Work to restore one of Ballarat’s most recognised icons, the Arch of Victory, will commence on Monday 2 May.

The works to the Arch of Victory have been scheduled to occur at the same time as the works on the roundabout at the intersection of Sturt Street and Learmonth Street to reduce the overall traffic impacts on residents.

“Council understands the impacts that road works can cause on the daily lives of residents and we have worked closely with Integra and Vic Roads to plan these works and minimise any disruption” said City of Ballarat Cr Craig Fletcher, Mayor.

“By running the works together, we will shorten the total time for traffic disruptions by around six weeks.”

The restoration works are expected to be completed in the next three months and include repairs to the Arch’s rendering and mouldings.

Mayor Cr Craig Fletcher said “the restorative works were the result of 12 months of planning between Council and the Avenue of Honour/Arch of Victory Committee of Management”.  

“The Arch is the only one of its scale and significance in Victoria. It is important that we work together with the committee to ensure its ongoing preservation”.

“The planning stage has been intensive; Council has worked closely with heritage architects and Heritage Victoria to develop the specifications required in order for us to carry out the preservation of one of Ballarat’s most treasured icons.”

There will be changes to traffic conditions during the Arch of Victory restoration project from Sunday 1 May.

Scaffolding will be erected over the Arch to allow access for the works.

The westbound carriageway will be closed to traffic and the eastbound carriageway will become two way during the project.

Opposing traffic flows on the eastbound carriageway will be separated by concrete barriers.

Westbound traffic will be returned to a westbound carriageway approximately 250 metres west of the Arch of Victory to reduce any potential impact to the businesses along that strip.

Cr Fletcher said “ we take the concerns of small business operators very seriously and that’s why we have acted to reduce any potential impacts to their businesses”.

Short term traffic delays are expected on the eastbound carriageway. Motorists are encouraged to consider travel via the Ring Road, Learmonth Road and Gillies Street where possible.

In December last year, the project received a boost with a $335,000 grant from the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and more recently $175,000 from the Federal Government’s National Sites Program.

The project includes the repair and restoration of the elevations and ledges of the Arch of Victory includes:

• Repair and replacement of deteriorated, cracked and otherwise damaged render
• New matching mouldings to replace deteriorated mouldings or reinstate original mouldings

• Removal of lichen and other organic growth to rendered surfaces
• Mineral based paint coating to new and existing render
• Installation of new lighting

Work has already commenced on the new roundabout at the intersection of Sturt and Learmonth Streets.  The new roundabout will be different in size and layout from the temporary roundabout currently at the intersection.

The new roundabout is being built by private company Integra.  Its construction is by way of a developer contribution required as part of its planning permit for development of the Insignia housing estate on the site of the former Ballarat Golf Course.

City of Ballarat was involved in early meetings with the developer and with VicRoads which considered aspects of design, the heritage needs of the area and considerations around the close proximity of the Arch of Victory.

VicRoads will oversee work on the roundabout project.