Huon Valley Council, together with Tasmania Police, actively participated in this year’s National Road Safety Week from 5 to 12 May 2024.

To mark the beginning of this important safety week, Tasmania Police conducted a high-profile traffic operation in Huonville. Transport Tasmania, together with Tas Road Policing Services and Huonville Officers were on scene inspecting vehicles and doing breath and drug testing.

Mayor Sally Doyle hosted a lunch time staff BBQ and there was a great staff turn out, with food flying right off the BBQ and serving trays. Delicious cupcakes, topped with the (edible) iconic National Road Safety Week yellow ribbons were also enjoyed by all in attendance – thank you Mayor Doyle!

Road Safety Week is a cause close to our Mayor’s heart and she spoke with staff about one very recent and personal close call on the roads, involving her young granddaughter.

Police Inspector Riley and Sergeant Fogarty were on hand to have a chat with staff and spread the word about the importance of staying safe on our roads. Staff also heard from Lisa, a former HVC employee who tragically lost her son in a preventable accident in the Huon 17 years ago.

Throughout the week, learner drivers training through the Gearing Up program received information packs from their mentors, focusing on those frequently misunderstood road rules.

To close the week, Council held a free community sausage sizzle where approximately 50 people popped by and grabbed a snag or salmon taco, or both! – thank you to Huon Aquaculture for partnering with us for this event. Mayor Doyle and Council staff talked with community members and handed out goodie bags containing National Road Safety Week stickers and ribbons, information sheets on road safety rules and creatively designed yellow iced biscuits in the shape of cars.

A special well done to Tyler Barton and Lacie Clifford who won our colouring in competition hosted in the Huon News! (see their artwork below)

“Thank you to all our staff members who were involved in making the week such a success,” said Mayor Doyle.

To end, a note to Council staff from CEO Lachlan Kranz to wrap up National Road Safety Week 2024:

“Please remember that there is no deadline or meeting worth risking lives to get to – plan ahead, slow down, be alert and get there safely. Together, let’s help create a safer environment on the roads we use every day.”