Council Endorses New Five-Year Road Safety Strategy
Ararat Rural City Council has endorsed a new Community Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan that sets out a long-term, evidence-based approach to reduce road trauma across the municipality.
Aligned with Vision Zero and the Safe System approach, the five-year Strategy was endorsed at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 29 September 2026, and responds to local crash data, community feedback, and regional road safety risks, setting clear targets and actions to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes.
Australian governments have adopted the global Vision Zero vision to build a safer road transport system where no one loses their life or suffers serious injury. Through the Safe System framework, every part of the road network works together to prevent crashes and cushion impact forces, helping people survive when accidents do occur.
The Strategy and Action Plan outlines seven strategic goals to address the highest-risk areas and protect all road users, including:
- Reducing fatal and serious injuries on rural roads
- Preventing run-off-road crashes
- Improving safety at high-risk intersections
- Protecting vulnerable road users
- Aligning speeds with road function and risk
- Improving safety for work-related road use and;
- Strengthening data, monitoring and reporting
"This work is so important for our community”, said Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Bob Sanders. “Over the last few years, we’ve seen 158 crashes resulting in casualties on our roads, including five people who lost their lives and 83 who were seriously injured. Those numbers are a stark reminder of why we need a clear, ongoing focus on road safety.”
"This strategy sets a clear, practical course toward Vision Zero. It aligns our local priorities with state and national safety standards, putting us in a far better position to lock in government funding down the road."
"Council can’t do this alone, though. Reaching Vision Zero takes a collective effort across state government and our entire community. Ultimately, it's about making sure every resident, worker, and visitor in Ararat makes it home safely at the end of the day."
The Community Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan is available to view on Council’s website: www.ararat.vic.gov.au/council-documents
