Wendouree Electorate Infrastructure – Ministerial Response

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Original Adjournment Matter from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action that I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on the progress being made to deliver the Keeping Ballarat Moving projects that are upgrading and improving key intersections across my electorate of Wendouree.

The Andrews Labor government is investing $60 million to upgrade a number of Ballarat’s busiest intersections in Alfredton, Lake Gardens, Lucas, Newington and Sebastopol. I am pleased that the works have been completed on a number of these important projects, including the Gillies and Gregory streets intersection at Lake Gardens near the Wendouree train station. The intersection upgrade supports the new east–west route, following the reopening of Gregory Street West, linking factories and industrial sites to Gillies Street and providing an alternate route from Alfredton and Lucas to Wendouree.

The upgrade of the Sturt Street–Russell Street–Morrison Street intersection in Newington is also making a real difference. The installation of traffic lights at this very business and dangerous intersection at Loreto College and Victoria Park has made it safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as students crossing over Sturt Street from the bus stop to enter Loreto and also students heading to St Patrick’s College and Ballarat Clarendon College on bike or foot.

It was fantastic to see the traffic lights switched on at the Delacombe Town Centre intersection at Wiltshire Lane and Glenelg Highway before Christmas, greatly improving traffic flow for shoppers, as well as residents living in Bonshaw, Delacombe, Smyths Creek and Winter Valley.

I am pleased to see that the works are nearly completed at the Ballarat–Carngham Road–Learmonth Street–Wiltshire Lane–La Trobe Street intersection. With the significant population growth in Winter Valley, Alfredton and Lucas, as well as the important community services, including Ballarat West police station and the Lucas fire station, this upgrade is incredibly timely and important for traffic flow.

As Ballarat continues to grow, the upgrades of these important intersections will make a real difference to the safety and connectivity of our city. I look forward to receiving the update from the minister on how the remaining Keeping Ballarat Moving projects are progressing and sharing this information with my community. Thank you.

 

Response from the Hon Melissa Horne MP, Minister for Roads and Road Safety (20 March 2023) –

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question and for her outstanding advocacy for this important program for her community.

The Andrews Labor Government is investing more than $60 million to upgrade six traffic hotspots and surrounding roads under the Keeping Ballarat Moving program. These upgrades will increase pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduce the risk of crashes at key intersections and improve travel around Ballarat to major shops and transport hubs, including the upgraded Wendouree train station.

Major works at four intersections have already been completed as part of the Keeping Ballarat Moving Program. New traffic signals at the intersection of Gillies Street and Gregory Street were switched on in August 2022. A raised safety platform was installed at the intersection of Hertford Street (Glenelg Highway) and Albert Street (Midland Highway), and new traffic signals were switched on in October 2022.

New traffic signals, switched on in December 2022, are improving pedestrian and cyclist safety at the intersection of Albert Street (Midland Highway) and Docwra Street, particularly for students and families attending the nearby Magpie Primary School. Also in December, new traffic signals were installed at the intersection of Wiltshire Lane and Glenelg Highway.

Most recently, new traffic signals were switched on at the corner of La Trobe Street and Wiltshire Lane on 7 March 2023.

The remaining Keeping Ballarat Moving project – the new roundabout at Dyson Drive and Ballarat- Carngham Road intersection – has progressed through design and pre-construction. Early works started in late 2022 to improve drainage and undertake service relocation, with construction to commence shortly.

The ‘Keeping Ballarat Moving’ program has delivered significant benefits to the Ballarat community and more will follow with the remaining works to be completed.

 

Watch and read more of my speeches to Parliament here, including responses from ministers on how we’re working for Wendouree.

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