By Marcus Uhe
City of Casey Council officers are in the process of preparing a grant submission for the funding and delivery of a raised zebra crossing on Stawell Street in Cranbourne, near Cranbourne Secondary College.
Acting Manager for City and Asset Planning Joanna Noesgaard said the location was identified as needing a crossing due to “significant pedestrian movements, particularly at peak times.”
“This project is listed for delivery next financial year via Council’s Pedestrian Crossing Program,” Ms Noesgaard said.
Cranbourne Secondary College Principal David Caughey said he would welcome the crossing in order to improve safety for his students, having previously engaged in discussions with the council on this topic.
“We’ve got a school crossing on Codrington Street and a zebra crossing will support our students, as well as drivers to understand the safest way to navigate the area,” Mr Caughey said.
The funding will be sourced from the 2022 Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program, offering funding to local councils for projects that aim to reduce death and serious injury in pedestrians and cyclists.
The program invites councils to apply for grants of up to $30,000 for analysis projects, and up to $100,000 for infrastructure projects – with conditional 1:1 contribution from the recipient.
Local governments, working closely with their communities, are well-placed to identify specific problems, and develop and implement integrated road safety solutions.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll, said no Victorian should experience the devastating impacts of road trauma.
“These grants will help us create safer road environments across the state and embed a culture of road safety within the Victorian community,” Mr Carroll said.
“Walking and cycling are great ways to stay healthy and move around and these grants will not only improve the safety of vulnerable road users but continue to foster liveable cities that encourage active transport.”
Applications for the grants opened on Monday 20 June and will close on Wednesday 27 July.
Successful recipients will be notified by November 2022.
For more information on the TAC Local Government Grant Program, head to tac.vic.gov.au/lgagrants.
