Brimbank Council has been selected as one of the first 11 local council’s to receive funding to develop, design and plan road safety improvements along council-managed roads, intersections and precincts.
Council will work closely with the Department of Transport and Planning and the Transport Accident Commission over four years to identify, plan, develop and deliver more road safety upgrades on local roads.
Road safety and improved transport infrastructure has been noted as a key priority for Brimbank council.
Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire said council is looking forward to implementing road safety upgrades on local roads across the municipality.
“Our aim is to ensure there are safer vehicles on our road network, safer road designs, safer vehicle speeds and safer behaviour by those who use our road networks,” Cr Lancashire said.
Council’s Transport Priorities Paper 2022 identifies issues with the current transport network, and proposes service solutions and infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and safety in and around Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The paper includes road projects to address congestion and traffic flow, and advocates for more public transport and active infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling.
Council has been advocating for investment to prioritise improvement and enhance safety at high-risk locations.
Council said it embraces the Safe System approach to road safety and supports the state government’s Towards Zero campaign which aims to prevent anyone being killed or seriously injured on the Victorian road network.
The state government said around 33 per cent of road trauma takes place on local council-managed roads each year.
Transport Accident Commission chief executive Tracey Slatter said local councils play a “crucial” role in identifying their region’s road safety needs.
“… this program will allow us to work together with councils to design and build safer roads for their communities,” she said.
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 councils.
