Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Black Spot Work Ready to Start

Road safety improvement works with Black Spot Program.

By Portal Admin - 13th October 2019 - Back to News

As part of the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program, road safety improvement works will be undertaken along Cowes-Rhyll Road from Thompson Avenue to Coghlan Road, in Cowes.

Work will get underway this Monday, 7 October and is expected to be completed by early November, subject to contractor availability and weather conditions. This $780,000 project is funded by the Federal Government and is being completed as part of Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2018/19 Black Spot Funding Program.

Black Spot projects target locations where crashes are occurring, with an emphasis on reducing the number and severity of crashes in those areas.

To meet the desired road improvements for the Black Spot project, some vegetation clearing and trimming is required to improve sightlines for intersecting streets, road widening, drainage works and guardrail installation.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said a lot of work has been done to ensure the design for the project avoids or minimises the loss of vegetation where possible and that tree protection measures will be in place.

"It is difficult to balance the natural and built environments to meet road safety improvements when native vegetation is located within the road reserve," Cr Tessari said.

Under the exemption process for Black Spot projects, no planning permit was required for this work, however all necessary approvals from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have been acquired, which require all vegetation loss to be offset and secured.

As part of the project, the road will be widened, which will include earthworks, drainage and asphalting works, from Thompson Avenue to Jeury Court.

Guardrails will be installed between Thompson Avenue and Redwood Drive and the street lighting at the intersection of Redwood Drive and Cowes-Rhyll Road will be upgraded. The installation of signage and linemarking will also be completed as part of the project.

Work will be carried out between 7.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (unless otherwise advised) and traffic control measures will be in place including electronic messaging signs, reduced speed limits and lane closures, as required. Road users may experience minor delays throughout the duration of works. The works will be programmed to avoid any traffic issues during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and peak school hours in the mornings and afternoons.

These works may cause inconvenience, so the contractor will make every effort to minimise disruptions to motorists, residents, schools and businesses that operate along this section of road. If practical, road users may wish to seek alternate routes during the construction period.

For information visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/projects, contact Bass Coast Shire Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 221 or email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.


The highlighted section of Cowes-Rhyll Road will be upgraded as part of the Federally funded Black Spot Program.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• Nicholson Street Mall safety works begin as council plans longer-term redevelopment and community consultation for future improvements
  Works at Nicholson Street Mall will improve safety and amenity, including relocating the taxi rank and removing outdated infrastructure, while Council develops longer-term redevelopment plans and community consultation.
• Warragul Library Centre moves closer with early works starting ahead of major construction and 2028 opening
  Early works for Warragul $30 million Library and Learning Centre will begin next week, preparing the site for construction. The facility will feature library, cultural, meeting and co-working spaces, opening in 2028.
• Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
  Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027.
• Silcocks Hill Road in Toora reduced to single lane for four to six weeks during landslip repairs
  Silcocks Hill Road in Toora will operate under single-lane conditions for four to six weeks from August 17 while landslip remediation works are completed, with motorists urged to allow extra travel time.
• South Gippsland Council highlights Seniors Festival 2026, road safety projects, community initiatives and other updates across shire
  South Gippsland Shire Council highlights Seniors Festival events, $2.849 million in road safety funding, a new Nyora public toilet, resilience initiatives, community programs and feedback opportunities across the region.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback to shape safer roads through New Road Safety Strategy Plan until 10 September 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting residents to help shape its new Road Safety Strategy through community workshops and an online survey, aiming to reduce crashes and improve safety for all road users across the shire.
• The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
  The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards.
• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
  A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges.
• East Gippsland Council begins targeted roadside slashing program to reduce fire risks ahead of approaching fire season
  East Gippsland Shire Council has begun targeted roadside slashing ahead of fire season, prioritising vegetation growth, local conditions and emerging fire risks, with progress updates available online.