Victoria’s local road network is set for more than 200 targeted safety upgrades.
The State Government has approved $210 million in funding through the Safe Local Roads and Streets program.
Announced by Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne, the program will provide councils with up to $2 million each to plan, design and deliver works such as pedestrian crossings, intersection upgrades and speed-calming measures.
Local governments manage 87 per cent of the state’s road network, making the program a critical driver of safety improvements across high-use community routes.
“We’ve funded more than 200 projects to help local councils to deliver safer streets where local communities needs them most,” Ms Horne said.
The initiative underpins the government’s Road Safety Strategy 2030, which targets halving fatalities by 2030 and aims for zero road deaths by 2050.
The scheme is intended not only to finance construction but also to strengthen councils’ capacity to develop and manage safety infrastructure projects.
“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,” said TAC chief executive officer Tracey Slatter.
Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales said: “We’re working alongside every single Victorian council to deliver important road safety infrastructure on local roads.”
The package follows significant road maintenance allocations in the previous state budget, including the $976 million Better Roads Blitz focused on resurfacing and pothole repairs across Victoria.
