This $200 million program is designed to integrate local governments’ priorities with a Safe System approach.
Recognising the barriers local governments face in delivering road safety improvements, this program will support local governments to build capacity and capability to deliver safer local roads into the future.
The program will run from July 2023 to June 2027. Over this time, we’ll work with all Victorian local governments to plan, design and deliver $200 million of safety improvements on the highest-risk local roads, intersections, and precincts, such as schools.
To launch the program, we’re seeking interested local governments to participate in the following initiatives:
- initial planning and project development with up to ten local governments
- establishment of a Safe Local Roads and Streets Program Reference Group.
Through these initiatives, we’ll build a clear understanding of local governments’ needs, kick-start the delivery of safety improvements on local roads, and develop tools to help all Victorian local governments build capacity in Safe System planning and delivery.
Why we’re making local roads safer
The Victorian Government has committed to the vision of no lives lost or serious injuries on our roads by 2050.
We all have a part to play in achieving these targets.
Currently, local governments own 87 percent of Victoria’s road network, 40 percent of serious injury claims, and 41 percent of TAC claims of life costs occur as a result of crashes on roads owned and managed by local governments.
We know that it isn’t always easy for local government to access funding to plan or deliver the safety improvements needed to reduce road trauma on local roads. Each council across Victoria has varying capability, capacity, and barriers to improve road safety outcomes.
By building local governments’ capacities to plan, fund, and deliver road safety improvements on local roads, the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program will provide an important contribution to reducing road trauma for all Victorians.
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