Tuesday, 7 February 2023

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:11): (12) 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.