Dear Mrs lrwin

Thank you for your letter dated 17 September 2008 about a petition for improvements to a pedestrian crossing on Gorge Road, Athelstone, South Australia.

As Gorge Road is a state road, the issue raised by the petitioners is primarily a matter for the South Australian Government. I have therefore referred your letter to the South Australian Minister for Road Safety, the Hon Carmel Zollo MLC, for consideration.

The petitioners could consider the possibility of funding through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, which provides for the cost effective treatment of hazardous road locations with a record of casualty crashes. In general, sites must have a history of at least three casualty crashes over a five-year period, although up to 20 per cent of funds may be used for works recommended on the basis of a road safety audit.

Nominations for Black Spot funding are invited from state and territory governments, local councils, community groups and associations, road user groups, industry and individuals. Information about the program, including the official nomination form, is available on the website: <http://www.auslink.gov.au>.

Thank you for raising this matter.

from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Mr Albanese, to a petition presented on 15 September by Mrs Irwin (from 194 citizens)