The Victorian government is advancing road safety across Victoria with a $210 million investment through the Safe Local Roads and Streets program, aimed at reducing road trauma on local roads.
Announced by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne, the program will fund more than 200 projects to support local councils with up to $2 million each for safety upgrades on local roads, intersections, and precincts.
The funding enables local councils to implement safety enhancements, including pedestrian crossings, intersection upgrades, and speed-calming measures.
Local governments manage 87 per cent of Victoria’s roads, making this program crucial in improving everyday travel for residents going to school, work, and community activities.
The Safe Local Roads and Streets Program supports councils to develop, plan, and deliver these vital safety infrastructure projects, aligning with the stategGovernment’s 2030 Road Safety Strategy which aims to halve road deaths by 2030 and work towards eliminating road fatalities by 2050.
Minister Horne said: “We’ve funded more than 200 projects to help local councils to deliver safer streets where local communities needs them most.”
This initiative forms part of a broader Victorian government commitment to road safety, including a record $976 million Better Roads Blitz in the current budget to repair potholes and upgrade road surfaces across the state.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Tracey Slatter emphasised the importance of the funding for local road safety efforts, stating: “We know local governments are deeply committed to making their local roads safer, and this program is providing the much-needed investment needed to help councils prevent crashes and save lives in their local communities.”
Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales added: “We’re working alongside every single Victorian council to deliver important road safety infrastructure on local roads.”
This comprehensive funding approach underscores the Victorian government’s commitment to safer community roads and the goal of significantly reducing road trauma over the coming years.
