The remote Goldfields community of Leonora is proving you don’t have to be big to make a difference when it comes to road safety.
The Shire of Leonora formed the #SaferLeonora Committee in April 2022, the only one of its kind in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
In February this year the Shire adopted the Committee’s road safety action plan to promote safe road use, roads and vehicles in collaboration with WALGA’s RoadWise Program.
Under the plan the #SaferLeonora Committee will advocate for funding to purchase digital message boards encouraging drivers to slow down, book WALGA RoadWise courtesy speed display signs, promote community reporting of hazards, run education and monitoring campaigns, and develop incentives to reduce overcrowded and unroadworthy vehicle use.
Specific campaigns for Aboriginal communities and tourists will form part of the strategy, as will a photo voices campaign for National Road Safety Week in May.
That plan is now being replicated by the Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils.
The #SaferLeonora Committee sees police and the Shire engage with the community and pool resources to drive crime prevention and safety measures.
“While the police have a significant role in ensuring community safety, we realise the benefit of supporting and encouraging our community to be part of the solution,” Shire of Leonora President Cr Peter Craig said.
“Providing the community with an opportunity to work in partnership with police also builds greater trust and value in policing.”
Committee members include representatives from the departments of Health and Education, non-profits, mining industry and the Wongatha community.
The full Road Safety Action Plan can be accessed in the Shire of Leonora’s February Council Meeting Agenda.
National Road Safety Week runs from May 14 – 21.
Acknowledgement of Country
WALGA acknowledges the continuing connection of Aboriginal people to Country, culture and community. We embrace the vast Aboriginal cultural diversity throughout Western Australia, including Boorloo (Perth), on the land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar People, where WALGA is located and we acknowledge and pay respect to Elders past and present.