• $5 million funding for community group Town Team Movement
• Money to be spent on traffic calming and speed reduction initiatives
• Supported by Main Roads, Department of Transport, Road Safety Commission and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA)

The Cook Government is continuing its investment in road safety, today announcing a $5 million funding commitment to the Town Team Movement (TTM).

TTM is a citizen-led, not-for-profit, independent initiative that works collaboratively with residents, local governments and businesses to create connected, resilient communities and better places.

The funding of $1 million per annum over the next five years will enable local community groups and councils to improve the safety and amenity of streets through traffic calming and speed reduction.

Evidence demonstrates that slower speeds mean fewer and less serious crashes.

Under the initiative, funds will go directly towards local traffic calming initiatives on roads across the State via a grants program which would include categories such as Road Transformation, Safer Streets and Town Projects.

Funding will also be spent on building support and understanding of the program, including undertaking road safety education in targeted regional and metropolitan areas and working directly with councils and communities to support on-ground projects and grant applications.

Representatives from Main Roads, Department of Transport, Road Safety Commission and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) will provide support for the program.

Comments attributed to Road Safety Minister David Michael:

"This funding demonstrates the State Government's commitment to supporting the community to deliver initiatives aligned to their needs and expectations for safe and active streets.

"Community driven traffic calming and speed reduction initiatives enable improved road safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities and other non-vehicle forms of transport such as mobility scooters.

"The Town Team Movement empowers communities to get involved in creating positive changes in their local area to improve liveability, as well as fostering a positive road safety culture.

"The Cook Government is proud to support this grass roots movement with its programs such as Safer Speeds and Better Places, which aims to build safer, more connected and vibrant neighbourhoods."

Comments attributed to Maylands MLA Lisa Baker:

"This is an example of the Cook Government's commitment to creating a safer and more vibrant community.

"I worked for more than five years advocating for the introduction of a 40kph variable speed zone on Beaufort Street between Crawford Road and Central Avenue.

"I am pleased to say that this has already delivered safety benefits for the local community."

Comments attributed to WALGA State President Karen Chappel AM:

"At WALGA we are very pleased to see additional support for the Town Team Movement.

"While these projects are about improving road safety, we welcome the enormous benefit of our communities getting involved in improving and activating what they see as important places and making their towns and cities better places to live." 

Comments attributed to Town Team Movement Co-Founder Jimmy Murphy:

"Town Team Movement is thrilled to be working with the State Government and its transport agencies, RAC, WALGA, local governments, local communities and Town Teams to support them in making our roads safer and our places more vibrant through this funding."