Southern Downs Regional Council in Queensland has taken home the award for Excellence in Road Safety at the 2016 National Awards for Local Government for their work with backpackers.
The award recognises the work that Southern Downs Regional Council has done with key stakeholders involved with the Backpackers and Seasonal Workers Road Safety Taskforce.
The taskforce and public campaign aimed to educate and improve road safety behaviours of young backpackers in the region.
In a concerted effort, Council engaged with police, employment agencies, fruit and vegetable growers, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), the Department of Transport, and other relevant local groups.
A series of initiatives were implemented, including: innovative signage and road markings; road safety marketing materials in different languages; community events to welcome backpackers and seasonal workers to the region; and online materials that highlight driving issues that are unique to Queensland and Australia.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s Mayor Tracy Dobie welcomed the award announcement by the Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Paul Fletcher, in late April.
“The Taskforce was established and the campaign initiated in 2015 after some fatal crashes involving foreign backpackers and recognition that further road safety education and awareness was required,” said the Mayor.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Council and our partners to gain national exposure for this innovative project.
“This campaign has demonstrated a collaborative and integrated approach to educating backpackers and seasonal workers, which has attracted the attention of other local government authorities in Queensland and New South Wales seeking to emulate aspects of these initiatives in their own regions.”
Council is also in the running for the overall National Local Government Award in Excellence, which will be announced on 21 June at the National General Assembly of Local Government, in Canberra.
