Long awaited roadworks near done

THE roundabout at the eastern entrance to Bannockburn was promised less than three years ago by the Federal Government, and now it’s been delivered.

With works at the site nearly complete, Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson visited the project at the intersection of Geelong, Kelly and Clyde roads and High Street on Monday.

“It is an incredibly important project for the Morrison Government,” she said.

“It’s delivered a major safety boost for the people who live in Bannockburn and this will directly impact some 10,000 motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists every single day.”

Ms Henderson pledged the roundabout, something many people from Bannockburn had been calling on for several years, during her unsuccessful tilt at the Federal seat of Corangamite during the 2019 election.

Despite losing to Labor’s Libby Coker, Ms Henderson pursued the $3.2 million project.

“This is all about the Liberals getting things done because this was a commitment by the Liberal Party,” she said.

“The Morrison Government was re-elected so we could deliver this project. It reflects the Liberal’s very strong commitment to regional roads and road safety.”

The capital works at the site included the removal of the awkward split Y-shaped intersection, replacing it with a roundabout as well as new footpaths and landscaping.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the improvements were a long time coming and would make the area safer.

“I’ve personally witnessed some near collisions and seen the aftermath of several other ones at this location in the past,” he said.

“This is a great example of community infrastructure that’s going to benefit everyone.”

With another Federal election in the offing this year, Ms Henderson was joined in Bannockburn by the Liberal candidate for Corangamite, Stephanie Asher.

While neither would reveal any new election pledges or funding announcements for the south east corner of the Shire, both said they were keen to hear from locals on perceived priorities.

“Listening to the community is the first step,” Ms Asher said.

“There’s a lot of things going on, it’s a very big growing population, so we need to make sure we’ve got the infrastructure to suit.”