Douglas Shire Council received a grant for $24,500 as part of the State Government’s $1 million Community Road Safety Grants program, as an endeavour to improve road safety in local areas.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said 40 organisations would receive funds under the Palaszczuk Government’s Community Road Safety Grants program.

“These grants help local organisations and groups address road safety issues at a grass- roots level through the development of education initiatives, projects and other worthwhile community-based programs,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said the Douglas Shire Council received a grant to remind the community of important safety messages.

“The council will use the $24,500 funding to buy a variable message sign which displays real time information to motorists and pedestrians and encourage safe road user behaviour,” Mr Bailey said.

Mayor Julie Leu said Council are pleased to have been successful in their application for funding under the State Government’s Community Road Safety Grants Program.

“The $24,500 will be used to purchase on a variable message sign which will enable Council to deliver road safety messages throughout the Douglas Shire.

“The mobile message board will enable Council to tailor road safety messages to whatever the situation is, such as warning motorists about cyclone damage ahead, urging them not to drive through floodwaters or informing them about impending roadworks in a particular area.

“Having this flexibility to deliver important road safety messages will benefit not just Council but also our local emergency services as it will discourage risky driving behaviour which can endanger lives.

“It will also help to inform our communities about roadworks activities so they can plan their traffic movements around them to minimise the impact.

“Council hopes to have the mobile message board operational early in the new year and is grateful to the State Government for recognising the importance of delivering these messages to our communities,” said Mayor Leu.

This community project idea was developed by locals who know what is needed in their area to keep road users and pedestrians safe.