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Roads | March 01, 2021

Roads lobbying pays off for Balmoral community

Children in Balmoral will have a safer passage to school after tireless campaigning to upgrade a school crossing finally resulted in government action.

Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has been campaigning alongside Balmoral K-12 Community College for years to have electronic speed limit signs installed at the crossing on Harrow-Balmoral Road near the school.

She said roads funding announced by the federal government last week as part of a joint federal-state program was a testament to the community’s advocacy.

“I have been working closely with the Balmoral K-12 school community and lobbying the Andrews Labor Government for the installation of improved safety measures at this school crossing, so it comes as a huge relief for us all to finally see the safety improvements our young students deserve,” Ms Kealy said.

“Students, families and some members of the general public use this crossing every day. With school returning only a few weeks ago, more children are back to walking, riding and crossing this busy road.

“The school crossing’s proximity to the 80km signs on Harrow-Balmoral Road meant that many people were not slowing down or stopping when the school crossing flags were displayed.

“I congratulate the federal government for coming to the party with funding for this important safety upgrade when the Andrews Labor Government refused to take action, as well as the local school community for their unwavering efforts and campaigning.”

The crossing upgrade was among a number of Lowan projects to receive funding through the $2 billion Road Safety Program, through which the federal government provides 80 per cent of the investment for road projects in regional areas.

Other successful projects in Lowan include the shoulder sealing and audio tactile line marking of the Ararat-Halls Gap Road, plus upgrades to the Pomonal to Grampians Road, the Maroona-Glenthompson Road and the Willaura to Glenthompson Road.

Ms Kealy said she was pleased to see the federal government committing to Lowan roads.

“We now need a more significant injection of roads funding from the Andrews Labor Government, which is regularly tardy in funding essential road upgrades in our electorate,” she said.

“I’ll continue to fight for better roads throughout Lowan.”