Marjorie Thorpe filed the opposition to the works along the stretch of road between Ararat and Buangor, west of Ballarat, on October 27.

The order states the prevention of works would remain in effect until 2pm on Thursday.

Police arrested about 50 people yesterday, in an operation to remove protesters and camps along the highway.

The matter is listed for a directions hearing at 10.30am on Thursday.

IN THE NEWS

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was asked about the Western Highway duplication in Wednesday's daily COVID press conference.

He said everything had been done that was "appropriate under the agreements reached with those who speak for this country".

"There has been court action and there have been agreements," he said.

"No disrespect to anybody else who is deeply interested in these matters."

Mr Andrews said the road "had been moved" to take into account "very significant" cultural heritage issues.

"We continue to work closing with the traditional owner group for.. those who speak for that country," he said.

".. if memory serves me correctly, in recent years we've had 12 people lose their lives on that road.

"It is deadly it is dangerous. It has got to be improved and upgraded and that's exactly what I will get done.

"There is a balance to be struck here and I believe we have struck a balance. No disrespect to those who feel very deeply about these issues.

"But I'm pretty sure the families of people who have died on that road they feel pretty deeply about upgrading this road too, and so do I."

Mr Andrews said people were entitled to have different views about the issues.

"There is a structure, there is a formal recognition of that structure of traditional owner groups," he said.

"That is a process that is agreed and well and truly understood.

"It doesn't mean that others may not have a different view. But if we are going to move forward and going to find that balance point between respecting fundamentally cultural heritage but also getting things done then that structure will need to continue to serve all of us.

"That's the view of the government. It's the view of many other governments I think.

"I think we have engaged appropriately. These are sometimes very complex issues."

Mr Andrews pointed out that he didn't want anyone to "gloss over" the fact that the road had been moved and wasn't going through its original route.

"No disrespect to those who don't agree with the position," he said.

"But ultimately you have to call these things. When you've got an agreement, honour the agreement, get on and get the thing done.

"That's exactly what we are doing.

"But I do acknowledge these are particularly sensitive and emotional issues for many.

"I don't expect everyone to agree. But I can't sit here waiting while that road remains deadly.

"I cannot sit here waiting for 100 per cent agreement.

"If I did that we'd never get anything done, ever."

-Ararat Advertiser