Thank you for your question. As you are aware, at my request, a Public
Reference Group was formed to review the connection for a cycle or shared path
between Ballarat's growing western suburbs into the Ballarat central business
district. All possible east-west routes were considered including Webster
Street, Mair Street, Sturt Street, Dana Street and Eyre Street. There was good
representation, with three independent community members and a representative
each from the Ballarat Heritage Advisory Group, Ballarat Cycling Group, Sturt
Street Traders, Victoria Police, Ballarat Health Services, Transport Accident
Commission, City of Ballarat and Regional Roads Victoria
(RRV).
The outcomes of the Public Reference Group workshops
determined that as other options were less direct and would impact on parking,
established street trees or heritage features, Sturt Street was the most
appropriate location for a shared pedestrian and cycling path that will provide
a community supported safe cycling route, linking the Ballarat central business
district to the increasing number of residents west of
Ballarat.
Not only will the Sturt Street shared path improve
safety for bike riders, both young and old but following RRV extensively
consulting with the Sturt Street Traders' Group in developing intersection
solutions that address the poor crash history, as well as the north-south
connectivity concerns raised by the Sturt Street Traders and others in the
community, Sturt Street will be made safer for all road users and the broader
community.
The combination of a shared pedestrian and
cycling path, new and modified traffic signals plus the double U-turn
treatments will provide safer, direct access into the central garden medians,
plus the additional garden median connections, will allow both locals and
tourists, pedestrians plus cyclists, to safely travel along Ballarat's iconic
Sturt Street boulevard from Grenville Street, all the way to Pleasant Street,
further promoting Ballarat's beautiful, scenic Sturt Street boulevard, full of
historical, cultural and the many significant iconic statues.
The heritage of Sturt Street and Ballarat's important
cenotaph, memorials, statues, trees and garden beds will not be
affected.
Hon Jaala Pulford MP
Minister for Roads
Minister for Road Safety and the TAC
Minister for Fishing and Boating