The Rockliff Liberal Government is working hard to deliver on its long-term plan and do what matters for all Tasmanians by improving road safety around our great State through a range of initiatives.
We are continuing our investment in safer roads with another $4.7 million now available to make our local roads safer through the Vulnerable Road User Program (VRUP) and Safer Rural Roads Program (SRRP).
Councils have until 23 February 2024 to submit their applications to share in the funds.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said that together the two programs had helped deliver more than $35 million worth of upgrades across more than 250 different projects around the State.
"Our previous round of funding for the programs saw more than $4.6 million spread across 33 projects, taking the total funding provided by the Tasmanian Liberal Government, over the life of the programs, to $16 million," Mr Ferguson said.
"We know that more than half of all fatal and serious injuries occur on local roads and that these roads make up around 80 per cent of the Tasmanian public road network.
"These programs are designed so that local knowledge and perspectives decide what action needs to be taken and where with local government telling us where priority areas are.
"Since 2013-14 the Vulnerable Road User Program has been improving road safety in urban areas with more than 170 projects delivering almost $21 million in improvements like pedestrian crossings, footpaths, shared paths and bicycle lanes.
"Beginning in 2020, the Safer Rural Roads Program has funded 77 projects worth almost $15 million for widespread, low-cost upgrades such as signage, line-marking and barriers to help reduce the risk of head-on and run-off-road crashes."
"I encourage anyone with concerns about a particular danger spot or a good idea to make a particular area safer to contact their local council," Mr Ferguson said.
Vulnerable Road User and Safer Rural Roads programs are key initiatives under the Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-24 to improve the safety of all road users.
