Drop In To Have Your Say On Safer Local Roads

Ararat Rural City Council is encouraging residents to share their ideas and concerns about local road safety at an upcoming Community Drop-In Session for the ARCC Road Safety Strategy & Action Plan.

The session will be held on Tuesday 16 December from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat, and residents can drop in at any time that suits them.

Earlier this year, the community was invited to complete a survey, with results revealing several key road safety themes across the Ararat Rural City. Many respondents raised concerns about pedestrian safety, speeding, intersections, signage and the condition of rural roads.

The upcoming drop-in session will give locals the chance to talk through these themes in more detail with Council and project consultants DWB Engineering.

Mayor Cr Bob Sanders said this stage of the project was about getting practical and pinpointing what really matters to locals.

“The survey gave us some terrific insights, and it’s clear people care a lot about making our roads safer across our municipality,” Cr Sanders said. “Now we want to hear about what locations are worrying you and what issues need tackling first. We want drivers, cyclists, kids, parents, older residents to come along and have a chat. Your local knowledge is what will help us get this right.”

Residents who can’t make it on the day can drop a comment on the interactive map at engage.ararat.vic.gov.au/arcc-road-safety-strategy

Once feedback from this stage of community consultation is collated, it will be combined with crash data, technical assessments and best-practice road safety principles. This will help DWB Engineering draft the ARCC Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, which will outline recommended actions, priorities and investment areas for Council to review in the new year.

This project is supported by a $49,540 grant from the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Local Government Grant Program.