Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s outstanding road safety strategies have been recognised on the national stage with the regional NSW council being announced a category winner at the 2020 National Awards for Local Government.
Federal Local Government Minister, Mark Coulton, congratulated the council, saying the awards celebrate the vital role local government plays in delivering services in communities across the country.
“These awards showcase the hard work of our local governments in delivering targeted, quality services to communities across the nation and I am proud to see Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council recognised,” Mr Coulton said.
“In taking out the Excellence in Road Safety category with its Safe Systems Speed Project, this Council has made their community a safer place to live and raise a family,”
“Projects like this highlight the great work of councils across regional Australia that, despite challenges, continue to strive to make their communities strong, vibrant places that provide compelling justifications for more and more Australian families to get out of the city.”
Over 100 applications were submitted across all categories of this year’s awards – local projects to improve local arts, regional growth, cultural heritage, public safety, and disability access.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the council’s project highlighted how each and every one of us has a vital role to play in promoting road safety.
“Moving towards zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads is a key goal of our Government, which is why it is fantastic to see local councils like Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council working hard with their communities to deliver targeted road safety projects,” Mr Buchholz said.
“With speed identified as a factor in almost 31 per cent of casualty crashes on roads operated by the council, they have delivered an innovative, data-led initiative using the Safe System approach to road safety to improve local driver behaviour,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Finding innovative ways to make safety front of mind for road users is key to supporting Safe System principles, the holistic road safety approach that underpins the current National Road Safety Strategy and will continue in the next one for 2021-30.”
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Cr Tim Overall said he was proud to accept the award on behalf of Council’s dedicated staff.
“The Safe Systems Speed Project for Local Roads has achieved a reduction in excess speeding at an impressive 51 sites across our local government area. It involved deploying mobile speed trailers, engaging with the local community, and improving driver behaviours.
“The results of this project increase public safety and protect our community from casualty crashes on our roads. I’m very proud to see the efforts of our dedicated staff recognised and rewarded with this national award,” Mayor Overall said.
Category winners are now in the running for the 2020 National Award for Excellence in Local Government. This award and the Minister’s Award for Progressive Community Leadership will be announced at the 2020 National Award for Excellence in Local Government later in the year.
A full list of category winners, including project details, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/nalg
