Council adopts stance on trial

Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders have decided against endorsing a proposed 70kmh speed-limit trial on the municipality’s gravel roads.

Mayor Tony Driscoll said the council’s decision followed an extensive community consultation period.

“Councillors are elected to represent the best interests of our community, and in the council’s eyes, the impact upon our ratepayers would simply be too great for us to endorse any trial on our local roads,” he said.

“Throughout this process, we have maintained that our judgment would be guided by the voice of our community, and what we have heard, almost overwhelmingly, is that our community does not want to see this trial take place on our roads.

“As the elected representatives of the community, it would be irresponsible for council to adopt any other position. We have said time and time again that this is a council committed to consulting and engaging with community and that consultation process has led us to this decision.”

Cr Driscoll said while the council would not formally endorse the proposed trial, it would support other means of increasing road safety.

“We are happy to continue to work closely with Victoria Police and other State Government entities to decrease the rate of injuries and deaths on our roads, and we are open to any discussions or approaches around how we achieve those goals,” he said.