An alliance of organisations will host a motorsport vehicle street parade, which will bring up to 30 modified motorsport vehicles on a set parade route commencing in Gordon St, up and down Barkly Street and out to Aradale for a photo shoot, to return in the late afternoon. 

The organisations are: Ararat Police, Northern Grampians Highway Patrol, Ararat Rural City Council, Wimmera Off Street Drag Racing Club, Australian Auto Sport Alliance, VicRoads and Beat the Heat Victoria.

The parade will be the first of its kind in the Ararat community, and organisers said the aim is to demonstrate to community groups and festival organisers the current process for parades run on open public roads.  

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive, Dr Tim Harrison said the organisation was excited to be working with the community to help with this process, especially as it can seem complicated. 

"Our Events Officer Annie Fraser is working closely with our local police to ensure the checklist has everything needed from a legislative perspective," Dr Harrison said. 

"Council is really keen to see new events like this happen in our shire and we are happy to help in any way we can." 

Dr Harrison said Ms Fraser was available to chat to other organisations wishing to hold similar events. 

“It’s a great opportunity for junior motorsport officials to learn about road permits, street cruises and all of the steps involved in planning a parade for motorsport vehicles," he said.

Senior Constable Danielle Richardson said young people had jumped on board with the organising process.

"The youth have been involved since the initial idea right through the planning and permit process; they will also be assisting as junior officials during the event and during the post-event evaluation," she said.

Senior Constable Richardson said the process involved compiling a risk assessment, motorsport insurer permit, council event application, Vicroads event applications and vehicle permits in addition to liaising with festival organisers, host motorsport and car clubs and Aradale facility managers.

Planning  commenced in November.

“The most time-critical aspect of the process is that Vicroads require a minimum of 60 days to assess the application,” Senior Constable Richardson said.

"Organisers need to have their applications past council and local police before they lodge their Vicroads event application. This is the same time frame, regardless of whether the parade is conducted on an open or a closed road."

The cruise also holds a second, equally important purpose, said Wimmera Off Street Drag Racing president Gavin Hynam.  

“The youth are keen to use this cruise to raise awareness of youth mental health, as this cruise is officially endorsed by Drive Against Depression," he said.

"Each entrant will be given a dashboard sticker that has contact numbers for helplines and positive slogans.

"It’s a small way of reducing the stigma around mental health and helping the youth to keep an eye on their mates when they are going through tough times.” 

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