Moorabool council is targeting road safety in a bid to reduce serious injuries and fatalities occurring across the shire.
The council voted to put on public display a draft community road safety strategy at its Wednesday 4 February meeting. The draft plan builds on council’s existing road safety work and outlines a four-year action program aligned with the state government’s safe roads, safe speeds, safe people and safe vehicles principles.
The draft plan has been designed to guide future projects and initiatives which respond to the shire’s growing population and increasing transport pressures.
Consultation took place via surveys, workshops and direct engagement with key stakeholders including TAC, Road Safe Central Highlands, VicRoads, emergency services and community groups.
The new strategy focuses on improving education and awareness, strengthening community engagement, identifying roadside infrastructure improvements, and continuing partnerships with road safety agencies.
However Cr Rod Ward pointed to concerns raised by some respondents over the condition of the shire’s roads.
“76 per cent of respondents expressed concerns that road conditions were causing accidents,” he said.
“It’s okay for the government to attack driver behaviour, but I think we need to push back and say road conditions are a contributing factor.”
Cr Ward also raised concerns over the costs associated with road upkeep, pointing out the rising costs of road resurfacing over the past two decades.
“Our road network has grown as our population has grown, yet we’re not eligible for growing suburbs funding,” Cr Ward said.
“Our ability to maintain our roads in a condition to ensure road safety is very limited.”
Following the adoption by council, the draft strategy will be made available on council’s Have Your Say online platform.
The draft plan will be online for feedback for 28 days, after which a further report would be presented to Council.
