Residents shape road safety upgrades

THE State Government has praised input from the Buninyong Road Safety Committee in shaping a pair of road safety upgrades to be undertaken in the town later this year.

Road safety experts from Transport Victoria have worked alongside the committee to identify, shape and design the two upgrades on the Midland Highway and Warrenheip Street.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle said the upgrades would help keep drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safer in the growing community.

“We’ve listened to the community and are getting on with these upgrades which will see a boost in road safety along key routes in the town, benefitting all road users,” she said.

Upgrades to a section of the Midland Highway (Learmonth Street), from Cornish Street to Lal Lal Street, will include line marking changes to shorten the overtaking lane and the creation of dedicated left and right turn lanes at the intersections to reduce the risk of rear-end crashes.

A speed limit reduction will be introduced on Warrenheip Street, with speeds reduced from 60 kilometres per hour to 40, in a high-activity pedestrian area stretching from Learmonth Street to Palmerston Street.

As part of the upgrades, line marking changes will also be provided for on-road cycling lanes.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne acknowledged the advice given by the Buninyong Community Road Safety Committee.

“Local voices have helped shapes these two road safety upgrades, ensuring it delivers what the community wants and needs,” she said.

“We said we’re going to improve road safety in Buninyong by listening to the people who know the area best and that’s exactly what we are doing.”

Established in late 2022, the committee includes representatives from the Buninyong and District Community Association, Traffic Action Group, City of Ballarat, Victoria Police, and the logistics and freight industry.

The committee has focused on priority projects in the village area of the township, with key themes identified including supporting the safe movement of pedestrians through the township area, the desire for a road environment that encourages safer vehicle speeds, and removing barriers to, and improving opportunity for, active transport.

Ms Settle said the community would be kept informed on the progress of both projects as they move closer to delivery.