Council to seek new L2P Driver Mentor Program provider
Published on 22 March 2023
Gannawarra Shire Council will work with the Department of Transport to find a suitable community-based organisation to operate the L2P Driver Mentor Program locally from 1 July 2023.
Councillors endorsed a recommendation at the March 2023 Council Meeting for Council to decline a further extension of its contract to operate the learner driver mentor program beyond the end of the 2022/23 financial year, ending a 10-year association with the program.
“Council is pleased to be one of 59 councils and community organisations to operate the Transport Accident Commission-funded program, which assists eligible learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 years who do not have access to a supervising driver, or an appropriate vehicle to gain the 120 hours of driving experience required for a probationary licence,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
“Unfortunately during the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, the October-December 2022 floods, the program has struggled to continue, especially with the loss of dedicated volunteers, the lack of a donated vehicle and ongoing challenge in trying to recruit a program coordinator.”
Council receives funding to support 20 learner drivers at any given time, but due to unavailability and lack of mentor drivers, the programs is currently limited to supporting five learner drivers.
The program also relies on a dedicated vehicle, with numerous regional car dealers declining Council’s requests to provide a donated vehicle for participants to use.
“Council has explored innovative ways to try and make this program operate effectively, including using a Council pool vehicle due to the lack of a dedicated vehicle for the program and our Community Care team administering the program due to the inability to attract a program coordinator,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Council looks forward to working with the community to find a suitable community-based organisation to operate this important program into the future.”