The Andrews Labor Government has selected the first 11 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 that will take part in the first stage of the Labor Government’s $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program.

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said she is thrilled Central Goldfields has been selected as one of the first 11 councils to receive funding as part of the program.

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. Around 33 per cent of road trauma happens on local council-managed roads each year and of the 179 fatalities this year, 90 have occurred on local roads. This is why the Labor Government is partnering with Councils to make our roads safer across the state.

The Central Goldfields manages around 1300 kilometres of roads across the shire, including more than 500 kilometres of sealed roads and 15 different classifications across rural roads and urban streets. 

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.

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.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Local councils know their area best – they can help us identify the road safety improvements required to reduce the risks and impact of trauma on local roads.”

“I’m so glad Central Goldfields is one of the first councils to receive funding through the $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program – meaning together we can build and design safer roads for the local community.”

Quote attributable to 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.”