Grants program to help councils improve road safety

Published date: 16 Jul 2020

The Victorian Government is giving local councils across Victoria the chance to receive up to $100,000 for projects focused on making local roads safer, through a Transport Accident Commission grants program.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll encouraged local councils to apply for the share in funding as part of the TAC’s Local Government Area Grants program.

The grants program offers local councils the opportunity to apply for funding for a range of projects including:

Low-cost infrastructure treatments, which address cyclist or pedestrian road safety issues in a local community and are based on sound research or established road safety principles.

The trial of innovative treatments, including evaluations and safety infrastructure.

Analysis of pedestrian and cyclist road safety issues and risk factors which will provide the basis for potential road safety measures and design processes.

Local Victorian councils who received grants through last year’s program included:

Darebin City Council – $100,000 for project at Newlands Primary School aiming to increase the number of students using active transport to get to and from school, by implementing travel behaviour programs and constructing road safety treatments on identified active travel routes.

Hume City Council – $100,000 for Installation of pedestrian operated signals and raised hump at Hothlyn Drive, Craigieburn, to reduce the dangers to pedestrians crossing the road to and from the train station.

Mount Alexander Shire – $30,000 to develop designs for a pedestrian crossing treatment on Walker Street, Castlemaine, to increase safety for pedestrians visiting popular local destinations.

Local councils can apply for grants of up to $30,000 for analysis projects, and up to $100,000 for safety upgrades.

Information on the grant program, including dates, guidelines and how to apply can be found on the TAC website here.

Applications are open until 3pm on August 19.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll

“This grants program is all about empowering locals to address the road safety issues that matter in their communities.”

“I encourage every local council to apply for funding, so we can work together to boost safety on our roads.”

Quotes attributable to TAC Road Safety Senior Manager, Michael Nieuwesteeg

“Road trauma can have a long-lasting impact on communities and it’s crucial we’re all playing our part to improve safety for all road users.”

“By working with local councils we can ensure safety improvements are happening where they’re most needed and we’re moving towards reaching zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads.”