As we mark the one-year anniversary of the fatal collision on the Murray Valley Highway at Strathmerton, Moira Shire Council's Chair Administrator John Tanner AM is reminding our community of the importance driving safely on our roads.
"Our whole community was deeply affected by the tragic collision last April which claimed the lives of five people. We came together as a community to support the families and relatives of those who lost their lives, as well as all members of our community that have been impacted by road trauma," said Mr Tanner.
"The past 12-months have been harsh on Moira Shire roads, with 12 fatalities recorded. This toll is too high. I urge drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and drive to conditions – driver behaviour is the single most important factor in preventing accidents on the road."
Moira Shire Council continues to advocate for safety on our roads in alignment with the objectives of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030, aiming to create safer rural roads for all users.
In 2023, Moira Shire Council was announced as one of 11 councils to take part in the first stage of the Labor Government's $210 million Safe Local Roads and Streets Program and will continue working with the Department of Transport and Planning and the Transport Accident Commission over the next four years to identify, plan, develop and deliver more road safety upgrades on our local roads.
Moira Shire Council has also been successful in gaining funding through the Transport Accident Commission's Local Government Grant Program, which will see the completion of the Moira Shire Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, as well as the Nathalia Safer Pedestrian Project.
"Council will be taking a leading role in working closely with the Transport Accident Commission on local initiatives and delivery on road safety for the whole shire. To compliment this, Council will be initiating in house training for staff on road safety," said Mr Tanner.
As we remember the tragic collision at Strathmerton 12-months ago, Mr Tanner is reminding residents of the memorial placed in Federation Park, Cobram.
"It serves as a site to show our reverence and commemorate the lives lost on our roads – not only in the past year, but before that too."
