Creating connections across Ballarat, the missing link

The City of Ballarat is investing in our paths and trails, to keep the community safe and provide opportunities for non-vehicle-based transport across the city. 

This missing link is part of a broader plan to deliver the Ballarat Safer Cycling Connections project. This is funded by the TAC, as part of the Safer Cycling and Pedestrian Fund, and is being delivered by the City of Ballarat as part of City of Ballarat’s Cycling Action Plan 2017–2025. This delivery will provide opportunities to ride entirely off road or on quieter routes from Alfredton right through to Buninyong.  

Future stages of this plan will provide additional connections in Lucas and Miners Rest. As a regional city, Ballarat continues to invest in the network to provide the community with a high level of active transport connectivity.  

This project delivers on the City of Ballarat’s commitment to Active transport, which is a priority identified within the City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021–2025, namely Goal 1: An environmentally sustainable future.  

• By increasing tree canopy cover, improving tree management and replacement planting to ensure ongoing and perpetual tree canopy health. 

• Providing a capital works program focused on seamlessly connecting paths and trails across the municipality to remove barriers to active transport. 

• Delivering priority active transport infrastructure from the Ballarat Cycling Action Plan and Integrated Transport Strategy. 

The preparation for the next stage of the trail network through Ballarat’s CBD will begin in coming weeks with the construction of the path along Grenville Street South scheduled for early next year.  

The work in Grenville Street South will include construction of a shared path on the east side of Grenville Street from Dana Street to Little Bridge Street.  

Essential work will be carried out to improve accessibility through the removal of 19 Poplar trees and one Plane Tree which are uplifting the footpath. The mature London Plane trees nearby will be retained as they are not impacting the path, which will assist in providing shade and canopy coverage.  

In conjunction with these works the City of Ballarat is planting a mix of trees to improve biodiversity and our city’s ecosystem. Species include Drooping She-oaks, Iron barks, Autumn Blaze Maples and more than 250 native groundcover plants. The tree planting will also provide shade and amenity for the active transport link.   

The Transport Accident Commission has allocated $9.3 million to fund the Ballarat Safer Cycling Connections Project as part of its $100 million program to make roads safer for all road users, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson said the trails provide safe and separate walking, jogging, and cycling connections for the whole community. 

“We are delivering on the Council Plan, by connecting paths and trails across the city,” he said.  

“This next stage of shared paths in Ballarat will create new opportunities for safe active transport for the Ballarat community.”  

For more information read more about the Ballarat Safer Cycling Connections.