Moira Shire Council is standing by a decision to reduce the speed limit on Labuan Rd as it seeks funding for a massive overhaul of the road.
Council recently reduced the speed limit to 80km along the entire stretch of Labuan Rd to reduce the potential for road crashes.
The move has created division within the community, with many against the limit change.
Panel of administrators chair John Tanner has vigorously defended the decision.
“We acknowledge that this decision may be met with opposition from some residents, but we make no apologies for prioritising road safety,” he said.
“Tough decisions are necessary to protect lives and prevent further tragedies.”
Mr Tanner said the move was not made to punish drivers or raise revenue but to save lives and the move aligns with the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2030, which seeks to create safer roads.
“Over the past decade, the council (operated) stretch of Labuan Rd alone has witnessed seven casualty crashes and two fatalities, excluding the recent incident on the Murray Valley Hwy,’’ Mr Tanner said.
The most recent crash, Mr Tanner referred to, was the one in which five people lost their lives in April of 2023.
Since the collision, shire roads and driving behaviour of road users have been in the spotlight, with council data showing that in 2022 and 2023, 19 fatal crashes have occurred in the shire.
Evidence has shown poor driver behaviour has been a contributing factor.
Local police officers support the council’s decision to reduce the speed limit, with Cobram police Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe warning that police would enforce the change vigorously.
“We are working with our partner agencies to make the road safe, considering the history of Labuan Rd and its intersections,” Sgt Ractliffe said.
“Police are actively conducting police operations on Labuan Rd to ensure people stick to the new speed limits."
At the council meeting on Wednesday, October 25, council announced it was seeking up to $2 million through the Commonwealth Infrastructure Investment Blackspot Program.
If successful, funds would be allocated in the 2024-25 financial year to overhaul Labuan Rd.
Council is also investigating the replacement of several single-lane bridges over irrigation channels that are nearing the end of their useful lives.
Some of these single-lane bridges are located along Labuan Rd.