Safety boost for local roads

Published date: 16 Dec 2020

Victorian roads will become safer for pedestrians and cyclists thanks to the latest round of Transport Accident Commission grants.

A record 70 applications for funding were received from local councils this year, as part of the TAC’s annual Local Government Grant Program. Forty Victorian councils have been offered a share of $1.9 million to make Victoria safer, with the construction of new paths, pedestrian crossings, trails and bike lanes.

Launched in 2012, the program encourages councils to work closely with their local communities to develop solutions to address safety issues for cyclists and pedestrians, in projects aligned with the Towards Zero Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2020.

Local governments were invited in July to apply for grants of up to $30,000 for planning and researching innovative pedestrian and cyclist road safety issues.

Councils with plans already in place were also eligible to apply for matched-funding grants of up to $100,000, to implement new infrastructure or trial new infrastructure solutions.

Successful projects in 2020 - highlights

Surf Coast Shire Council - $100,000 for pedestrian safety improvements in the Torquay town centre
Melton City Council - $100,000 for improving pedestrian and cyclist safety and amenities in Caroline Springs
City of Casey - $78,000 for a raised pedestrian crossing with flashing lights in Berwick
Moreland City Council - $30,000 for 30km/h speed limit trials evaluation framework
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - $30,000 for safe system pedestrian and cyclist treatment development - site study
Wyndham City Council - $28,000 for school zones safe travel analysis

TAC CEO Joe Calafiore said the TAC is pleased to see such a high number of councils looking to get involved in this year’s Grants Program.

“Supporting our most vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, is a focus of many of these projects and the grants provide an opportunity to use low cost infrastructure solutions to help protect them,” Mr Calafiore said.

View the approved projects