TAC Forum

TAC COMMUNITY ROAD SAFETY GRANTS
FORUM 3PM FRIDAY MARCH 12

As part of the TAC’s sponsorship of the 2010 District Conference, the TAC is conducting a special forum for Rotarians about their Road Safety Grant Program. Information about these Grants is below. They are very relevant to Rotary Clubs and communities and are aimed at saving lives and reducing road trauma.

We would like at least one member – or more! - from each Club in the District to attend this Forum.

The Forum will be held at the spectacular new TAC building at 60 Brougham St., Geelong (corner Clare St.) which is virtually right behind Deakin University where the Conference is being held. The Forum will go for less than one hour and afternoon tea will be provided by the TAC.

If you would like to attend the Forum on March 12, please email PP Keith Fagg on kfagg@faggs.com.au with your name and Club or phone Keith on 0408 593496.

We look forward to seeing you there!

TAC COMMUNITY ROAD SAFETY GRANT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) offers community groups in Victoria the opportunity to apply for funding for road safety projects under the Community Road Safety Grants Program.

The TAC makes grants of up to $20,000 available for community-based projects conducted by Victorian not-for-profit groups that can demonstrate a specific local road safety issue and create a project to address it.

The program aims to:

You can download a copy of the guidelines at www.tacsafety.com.au or contact the Community Road Safety Grants officer on (03)5225 6954 to request a hard copy.

Road safety in Victoria
Crashes are a major cause of death and serious injury in our community and all road users have a responsibility for making our roads safer.

Key Government organisations work together on a statewide road safety strategy. These include the TAC, VicRoads, the Department of Justice and the Victoria Police, with support from other bodies such as the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the RACV.

Local road safety issues are often best dealt with at a local level. Communities can have particular road safety needs and often local community groups can be well-placed to identify these specific problems and implement solutions. Community based road safety programs that integrate with Victoria's broader strategy are important in reducing road trauma.

Information about road safety in Victoria can be found on-line:
arrive alive –www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au
VicRoads – www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
RoadSafe (Community Road Safety Councils) – www.roadsafe.org.au

What types of projects will be eligible for funding?
Victoria is recognised internationally as a leader in developing and implementing successful road safety programs in areas such as impaired driving (alcohol, drugs and fatigue), speeding and vehicle safety. These issues are addressed in Victoria’s arrive alive Road Safety Strategy through initiatives that integrate enforcement, mass media communications and programs that target specific groups in our community.

Many communities already contribute to Victoria’s achievements in road safety.This is because they are often ideally placed to understand local issues and are well connected to particular groups that are most affected.

How much funding can my community group apply for?
The TAC will consider applications of $20,000 or less. Applications for larger funding amounts can be discussed with the Community Road Safety Grants officer for suitability on (03)5225 6954.

When are the closing dates for applications?

In 2009/10, the closing dates for applications in Round 6 is 12 February 2010.The TAC will inform applicants of decisions approximately 6 weeks after the closing date. Round 7 will close on 6 August 2010 and Round 8 in February 2011.

An example of a successful application submitted by a Rotary Club:

The Rotary Club of Tullamarine successfully applied for a grant of $20,000 in Round 4 to provide licensed premises with access to breathalyser devices. The project, ‘Your Responsibility - Rotary & Are You Right to Drive’ aims to reduce drink driving in the community by assisting patrons in local establishments to understand BAC levels and low level impairment caused by alcohol.

The club, with its partners was able to demonstrate the road safety issues associated with drink drinking in its community. Partners to this project include Hume City Council.