Commemorating a loved one who died on the road through building a memorial is often an important part of the grieving process, with deep significance for families and communities.
Greater Shepparton City Council adopted an updated roadside fatality memorial policy at the June council meeting that supports the construction of memorials while maintaining safety for mourners and road users.
Councillor Sam Spinks spoke in favour of the motion and emphasised the policy’s balance of community needs.
“It’s important, and what it focuses on is making sure that when a terrible thing happens on our roads, that there is a way for the family or impacted community members to be able to respectfully memorialise a site while maintaining the safety of road users,” Cr Spinks said.
The policy review focused on safety, risk minimisation, clearer construction requirements and inclusion of support services.
The policy outlines requirements that must be met to construct a memorial, such as choosing a location that would not cause danger to road users and using materials that would not cause injury if struck by a vehicle.
Mayor Shane Sali said the policy struck a balance between the community’s emotional connection to the sites of fatalities while still meeting safety obligations.
“We acknowledge and respect that people want to pay their respects,” Cr Sali said.
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