The City of Ballarat has partnered with the Ballarat Turf Club and VicRoads to improve the safety of vehicular traffic in and around the Dowling Forest racecourse precinct.

Following a series of near misses between horses, horse floats and vehicles, VicRoads has granted the City of Ballarat consent to erect, display and alter a number of Traffic Control Devices in Kennedys Road between Midas Road and Gillies Road.

City of Ballarat Growth and Development Portfolio Councillor Noel Perry said the changes were one of the key recommendations identified in the Dowling Forest Precinct Master Plan.

“The safety of all users in this precinct is paramount. As a Council it is important that we do what we can to ensure the precinct is as safe as possible for everyone.

“The speed changes have now been implemented. We encourage motorists to take caution as motorists become familiar with the changed traffic conditions.”

 The changes in Kennedys Road, Miners Rest include:

• Extension of the 60km/h zone by 300 metres to the east
• Creation of a new 80km/h zone  (previously 100km/h zone), a further 1400 metres east towards Gillies Road