GREATER Shepparton City Council has revised its policy on roadside fatality memorials, introducing updated requirements for their construction and maintenance.
The Roadside Fatality Memorial Policy aims to assist affected members of the community seeking to establish a roadside memorial while safeguarding and informing applicants on the potential risks involved.
Community members wishing to install a roadside memorial must first propose their plans to council who are responsible for managing and assessing requests, responding sensitively to all matters.
The policy outlines that roadside memorials must be located in a position that will not distract drivers or cause interference with passing traffic or roadworks and be constructed out of non hazardous materials.
When visiting a roadside memorial, applicants are encouraged to develop safe practices such as attending the site during low traffic periods and checking that the memorial is maintained in a neat and tidy condition.
Roadside fatality memorials also known as roadside tributes or roadside shrines allow grieving community members to mark and honour the location of a loved one’s death caused by a roadside accident and may include items such as wooden crosses, floral arrangements or plaques featuring inscriptions.
Roadside memorials are generally installed temporarily for up to 12 months whereby applicants seeking permanent memorials will need to contact the policy’s project manager at the time of applying.
Road Trauma Support Services are available on 1300 367 797.
