State Minister for Roads and Roads Safety Melissa Horne announced that Moira Shire will take part in the first stage of the state government’s $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program.
Councils will work closely with the Department of Transport and Planning as well as the Transport Accident Commission during the next four-years to identify, plan, develop and deliver road safety upgrades on local roads across Victoria.
Currently local government authorities own and operate 87 per cent of Victoria’s road network which equates to 132,000km.
Around 33 per cent of road trauma happens on local council-managed roads each year.
Of the 179 fatalities this year, 90 have occurred on local roads.
The $210 million package will be used to design and construct safety upgrades including raised crossings, intersection upgrades, speed cushions, kerbing upgrades, pedestrian islands, safer speeds, roundabouts and other vital safety improvements.
A Safer Local Roads and Streets reference group will also be established to support the development of the planning framework, investment guidelines, tools and resources that will support local governments.
Ms Horne said that road safety is an important issue for the state government.
“Our Safe Local Roads and Streets Program is fostering new relationships between local governments and the Department of Transport and Planning and Transport Accident Commission, so they have the tools in place to deliver the safety improvements needed to reduce road trauma on local roads,” Ms Horne said.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Tracey Slatter agreed saying that council support is crucial in ensuring community safety.
“Local councils play a crucial role in identifying their region’s road safety needs and this program will allow us to work together with councils to design and build safer roads for their communities,” Ms Slatter said.
All Victorian local governments will be progressively introduced to the program from late-2023, based on information from the initial expressions of interest process and councils’ willingness to participate in the program.
