Development on the Ballarat West Link Road is set to continue, with the City of Ballarat identifying a section of land for the project’s second stage.
Council has received authorisation to prepare an amendment to the Ballarat Planning Scheme from Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, allowing it to set aside land for the second stage.
The second stage of construction includes 12 kilometres of road from south of The Terrace in Alfredton to the Midland Highway.
The planning scheme amendment process for this section is underway.
Affected land owners and occupiers and the general community will have a chance to provide feedback during a formal exhibition period of the planning scheme amendment at a date to be determined.
Final planning and design of stage 1B is also underway.
This 2.5 kilometre southern section of stage one will be located between Remembrance Drive, Alfredton and a new access point in to the Ballarat West Employment Zone near the intersection of Ring Road and Trewin Street.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2016 and be complete in 2018.
Mayor Des Hudson said the road is a key piece of infrastructure for the rapidly expanding Alfredton area, as well as the BWEZ.
“We know that our Ballarat West growth corridor is going to receive significant growth in the next 10 years,” Cr Hudson said.
“These are all critical pieces of long term infrastructure.
“It’s (stage one) complementary to the Ballarat West Employment Zone and will be crucial for the accessibility for heavy vehicles in and out of that precinct.
“It’s really timely for our job creation out there.”
In its entirety, the 16-kilometre road will provide a direct link from the Western Highway to the Midland Highway.
The project will be delivered in stages subject to demand and funding.
The state government has provided $38 million to plan the entire project and to construct stage one.
