By JESSE GRAHAM
VICROADS is inviting community members from the Yarra Ranges and beyond to have their say on roadside memorials, for a new policy to be released later this year.
The government body has opened an online forum for residents to give feedback on current policies regarding roadside memorials for fatality victims, which will close after Sunday 26 April.
The purpose of the forum, according to VicRoads Director of Policy and Standards, Andrew Wall, is to ensure VicRoads’ policies about roadside memorials are in line with the community’s wants.
“We’ve received feedback from a range of people who have provided a variety of differing views on the topic of roadside memorials,” he said.
“The review was prompted by feedback from members of the community and seeks to better support and respect the needs of all those affected by deaths on our roads.”
Discussion topics on the website include “should there be a consistent appearance for roadside memorials or should they be unique?” and “Is there an appropriate timeframe for roadside memorials?”
Conversation on the forums, while heated at times, allows residents to bring up their opinions on different types of memorials, and what, if anything, needs to be changed.
There are a number of roadside memorials located around the Yarra Ranges, dedicated to residents who have died in road fatalities.
Currently, roadside memorials can include wooden crosses, coloured posts, flowers or types of constructions with or without plaques or inscriptions.
Memorials must, however, be located in a position where they will not distract drivers, interfere with traffic control items (such as signs or traffic lights), not be hazardous to passing traffic and should minimise risk to visitors.
VicRoads’ website recommends that residents liaise with VicRoads in erecting a memorial, to ensure it complies with safety considerations and to register the owner’s details.
Over 1000 people have visited the feedback site since it was launched earlier this month, 150 comments have been posted and 1500 votes cast.
Summaries of the feedback provided on the website will be available by mid-June, and a new policy is expected to be in place by the second half of the year.
To visit the consultation site and to see VicRoads’ current policies about roadside memorials, visit consult.vicroads.vic.gov.au/roadside-memorial.
