Schools, supermarkets and a university all sprawled in between houses. The uni is growing by 1000 students, technology park is expanding and land in the area is continually rezoned for housing without reservation. The issue is the road works that are scheduled are not keeping pace with what is happening in the area.

Currently a third lane is being added around the Mt Clear roundabout but this will only move the problem 100 metres down the road. The road needed to be two lanes in both directions 10 years ago. This is still achievable but with every year, it becomes increasingly difficult and costly.

The worst thing is the council seems to have not learnt its lesson. Recently Tait Street was reconstructed between Hertford and Hill streets and was the chance to begin duplication of a street that will become very busy in years to come. Instead a convoluted single-lane mess was constructed with seemingly more kerbing constructed than road. Hundreds of houses have been built in the area in the last few years and the upcoming 66-lot Bonshaw Views Estate is the start of the Ballarat West Growth zone.

Currently a roundabout is up for tender in Tait Street, Sebastopol. This is the chance for the council to begin duplicating the road or at least leave scope for duplication down the track. Road duplication, or lack thereof, is a major problem in Ballarat and a lack of planning now could see Tait Street, Water Street or Cuthberts Road become the next road to the uni.

JOEL MENNER

Mt Pleasant