Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic had a productive meeting on 9 November with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) CEO Joe Calafiore and TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield to discuss road safety priorities for Brimbank and Victoria.
Discussions centred around road safety priorities such as the common interest in pushing towards a zero road toll, and Council’s ongoing work to fix the Calder Freeway, which has been identified as one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads.
As Mayor, Cr Rasic has been leading a strong campaign calling for the State and Federal Governments to ‘Fix the Calder’ – to make it safe, get it moving and do it now.
Brimbank’s Fix the Calder campaign calls on the State and Federal governments to invest in major upgrades that will improve safety on the Calder, reduce congestion and provide better access and connections to cater for population and freight growth.
TAC were very supportive of Council’s safety priority of upgrading the Calder Freeway. Council expressed its interest in finding opportunities to align its efforts with TAC’s priorities around improving safety along the Calder and for our community.
Big wins so far include getting the State Government to match the Federal Government’s funding commitment with $100 million now secured. Council has also secured State Government commitment to remove the Calder Park Drive level crossing and start planning for a new diamond interchange at the Calder Freeway at Calder Park Drive. However, significantly more will be required to help achieve the full scope of works needed.
TAC also briefed Council on its current strategic priorities such as the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and the Towards Zero 2016-2020 Road Safety Strategy, as well as on other road safety matters, programs and initiatives for the Brimbank area that Council could support and align with.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic:
“I’m pleased to have had productive discussions with the Transport Accident Commission, including an opportunity to update the TAC on Council’s ongoing drive to fix the Calder Freeway, and to learn more of its strategies to improve road safety.
“I’m pleased to say TAC was supportive of our call to ‘Fix the Calder’ and Council will continue to engage with the TAC around potential opportunities to help make this stretch of road safer.
“I commend the TAC for the important work it does in helping to improve and promote road safety, supporting those who’ve been injured on our roads and helping them get their lives back on track.
“Council fully backs the TAC Towards Zero strategy, this will help create a safe road system for all Victorians.
“Council looks forward to working closely with TAC on any opportunities to align efforts around improving safety along the Calder and other areas, for our community.”
