VicRoads is responsible to the Government to deliver statutory and policy obligations as set out in legislation and various Government policies. Our responsibilities are summarised in the following areas:
Road system management
Traffic and transport integration
Road safety
Registration and licensing
Organisational performance
Financial performance
Growing Victoria Together details the State Government's vision for growing and linking all of Victoria by continuing to improve transport and communication infrastructure. Part of the vision is also to protect the environment for future generations and efficiently use resources.
Major developments in Victoria's Transport System aim to deliver the objectives of the State Government's Growing Victoria Together Strategy, Moving forward: Victoria's Provincial Statement, Linking Melbourne: Melbourne Metropolitan Transport Plan, Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth and Meeting our Transport Challenges: Connecting Victoria's Communities. The Federal Government's AusLink Policy identifies priority routes eligible for funding contributions from the Federal Government.
The Planning Environment Act establishes a framework for planning the use, development and protection of land in Victoria in the present and long term interest of all Victorians.
The Transport Act 1983 gives VicRoads responsibility for developing and implementing traffic management strategies and practices to achieve the efficient and safe movement of traffic.
The Traffic and Transport Integration Program is delivered taking into account the Victorian Government's vision for growing and linking all of Victoria outlined in Growing Victoria Together.
Melbourne 2030 provides a land use and transport management framework for achieving the sustainable growth of the metropolitan area. The Linking Melbourne: Metropolitan Transport Plan is an integrated transport plan for inner and outer Melbourne.Meeting our Transport Challenges provides the Government's action plan for expanding the reach and capacity of Victoria's Transport System over the next 20 years. VicRoads has a key role in implementing these plans including:
- improving road safety
- providing safer and better access to public transport
- improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
- improving the reliability and flow of road-based public transport
- making existing roads operate better
- improving outer metropolitan roads
- improving freight connections and access to key freight routes
- improving travel choice and local amenity.
Under the Transport Act 1983, VicRoads role is to improve the community's awareness of road safety strategies and implement traffic management strategies and practices to achieve the efficient and safe movement of traffic. Together with the Road Safety Act 1986, which gives VicRoads a range of powers with respect to driver behavior, driver licensing and vehicle registration, the aim is to provide for safe, efficient and equitable road use.
Improving road safety is one of the key priorities of the Victorian Government's vision for building friendly, confident and safe communities under Growing Victoria Together.
VicRoads works closely with its road safety partners to deliver arrive alive! Victoria's Road Safety Strategy 2008–2017. The strategy aims to reduce annual deaths and serious injuries from road crashes by 30 per cent by 2017 as well as reducing the severity of serious injuries.
Under the Road Safety Act and the Chattel Securities Act 1987, VicRoads administers the registration of motor vehicles and trailers in Victoria and the licensing of drivers. It also maintains a register of financial commitments that apply to vehicles.
VicRoads registration and licensing procedures and systems are provided in accordance with the Transport Act. One of the objectives of the Act is to improve and simplify registration and licensing procedures and systems.
A key objective for VicRoads under the Transport Act is to improve productivity. To achieve this, VicRoads is required to maintain high levels of motivation, performance, team work and safe working practices. Staff are given opportunities for career development to enhance their skills so they are equipped to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently. This includes interacting with the community in a helpful and courteous manner.
Decision making is delegated to appropriate levels in the Corporation, and changes are implemented through a process of effective consultation and participation in decision making.
In addition, the Transport Act enables VicRoads to compete for work on the open market, and undertake research into any matter related to the performance of its functions.
VicRoads has a number of strategies to improve its capabilities including Great People–Smart Services, Our Information - Our Future and VicRoads Customer Service Strategy. They provide direction for meeting the challenges set out in VicRoads Corporate Plan.
Under Growing Victoria Together, the State Government is committed to maintaining responsible financial management.
The Transport Act provides that VicRoads must make use of available transport resources in ways that are most beneficial to the community. Part IV of the Act contains the specific financial powers and responsibilities which are undertaken in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994.