Community projects that help vulnerable road users are set to receive a boost, with applications now open for a Transport Accident Commission road safety grants program.
The Community Road Safety Grant Program provides grants of up to $30,000 for projects that focus on delivering benefits to at-risk road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists across Victoria.
Not-for-profit groups and organisations, local council and schools across the state will share in funding of $800,000 throughout the year to develop and implement effective community-based road safety projects targeting local road safety issues.
In 2020, the diversity of successful projects to receive grant funding across the state included lower speed limit trials, council road safety strategies, community education programs, safe cycling routes at schools and improved crossing safety.
The TAC recently visited a project previously funded by the program – a variable message sign (VMS) speed detection trailer – and to encourage applications from across Victoria for the 2021 round of funding.
Acting Roads and Road Safety Minister Jacinta Allan said community groups and local councils knew their local roads best, and played a pivotal role in identifying issues in their area.
“We want communities to spread the word about road safety in a way that will resonate with their locals – these grants allow groups to do what will work best in their area to keep everyone safe,” Ms Allan said.
“I’m encouraging all community groups with a vision for a road safety project to get involved and apply for a grant.”
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TAC chief executive officer Joe Calafiore said road trauma had far-reaching impacts on local communities and the grants aimed to reduce the risk and impact in and around local roads.
“Road safety is shared responsibility and this grants program is just one way we can help councils and community groups achieve our goal of reducing road trauma,” Mr Calafiore said.
Applications for the TAC Community Road Safety Grants 2021 round of funding opened April 8 and close on May 7.
● Program guidelines and information on how to apply can be found at this link.
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