Many years of lobbying to see the speed limit reduced from 100km to a uniform 80km on a section of the Midland Highway at Creswick now look as though they will soon pay off for locals concerned about safety.

“We have committed to reduce the speed limit on the Midland Highway outside Creswick by the end of May,” a Victorian Government spokesperson has confirmed.

Creswick locals had long lobbied to have the short 100km section of the main road out of town on the Ballarat side of Creswick brought in line with the connecting 80km limit, amid safety concerns.

Last April, responding to the concerns, the Hepburn Shire Council resolved to contact the Department of Transport seeking the proposed speed reduction on the short stretch of Midland Highway that passes the main entrance to Creswick’s RACV Forest Resort. 

With the 100km section also passing through a pre-existing wildlife corridor, the high rate of wildlife trauma in the area has also been highlighted as devastating for wildlife, increasing the danger for motorists and frequently upsetting visitors and locals.

Until now, however, the council had not heard back from the department in response to the request it submitted for the 80km section to be extended.

But after The Local recently ran a story examining where the issue was at, and amid further inquiries lodged by locals, news came through, via the office of local MP Martha Haylett, confirming that:

“DTP (Department of Public Transport) has reviewed the speed zone on the approach to township of Creswick.

“Based on the number of access points in this location, including the RACV Resort entrance and O’Keefes Dam recreation area, it has been assessed that extension of the existing 80km/h zone is considered appropriate.

“DTP will now seek approval for the implementation of the 80 km/h speed limit extension.”

Among the many Creswick residents pleased to hear of the development, local wildlife rescuer Marg Phillips says bringing the 100km section in line with the existing 80km zone will significantly improve safety for locals, visitors and wildlife.

“There has been research done in the Geelong area that found reducing the limit by just 20km reduced kanagaroo hits by over 50 percent,” she said.

“They found it made a huge difference. I hope they get these (new 80km) signs up before winter because that’s the worse period for roo hits along there. And then the road is wet and icy and even more dangerous.”

Hepburn Shire Council mayor Don Henderson has also welcomed the news and says he expects it will now take four to six weeks to see the 100km section brought in line with the adjoining 80km section.

“It’s so important to locals and people who live and work in the (RACV) resort. They run the gauntlet all the time, and for people who use that road, and particularly for people who are visitors and who don’t know the road,” Cr Henderson said.

Words & Image: Eve Lamb

Creswick locals are continuing to call for the speed limit on a section of the Creswick-Ballarat Road (Midland Highway) to be lowered from 100km to 80km amid outstanding safety concerns. 

Last April, responding to the concerns, the Hepburn Shire Council resolved to contact the Department of Transport seeking the proposed reduction on the short stretch of Midland Highway that passes the main entrance to Creswick’s RACV Forest Resort. 

Residents say the section of road is particularly ill-suited to a 100km speed limit with traffic frequently turning in and out of the RACV Forest Resort – where the internal grounds speed limit is 20km – directly onto the 100km stretch. 

Residents say the safety of motorists, visiting tourists and pedestrians is the main issue at stake with a permanent bus stop used by school children, visitors and locals an additional factor in the potentially lethal mix.

“It’s actually 20km inside the resort grounds and then right alongside here it’s 100km,” says permanent resident in the RACV estate grounds, Kerry Williams. 

“People plant it when they hit the 100km sign. They come hurtling down that hill and at 100km there’s no way they’re going to be able to stop if someone pulls out or walks out.” 

Hepburn Shire mayor and Creswickian Cr Don Henderson is among those who say the speed limit reduction is needed to help reduce the risk of serious accidents. 

“It’s extremely dangerous and it’s an issue that needs a resolution,” Cr Henderson says.

“It’s a real concern to the residents and to anyone using the Midland Highway and anyone using the resort.” 

Creswick wildlife rescuer Marg Phillips says the 100km stretch of road passes right through a pre-existing wildlife corridor and has a particularly high level of wildlife road accidents, in a mix that’s highly dangerous for both people and wildlife. 

“The sheer number of incidents here causes a lot of pain and suffering, and subsequent distress,” Marg says. “I’ve had to console a number of traumatised tourists, and the tourists will actually often come here to enjoy seeing the wildlife. 

“Many people who collide with our wildlife are often very distressed themselves. And studies show that reducing speed, even by 20km, significantly reduces these incidences. It’s interesting to see just how much car wreckage you find here beside the road.” 

Residents also said additional signage to help warn motorists to be prepared to slow down and take extra care for wildlife crossing in the area would also make a lot of sense. 

Judy Henderson says efforts to see the speed limit reduced date back to at least 2017 and the town’s former Creswick and District Residents Association. 

“I’d just like to know if Regional Roads or Transport Victoria have ever counted the number of wildlife that are getting killed here,” Judy says. 

At the moment, however, it remains unclear as to whether there has been much progress at all towards actioning the request at a Departmental level. 

“Council followed up the matter with the Department of Transport in late 2024 and is yet to receive an update,” Hepburn Shire Council’s Infrastructure and Delivery acting director Sean Ludeke said. 

“Considerations of amendments to speed limits can be complex and it is not uncommon for this assessment to take some time to work through,” he said. 

“However council will continue to advocate for these changes on behalf of the community.” 

In a prepared statement emailed to The Local, after multiple phone calls, Department of Transport and Planning Barwon South West and Grampians executive director Michael Bailey said: “We are continuing to engage with the Hepburn Shire Council around the speed limit on Midland Highway, to explore how we can make our network safer on this stretch of the road.

“We urge motorists to drive to conditions as we continue to monitor the speed limits on Creswick-Ballarat Road. Speed limits are subject to a rigorous review process and are considered on a case-by-case basis.” 

Words & Image: Eve Lamb  

The next stage of a shared path along the busy Glenelg Highway in Ballarat will soon begin with designs released for tender last week.  

A contractor is now being sought to provide safe off-road riding along the Glenelg Highway / Hertford Street from the Midland Highway (Albert Street) to Ballarat’s Phoenix College.

It will provide a safe way for students to access Phoenix College and kindergarten.  

The path will be a wide shared user path, to allow for pedestrians and cyclists to use it, as well as families with prams, and more.  

The path will consist of shared user paths in some sections and separated bike paths where the opportunity arises. Raised crossings across side streets will allow safer access to schools, shops and services for all pedestrians.

The construction of Stage 1, from Midland Highway (Albert Street) to Phoenix College is funded from the State Government’s Spotlight on Sebastopol Project.  

The aim of this project is to:  

• Facilitate active transport for commuters and students with safe, raised crossings for Phoenix College.
• Create a safe, comfortable riding and walking path for recreation with links to the Yarrowee River Trail.  
• Increase pedestrian and cyclist safety through a dedicated path and raised crossings at intersections.
• Preserve existing healthy trees through pruning and mulching.
• Increase provision of greening and natural shade through tree planting.

Existing healthy trees will be retained and new opportunities for additional tree planting identified.  

Rest points are proposed along the path with seating, bins and cycling infrastructure like hoops and bike repair stations.  

There was a community drop-in session at Phoenix College held late 2023 to view the proposed designs and discuss the project.  

Feedback from this session and the online survey was predominantly around the importance of trees for shade along the route, with strong overall support for this connecting path to be constructed.

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said this project is committed to increasing the safety of people involved in active transport in Ballarat.

“We want to continue to promote the benefits of cycling, walking and running across Ballarat, for our residents to be fit and healthy and to reap the environmental benefits,” he said.  

“We thank the community for their input into these deigns and look forward to seeing many people using these paths to get to and from school, exercising and generally getting from A to B.”

The City of Ballarat is committed to transitioning Ballarat towards a more sustainable future and encouraging active transport, specifically Goal two in the City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021 – 2025, a healthy, connected and inclusive community.

Planning is underway for key connections on;

• Trails and Connections – Sutton Street connecting Victoria Park and Morshead Park.
• Trails and Connections – Whitelaw Avenue from Sutton Street to Doug Dean Reserve.  
• Grenville Street North, from Mair Street to Curtis Street.  
• Yarra River Places and Connections from Nicholson Street to Nolan Street and Anderson Street West
• Macarthur Street, Ballarat Central  
• Forest Street, Wendouree  
• Woowookarung Trail via Callow Street and Pennyweight Gully  
• Yarrowee River to the Bunny Trail Connection via Queen Street North  

Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney: “Whether it’s students commuting to school or families going to local shops and services, nothing is more important than the safety of our community members.”

“This shared pathway will assist with just that and we’re proud to see this project come to life.”