The Andrews Labor Government has selected the first eleven local governments to receive funding to develop, design and plan road safety improvements along council-managed roads, intersections and precincts.
Minister for Roads and Roads Safety Melissa Horne announced the local governments will take part in the first stage of the Labor Government’s $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program.
Those chosen to take part across metropolitan Melbourne are Brimbank, Monash, Casey, Yarra and Melton, and in regional Victoria – Moira, Baw Baw, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Murrindindi and Surf Coast.
Councils will work closely with the Department of Transport and Planning and Transport Accident Commission over four-years to identify, plan, develop and deliver more road safety upgrades on local roads across Victoria.
Local government authorities own and operate 87 per cent of Victoria’s road network and around 33 per cent of road trauma happens on local council-managed roads each year.
This is why the Labor Government is partnering with Councils to make our roads safer across the state.
The $210 million package will design and deliver safety upgrades for communities including raised crossings, intersection upgrades, speed cushions, kerbing upgrades, pedestrian islands, safer speeds, roundabouts and other vital safety improvements.
Around 132,000km of Victoria’s road network is made up of local roads, making up 87 per cent. Of the 179 fatalities this year, 90 have occurred on local roads.
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.
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.
The program supports the government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve road deaths and reduce serious injuries by 2030 and eliminate road deaths by 2050.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“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.”
As stated by Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales
“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to road safety, which is why we are working with councils across the state to support them in developing and building important safety upgrades to reduce road trauma and save lives on local roads.”
As stated by Transport Accident Commission CEO Tracey Slatter
“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.”
