Local communities are $1.2m winners in new TAC pedestrian and cyclist grants program

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28 Oct 2014

About 20 Victorian councils will share in $1.2 million under a new Transport Accident Commission program to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety across the state.

New bike paths, pedestrian precincts, reduced speed zones in busy shopping areas and crossings are among the projects to receive funding under the LGA Small Infrastructure Grants Program.

The program encourages councils to develop solutions to local safety issues for cyclists and pedestrians. TAC data shows these road users account for more than 1600 serious injuries across the state each year.

TAC chief executive officer Janet Dore said the grants would make local communities safer and more cycling and pedestrian friendly.

"Whether you're on two wheels or two feet, if you are involved in a collision with a car, you will come off second best. The projects funded under the first round of this grants program are all about creating safer walking and cycling areas to prevent these types of collisions," Ms Dore said.

Projects funded under the scheme include:

  • Planning for a new  pedestrian-friendly shared zone at the rear of the Richmond Station ($25,000 funding)
  • Connection of a new path through Geelong's Eastern Gardens with Portarlington Rd – ($100,000 funding matched by the City of Greater Geelong)
  • A new segregated bike path connecting two existing paths in Mildura ($68,728 funding matched by Mildura Rural City Council)
  • Creation of a 40km/h speed limit for the Maryborough CBD ($6,750 funding matched by the Central Goldfields Shire Council)

"Local authorities are in a great position to identify local safety issues and this funding program is all about encouraging innovative ways to overcome them," Ms Dore said.

"We received 94 applications from 52 Victorian councils which was pleasing because it demonstrates that councils are sharing responsibility for reducing road trauma and actively seeking to provide safer roads for their residents," Ms Dore said.

Twenty three councils will receive funding under the first round of grants.

In August, local governments were invited to apply for grants of up to $25,000 for planning and researching innovative safety treatments. Councils with plans already in place were also eligible to apply for matched-funding grants of up to $100,000 to cover the cost of implementing the new infrastructure.

The LGA Small Infrastructure Grants Program was developed in consultation with local councils the Municipal Association of Victoria, VicRoads and other stakeholders, including Victoria Walks, Bicycle Network Victoria and the RACV.

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