Grants awarded to road safety programs

(Rahul Pandit via Pexels)

The state government has supported Victorian councils to deliver road safety projects in their local areas, including in Brimbank.

As part of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program 2022, Brimbank council received a share of $1.6 million in grants alongside 26 other councils.

The program would give councils the opportunity to work with locals to address road safety issues affecting vulnerable road users in their area and implement solutions, by coming up with a project to overcome them.

Pedestrians and people who ride bikes are vulnerable on and around roads due to their lack of protection, and an above-average number of both road user groups lost their lives on the state’s roads in 2022.

So far this year, five bicycle riders and five pedestrians have lost their lives on Victorian roads.

The state government invited councils to apply for grants of up to $30,000 for analysis projects, and up to $100,000 for infrastructure projects.

Together, the councils would deliver 35 road safety projects – 18 of which are infrastructure and 17 are various analysis projects spanning across inner and outer metro, rural and regional LGAs.

The infrastructure projects would include 16 wombat crossings, four shared-user path crossings and two footpaths – all improving safety and accessibility for vulnerable road users.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said everyone needed to play their part to keep local roads safe.

“We need everyone to play their part in keeping our roads safe,” she said.

“This program gives Victorian councils the opportunity to work with locals to address the road safety issues that matter most in their area and develop solutions that will boost safety on our roads and help save lives.”

TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said the TAC was proud to support Victorian councils in their efforts.

“By investing in targeted road safety projects, we can create safer roads and better protect those who use them,” he said.

Details: tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/community/grants/local-government-grants