Grants boost Victorian community road safety initiatives

Published date: 08 Feb 2024

Eight Victorian community groups and organisations will share in more than $400,000 of State Government funding, helping to support projects boosting road safety in their local areas.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne joined the Transport Accident Commission in announcing the recipients of the 2023 TAC Road Safety Grant Program.

The recently revised program is designed to support community groups and organisations in developing and implementing effective community-based road safety projects.

Recipients included two Road Safety Collaboration Grants, awarded to the Clontarf Foundation ($93,000) and Victoria Walks ($149,270).

The Clontarf Foundation will put funding towards a program that aims to improve safety outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth by increasing access to the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) through professional driving lessons and road safety education.

Victoria Walks will utilise their grant for a project to assist in understanding community sentiment around safety in local streets and ways to promote the development of road and street environments that support safe and active travel.

Four organisations – Big Group Hug, Kidsafe Victoria, Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia, and On Country Pathways – were awarded Support Grants of more than $30,000, with funding going towards a variety of projects supporting vulnerable road users, children and young drivers.

There were also two Small Grants of $5,000 provided to Jika Jika Community Centre and Traralgon College, for programs working to improve cyclist safety in their communities.

The 2024 TAC Road Safety Grant Program will open for application on Monday, February 19th.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne

“Congratulations to all grant recipients – by supporting initiatives like these, we aim to create safer road environments and encourage collaborative efforts to address road safety challenges within our communities.”

“By collaborating with a diverse range of community groups and organisations, we’re working to make a lasting impact on road safety, by addressing the unique challenges faced by those using Victorian roads.”

Quotes attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter:

“Through the TAC Road Safety Grant Program, we’re empowering local community groups to be catalysts for change – driving meaningful projects that will improve road safety.”

“The TAC is dedicated to supporting initiatives that foster a collaborative approach to road safety, by working alongside the Victorian community in addressing the specific road safety challenges facing them.”