Opportunity to shape vital road upgrade

THE community now has a chance to have a say about how to improve a notorious intersection in Warrenheip.

Consultation opened on Monday 16 February over the Western Freeway and Brewery Tap Road Intersection Upgrade.

Members of the project team will be available at Warrenheip Memorial Hall on Saturday 21 February from 10am to 3pm to speak to residents and businesses.

Federal infrastructure minister and Member for Ballarat Catherine King said it was important residents provided feedback on the project.

Last year the Federal Government announced $100 million for planning and early works.

The minister said residents often contacted her who were concerned about safety issues that had emerged from the intersection.

“Someone who has come home, pretty shaken, got on the email and said, ‘Look, this has just happened to me’, and that’s pretty constant,” she said.

“I get emails every month about this intersection of someone who has had a near miss, or someone who has seen something happen that they think it’s really an accident waiting to happen.”

She said the consultation would cover a range of areas and was critical in the project’s development.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle said there had been a lot of discussion in the community about the intersection.

“We have wonderful towns like Dunnstown and Warrenheip,” she said. “For them this is a vital access. Be it to school, be it to work. So it’s crucial that we get it right for those communities, but of course the whole of Ballarat will be better off for having this work done.

“I was really grateful that Minister King announced $100 million for planning and early works here, and now this is the community’s opportunity to have their say.”

Consultation will be open until Sunday 8 March.

Warrenheip Memorial Hall is located at 535 Ti Tree Road, Warrenheip. Feedback can also be submitted at engage.vic.gov.au/western-fwy-brewery-tap-rd and more information can be found at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/western-fwy-brewery-tap-rd