At the Golden Plains Shire Council meeting last night, councillors resolved unanimously to support the following actions to help improve vulnerable road user safety in Teesdale and other townships:
1. Council to investigate options for the potential introduction of pedestrian awareness and traffic calming signage for drivers in localities with schools, with priority given to vulnerable users including children and seniors particularly around bus zones, school crossings, shops, educational and care facilities.
2. Identify the steps required to prepare a Road Safety Strategy for the Shire referencing the Victorian Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan. The proposed strategy is to provide priorities for advocacy on pedestrian and vulnerable road user safety, traffic calming, speed zones and limits, and reducing wildlife/vehicle collisions. Development of the Strategy would include deliberative engagement with individual township communities and the general community.
3. Update the Golden Plains Road Strategy.
4. Write to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Minister for Roads and Road Safety requesting an urgent review of speed limits and safety concerns in Teesdale and the need to identify endemic safety issues, noting a review of speed limits in the Teesdale Township zone is supported by both Council and the DTP.
5. Prioritise the implementation of a safe pedestrian crossing for Teesdale, as soon as practicable, recognising its immediate function to provide a safer pedestrian crossing for the many vulnerable road users who cross at this point, but also its further benefit as traffic calming infrastructure and increasing driver awareness of the township zone.
Council’s Interim CEO Steve Sagona said Council officers will now commence work as a priority to address the actions adopted by Council.
Golden Plains Shire Acting Mayor, Cr Helena Kirby said: “The actions adopted by Council clearly set out how Council plans to move forward and work towards improved road safety in Teesdale and throughout the Shire. We thank all community members who have reached out to us during this difficult time and once again extend our sincere condolences to Caleb Wesley’s family and all who knew him.”
It was noted at the Council meeting that the Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale is classified as an arterial road and is the responsibility of the State Government’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). Council supports any safety improvements on this road and continues to advocate for safety improvements on arterial roads throughout the Shire, including Bannockburn, Teesdale, Meredith and Smythesdale.
Council has been successful in seeking reduction of speed limits on some of the arterial roads within the Shire, including at the western entrance to Teesdale from 80 to 60 kph. In partnership with DTP, Council also coordinated the upgrade of a school bus stop at the western end of Teesdale. Council will continue to highlight community safety concerns and work in partnership with DTP to achieve safety improvements on arterial roads throughout the Shire.