, when you have to look back over your shoulder at a blind turn with people coming out of Balnarring”.
“We have such a huge area to cover an extensive road network, certainly much more than any other metropolitan council, I believe, and certainly put under a lot of pressure by the millions of visitors that we have at the peninsula yearly,” she said. “We do look to other levels of government for some financial help to keep these roads in good condition and to improve safety.”
Councillors also endorsed 18 proposed projects for the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program for new roundabouts, raised intersections, and traffic calming measures including at Rye, Rosebud, Dromana, Hastings, Balnarring, Safety Beach and McCrae. In Mornington, $200,000 will be allocated to the Esplanade and Schnapper Point Drive roundabout for raised zebra crossings.
Through the program delivered by the TAC and DTP, each council receives $2m for road safety improvements. A report will come back to council by December recommending additional “road safety priorities for advocacy” in response to community feedback received from the Road Safety Funding applications and priorities consultation. Meanwhile, councillors also endorsed ten Motorcycle Safety Levy Infrastructure Program projects which may be funded by the state government in the future (totalling $2.84m) to improve motorcycle safety on the peninsula.
However, the shire will seek community feedback on “the installation of any road safety barriers and large warning signage and take into account effects on village character” before coming back to council for decision. The decision to seek community consultation comes after residents expressed concern about more roadside barriers proposed at Arthurs Seat Rd near Mechanics Rd after previous barriers and signage at the front of Eldridge Estate along Arthurs Seat Rd had compromised the green wedge landscape and the unique character of Red Hill (More roadside barriers in hinterland concerns residents, The News 03/03/25).
First published in the Mornington News – 17 June 2025
