Towards Zero Safer Roads program
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program (the Program) aligns with the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan and builds on the success of the previous Safer Roads Program. The Program delivers life-saving road safety treatments through the Saving Lives on Country Roads (rural infrastructure and speed management) and Safe and Liveable Urban Communities (urban infrastructure and speed management) initiatives.
Program objectives
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program aligns with the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, reflecting the government's dedication to achieving the goal of zero deaths on the NSW road network.
Projects deliver important road infrastructure at high-risk locations that can help save lives. This includes wide centre lines, safety barriers, rumble strips and shoulder widening.
Open applications for councils
2026/2027 - 2028/29 Towards Zero Safer Roads Program (TZSRP) High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) Sub-Program
The TZSRP HPAA Sub-Program (the Sub-Program) provides up to $20 million funding for councils to nominate and implement infrastructure and reduced speed zones in areas with high pedestrian activity. HPAAs play a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable road users are protected in identified Main Streets and Civic Spaces that facilitate a high vehicle movement function whilst also creating a vibrant place that prioritises the safe movement of pedestrian and cyclists. The TZSRP HPAA sub- program is fully funded by the NSW Government and administered by Transport.
Who can apply for funding
- NSW councils, Unincorporated Far West, and Lord Howe Island Board
What your application needs to include
- For full details, refer to the Guidelines (PDF, 630.63 KB)
Project submission
All project proposals must be prepared and submitted through the Safer Roads Program Management System (Online Portal).
- Applications opened:20 August 2025
- Applications close: 31 October 2025, 11:59 pm
For access to the Online Portal as a first-time user follow this link.
Documents and resources for councils
- AP R509 16 safe system assessment framework August 2025 (PDF, 3.2 MB)
- Crash treatment reduction and safe system alignment matrix 2025 (XLSX, 94.19 KB)
- Example safe system assessment August 2025 (PDF, 2.46 MB)
- Safe system checklist August 2025 (XLSX, 981.09 KB)
- SSAF Appendix B template for assessment August 2025 (DOCX, 92.03 KB)
- HPAA sub-program Local Government guidelines August 2025 (PDF, 782.44 KB)
- HPAA sub-program FAQs August 2025 (PDF, 254.21 KB)
- Regional pedestrian crash cluster site maps August 2025 (PDF, 41.14 MB)
- Sydney pedestrian crash cluster site maps August 2025 (PDF, 41.21 MB)
- HPAA project cost estimate template August 2025 (XLSX, 303.1 KB)
- HPAA project cost estimation template FAQs August 2025
Successful projects under the TZSR Program
Read about the latest updates from successful projects
Round 1 FY2022/2023
Round 1 of the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program invested $45.5 million to improve road safety on NSW state roads and prioritised the following:
- 27 planning and development projects and the construction of 11 safety upgrade projects in regional NSW.
- 10 planning and development projects and the construction of 5 safety upgrade projects in the Greater Sydney area of NSW.
For information on the Regional NSW projects funded see: Round 1 - Regional Projects (PDF, 117.17 KB)
For information on Sydney TfNSW projects funded see: Round 1 – Sydney Projects (PDF, 85.04 KB)
Round 2 FY2024/2025
Round 2 of the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program invested $283 million to improve road safety on NSW state, regional and local roads and prioritised the following:
- 52 planning and development projects and the construction of 20 safety upgrade projects on state roads in regional NSW.
- 23 construction safety upgrade projects on regional and local roads in regional NSW.
- 19 planning and development projects and the construction of 8 safety upgrade projects on state roads in the Greater Sydney area of NSW.
- 23 construction safety upgrade projects on regional and local roads in the Greater Sydney area of NSW.
Find information on the Regional NSW projects funded under Round 2 -Regional Council Projects (PDF, 98.2 KB).
Find information on the Greater Sydney projects funded under Round 2 - Regional (Transport for NSW projects) (PDF, 154.7 KB).
Find information on projects funded under Round 2 – Sydney (Council Projects) (PDF, 98.31 KB).
Find information on projects funded under Round 2 –Sydney (Transport for NSW Projects) (PDF, 99.92 KB).
Round 2B FY2025/2026
Round 2B of the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program reinvested $55 million of savings from earlier rounds of the program to improve road safety on NSW state roads and accelerated the following projects:
- 14 construction safety upgrade projects in regional NSW.
- 2 construction safety upgrade projects in the Greater Sydney area of NSW.
For information on the Regional NSW projects funded see: Round 2B - Regional Projects (PDF, 69.49 KB)
For information on Sydney TfNSW projects funded see: Round 2B – Sydney Projects (PDF, 59.36 KB)
Contact Us
For Sydney area councils please contact sydney.blackspot.nominations@transport.nsw.gov.au
For Regional councils please contact pmsafety@transport.nsw.gov.au
Previous Safer Roads Program
Over the previous five years 2018-2023, the Safer Roads Program invested $822 million in the delivery of life saving road safety treatments through the Saving Lives on Country Roads, and the Liveable and Safe Urban Communities initiatives.
The previous Safer Roads Program is estimated to have saved up to 1550 serious injuries and lives over the lifetime of the program. Find information on the projects funded here.