Councils unite to push for improved Sturt Highway safety

Published on 12 September 2025

To help keep our communities and freight networks safe, local councils along the Sturt Highway have 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-kilometre highway, which connects Tarcutta in New South Wales to Adelaide via Victoria and South Australia.

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. Speeding and fatigue were key contributing factors.

Inaugural chair of the taskforce and Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said she is proud to represent a united front of local governments demanding action.

Cr McRae said behind every statistic is 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.

Murray River Council Mayor, John Harvie echoed the sentiments. 

“Our community relies heavily on the Sturt Highway, not just for freight but also for everyday travel, tourism and connection between towns. Improvements to this highway will have a direct impact on the safety and liveability of our region.”

“This collaboration is about taking a proactive approach. Rather than waiting for more accidents or delays, councils are standing together to push for the kind of investment that will save lives and strengthen regional economies.”

The taskforce has identified 15 priority areas for improvement, including:

1. Road safety upgrades such as wider centre lines, improved shoulders and clearer markings.
2. More overtaking lanes to reduce risk-taking and improve traffic flow.
3. Rest areas every 40 km, especially to support long-distance freight drivers.
4. Town bypasses, including around Wagga Wagga, Balranald and Mildura.
5. Flood resistance improvements to maintain year-round access.
6. Bridge and culvert upgrades, pavement repairs and signage audits.
7. Driver education on fatigue, speed awareness and caravan towing.

The taskforce is working with Transport for NSW and government representatives to progress these priorities.

Sturt Highway Strategic Direction document:

Sturt-Highway-Strategic-Direction-Adopted-5-August-2025-compressed.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

This document sets out the key priorities our taskforce is advocating for:

• Investment in safety infrastructure, including overtaking lanes and road widening.

• Improved maintenance and upgrades across critical sections of the route.

• Enhanced road user education, particularly around fatigue, speed and caravan towing safety.