Ballarat Western Link Road

The preferred alignment for the proposed Ballarat Western Link Road has been identified.

The proposed route would ultimately connect the Western Freeway near the Ballarat Airport to the Midland Highway south of Sebastopol. It is anticipated the road will be developed using a combination of existing and new roads. The map shows the road running parallel to Dyson Drive before joining Bells Road.

Current and future land use, flora and fauna impacts, cultural heritage, residential amenity and community consultation were considered in determining the preferred alignment.

Feedback on this stage of the project has closed and a report on the preferred alignment will be presented to Council in the next few  months. Approval is required before work on the next stages of the project can begin.

If approved, the Ballarat Planning Scheme needs to be updated to include the Western Link Road. Council will identify the future road reservation by applying a Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO). Landowners will be given the opportunity to make submissions when the planning scheme amendment is proposed. Submissions would be heard by an independent panel and the final decision will then be reviewed by Council and the Minister for Planning.

• Public Acquisition Overlay - Fact Sheet

This process is expected to be complete by early 2011. Affected landowners and businesses have been consulted about the proposed road at two public information sessions. Two project bulletins have also been mailed to residents and last month Council invited submissions on the preferred alignment.

The Ballarat Transport Strategy conducted by Council and VicRoads in 2007 found a Western Link Road would be needed by 2031 to serve the rapidly growing Ballarat West area. Identifying and protecting the land needed for the future road corridor will help minimise potential impacts in the future. It will also ensure the project is well integrated as the city continues to develop. State and Federal Government funding will be required to help construct the road.