Grant to Improve Indigenous Road Safety

D3/2008

29 October 2008

A grant of up to $30,000 to improve indigenous road safety was announced at the Fourth Indigenous Road Safety Forum in Cairns today.

The grant, to be administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in 2009-10, will be awarded to a project that makes a significant contribution to reducing road trauma for indigenous people.

One of the key initiatives of the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010 is to support collaboration between state and territory governments to reduce the numbers of indigenous Australians killed or injured on the nation's roads.

The Department has worked in partnership with Queensland Transport to present the Fourth Indigenous Road Safety Forum from 29-31 October, which is being attended by over 80 people from around Australia.

The forum provides an opportunity for practitioners in a variety of fields to work together to assess and progress actions to improve road safety outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

The forum also encourages the sharing of resources and information to help in maintaining an ongoing national commitment to address road safety issues involving Indigenous people.

The forum includes presentations by several recognised road safety practitioners. A number of workshops at the forum are aimed at addressing current issues of concern, including engaging Indigenous communities, improving statistical data and addressing risky road user behaviour.

A highlight is a visit to the local Yarrabah Aboriginal Community to discuss road safety issues of interest to the community.

Information on the grant is available from Steve Pantelidis, Road Safety Branch. Phone 02 6274 7045.

Departmental Media Contact:

1300 732 749 or media@infrastructure.gov.au