Surf Coast Shire Council has received the year two progress report on the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027, highlighting both strong achievements and ongoing challenges in improving safety across the region.
Key actions delivered in 2024/2025 include:
- Upgrades to Erskine Falls Road, Lorne, to reduce driver distraction.
- New cycling infrastructure on The Esplanade and Fischer Street, Torquay, linking central and north Torquay with safe and accessible walking and cycling routes.
- Pedestrian crossings installed in Anglesea and Bellbrae.
- Speed reviews underway in Connewarre, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek.
The report recognises the unique road safety challenges faced in Surf Coast Shire, including a high number of international tourists and rapid population growth.
"One death on our roads is one death too many," said Cr Joel Grist
"As the population grows and traffic increases, it's encouraging to see safer walking and cycling routes being delivered."
The five-year Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, adopted by Council in November 2022, set ambitious targets to:
- Reduce fatalities on Surf Coast roads by 50% by 2030
- Reduce serious injuries by 30% by 2030.
These targets are in line with state and federal road safety targets.
"These upgrades are making a real difference in helping people move safely, no matter how they travel," said Cr Joel Grist.
"Our goal is ambitious, but it needs to be. It takes a consistent effort to reach these targets, but it's a target we can achieve together."
Council officers will prepare applications for grant funding through the 2026/2027 Federal Black Spot Program, seeking upgrades to priority roads, including:
- Horseshoe Bend Road from The Esplanade to Lower Duneed Road – safe cycling/pedestrian connection from Torquay to Geelong.
- Torquay town centre area wide treatment (east of Surf Coast Highway) - safer access for all transport modes from Darian Road to Bell Street, 40kph area wide treatment with local area traffic management
- Anglesea town centre area wide treatment – 40kph area wide treatment with local area traffic management on Camp Road and surrounding streets
- Council rereduce serious injury crash risks.
- Torquay West urban fringe, (Coombes Road, Grossmans Road, Messmate Road and Duffields Road) – a range of treatments including line marking, green cycle lane paint, signage and raised gateway treatments to support safer speeds between the rural and urban road environment.
