The Sturt Highway is dangerous, particularly in areas when the speed zone drops to 60 km/h. Photo: Supplied.
Many stretches of the Sturt Highway have long been informally known as ‘death traps’.
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. More than a third of these accidents occurred in 60 km/h speed zones and more than 80 per cent while the weather was dry. While statistics for this year are not yet available, accidents are continuing. Just last month, a man died on the highway near Tarcutta when two trucks and an SUV collided.
Eight NSW councils have therefore joined forces to seek targeted improvements to the highway.
The Sturt Highway Taskforce includes the councils of Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Leeton, Hay, Murray River, Balranald, Wentworth and Murrumbidgee. Together, the group is advocating for investment in safety, infrastructure and freight efficiency along the 605 km highway, which connects Tarcutta in NSW to Adelaide via Victoria and South Australia.
Inaugural chair of the taskforce and Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said she was proud to represent a united front of local governments demanding action.
Cr McRae said behind every statistic was a family, a friend, and a community irreversibly changed.
“As leaders, we cannot accept this as the status quo. We are calling for a series of targeted, evidence-based actions to make the Sturt Highway safer for all who use it,” she said.
“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,” Cr McRae said.
The taskforce has identified 15 priority areas for improvement, including:
- 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 40 km, 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.
More information on Sturt Highway statistics and the advocacy strategy can be found on the Murrumbidgee Council website.
