City of Ballarat

Road Hierarchy Review

Date: September 2006

Last Waltz Consulting

Prepared by
Gary W Smith, MIEAust. CPEng.
Last Waltz Consulting.
PO Box 1849
Bakery Hill 3354
Prepared for
City of Ballarat
September 2006
This review was undertaken with the assistance of
City of Ballarat staff
Disclaimer:
Last Waltz Consulting takes no responsibility to
any person or organisation other than for which the
review was prepared in respect of the information
set out in this report, including any errors or
omissions

Summary of Findings
1

Introduction

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

The Road Network

The Road Hierarchy
Road Legislation
The need for a Road Hierarchy

Application of the Road Hierarchy

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

Road Management Plan

Road Register
Road Asset Management Plan
Service Level Agreement

Alignment with Other Strategies

3.1
3.2
3.3

Development of a Road Transport Strategy

CBA Traffic Management and Parking Strategy
Ballarat West Local Structure Plan/Transport Infrastructure Plan

Summary of Road Classifications

Current Status of Road Hierarchy

Proposed Road Classifications and Categories

Proposed Amendments to the Hierarchy

7.1
7.2
7.3

Anomalies
Changes in the Road Network
Likely Changes in the Road Network

Conclusion

Appendices
1
2
3
4
5

Current Road Hierarchy

Proposed Changes to Current Hierarchy
Planning Scheme Map
Proposed Road Hierarchy
Typical Road Cross Sections

Summary of Findings
The Road Hierarchy is a division of the Road Network into identifiable road
classifications which reflect the functionality of the roads making up the network. The
Hierarchy attempts to reflect the preferred movement of vehicles throughout the network
and gives guidance to road managers, road users and land developers as to Councils
intended road network objectives.
A review of the Citys ten year old road hierarchy has been undertaken in parallel with
the development of a road transport strategy to ensure it reflects as closely as practicable
the existing and planned movement of people and goods throughout the municipality.
The following points provide a summary of the review findings:

The City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy, although a decade old, remains a

fundamentally sound management tool for those responsible for Citys road
network.

Councils Draft Road Transport Strategy recently completed provides a sound

reference document from which to review the Citys Road Hierarchy and the
Strategy and this review should be read and construed together.

The Review has noted a number of anomalies in the classification of some roads
which should be corrected. There is also a need to allocate classifications to a
number of roads as a result of road network expansion which has occurred since
the hierarchy document was first drafted.

In reflecting on the recommendations in the Road Transport Strategy 2006,

several hierarchy modifications have been mooted for a subsequent hierarchy
review. Others will evolve as new land use and transport strategies are developed
and should be appropriately noted for consideration in a subsequent review.

In light of the rationale of a road hierarchy reflecting the functionality of a road

network, it is recommended that the current road categories should be changed
from Sealed & Unsealed to Urban & Rural. It is also recommended that
the definitions applied to the various classifications be refined.

To assist Council in its decision making in regard to the management of its roads
in accordance with the Road Management Act, it is recommended that further
differentiation in the Access road classification be considered prior to the next
hierarchy review.

It is recommended that a review of the Road Hierarchy be undertaken together

with a review of Councils Road Management Plan every three years. Where
circumstances dictate that a change in the classification of any road(s) be made
sooner then those changes should be made with the annual Road Register update.
4

Introduction

1.1

The Road Network

The City of Ballarat has a network of roads which is designed to allow the safe and
convenient movement of people and goods across and throughout the municipality.
Established areas to the west of the Yarrowee River are generally laid out in a grid
pattern as set out by the original Government Surveyor. East Ballarat was typically laid
out around mining activities and took on a less formal layout. Newer areas of the City
have been created by private subdivision and take on various forms from the traditional
grid to free form curvilinear layouts.
Management of the road network must provide for effective access to property, the free
flow of vehicles and pedestrians, the management of traffic movements, the protection of
roadside amenity and the support of sustainable land development.
1.2

The Road Hierarchy

The Road Hierarchy is simply a division of the Road Network into identifiable road
Classifications or types which reflect the functionality of the roads making up the
network.
Each classification has a number of criteria to differentiate it from other classifications.
The criteria are based on the purpose and function of the roads making up the particular
classification.
The Road Hierarchy attempts to reflect the preferred movement of vehicles throughout
the network and gives guidance to road managers, road users and land developers as to
Councils intended road network objectives.
1.3

Road Legislation

Recently proclaimed legislation in Victoria has consolidated many of the previous

statutes and regulations in regard to the management of roads throughout the State.
The Road Management Act, 2004 sets out the responsibilities and obligations of road
authorities generally. Road authorities include VicRoads (state authority), Councils and a
number of Statutory Authorities. The Local Government Act 1989 includes additional
responsibilities for municipal councils who are responsible for the management of local
roads within their respective municipalities.
Local roads are roads other than state arterial roads, roads on crown reserves and private
roads. All these roads make up the road network and are taken into consideration when
defining a road hierarchy. VicRoads is the road authority responsible for the Arterial
Road Network.

1.4

The Need for a Hierarchy Review

The current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy was drafted almost a decade ago. Over that
time the City has undergone considerable growth and land use has evolved as a
consequence. The road network has grown with private development and road use
patterns have reflected that development.
The functionality of the road network needs to be tested from time to time to ensure it is
meeting the needs of the community. A review of the Road Hierarchy will enable any
anomalies and short comings of the network to be identified and realigned to transport
and land use strategies.
This review coincides with the development of a Ballarat Road Transport Strategy and
the two documents should be read and construed together.

Application of the Road Hierarchy

2.1

Road Management Plan

Under the Road Management Act 2004, Council is obliged to communicate with its
community to document how it intends to manage the Citys road network.
The City of Ballarat Road Management Plan outlines Councils responsibilities in regard
to the management, maintenance and repair of roads under its control. The Plan is a
public document designed to provide a concise and informative overview of road assets,
the levels of service the community can expect and the corresponding medium to long
term financial requirements.
The Road Hierarchy is fundamental to the implementation of the Road Management
Plan. The design of a roads physical attributes such as width, pavement strength,
surfacing and other design elements are determined by its road classification.
The frequency of road inspections and the levels and timing of programmed maintenance
are influenced directly by the Road Hierarchy. The Road Management Act is risk based
legislation which requires road authorities to provide documentary evidence of their
maintenance regimes and capital improvement programs. Councils approach to risk
associated with road management involves identification of critical assets and an
assessment of the likelihood and consequence of the failure of those assets. The road
classification provides a risk framework from which to make such assessments.
The Hierarchy will also influence the development of capital works projects for Council
consideration. Road works programs will be prioritised on a range of criteria, one of
which is functionality which is reflected in road classifications.

2.2

Road Register

Council maintains a Road Register which includes every road for which Council takes
responsibility for under the Road Management Act. The Road Register includes road
names, location, surface type and hierarchy classification. The Register also provides
links to other road data including physical attributes, levels of maintenance, road
condition and funding information.
The City currently has approximately 100 km of Arterial Roads within the Road Network
which are managed by the State Road Authority. There are also many boundary roads
which are subject to maintenance agreements with the respective neighbouring councils.
These road assets, although not managed by Council, are identified in The Road Register
and form an intrinsic part of the Road Hierarchy.
The Road Register is reviewed at least annually and is available for public inspection.
2.3

Road Asset Management Plan

Underlying the Road Management Plan and Road Register is a comprehensive Road
Asset Management Plan which is a tactical tool for the management of all road related
matters. Industry standards have been developed for asset management over recent years
and road classifications have been similarly standardised. The hierarchy adopted by
Council, although generally conforming to an industry standard, provides a unique
picture of Ballarats Road Network and guides the development and ongoing
management of the network over time.
2.4

Service Level Agreement

The Councils road maintenance service unit Ballarat Works operates under a service
level agreement which sets out council and community expectations in line with the Road
Asset Management Plan. Service levels for routine road maintenance are prescribed as
are risk identification, response priorities, remedial treatments and emergency response.
Road hierarchy is used as the basis for determining the agreed standards and risk factors
together with traffic type, volume and usage patterns.

Alignment with other Strategies

3.1

Development of a Road Transport Strategy

The Road Transport Strategy soon to be released for public comment will be used by
Council and VicRoads to plan for future road capacity requirements. The City together
with VicRoads has commissioned the Strategy with the main requirements being:

To identify and quantify existing road system deficiencies.

To assess future needs associated with population and employment growth to the year
2030.
To recognise trends for regional freight movements.
To recognise the greater use of walk, cycle and public transport (bus) for travel within
Ballarat.

The Strategy addresses the expected growth in the Ballarat population and predicts traffic
growth and road network needs for that period. The strategy assesses a number of new
and upgraded road options to determine which best meet future road needs. This
assessment has led to a list of priority road projects being nominated for council
consideration.
In acknowledging the Citys Road Hierarchy the Strategy identifies the hierarchys two
primary applications:

Prioritising the improvement of the capacity of arterial (VicRoads) and link/collector

(Council) roads, they being the roads intended for use by higher volume traffic.
Implementing Local Area Traffic Management in local/residential streets, so as to
protect them from intrusion by non-local traffic.

Section 3 of the Road Transport Strategy investigates the basis of future road needs. It
nominates four elements which need to be combined to plan for future upgrading and
extension of the Road Network:

To address and resolve existing network problems.

To integrate with other transport related strategies.
To provide for identified and quantified growth.
To provide flexibility to accommodate future changes.

Section 3 looks at other strategies which need to be integrated and which will impact on
the Road Hierarchy Review. These include transport strategies, future land use strategies
and specific strategic projects.
.
It is critical that the Road Hierarchy is cognisant of future developments and is reviewed
regularly to ensure that it represents Councils strategic road network objectives. Figure
1.1 of the Road Transport Strategy summarises the relationships between various
strategic documents including the Road Hierarchy Review.
3.2

CBA Traffic Management and Parking Strategy

The development of the CBA Traffic Management and Parking strategy will provide
Ballarat with a framework for the management of traffic and parking within the Central
Business Area (CBA) to implement the vision outlined in Blueprint Ballarat and the
Urban Design Framework.

The objectives of the Strategy are to:

3.3

Identify the existing and future transport requirements of the CBA including
circulation, capacity and connectivity;
Develop a comprehensive traffic management and circulation plan that satisfies needs
for CBA access and accommodates appropriate levels of through traffic; and
Develop a parking policy and strategy that responds to any existing parking
deficiencies and satisfies the future parking needs of CBA development.
Ballarat West Local Structure Plan/Transport Infrastructure Plan

A Transport Infrastructure Plan is currently being prepared to guide the future road needs
for this key growth area of Ballarat (including Alfredton, Sebastopol and Delacombe).
The Ballarat West Outline Development Plan predicts a population in these precincts of
17,000 by 2031 including retail, educational and community facilities together with an
expansion of existing industrial areas.
When complete the Transport Infrastructure Plan will guide future road hierarchy needs
and implications for the existing road network. These findings will be addressed in future
road hierarchy reviews.

Current Road Classifications

The Road Hierarchy is a division of the Road Network into identifiable road
classifications which reflect the functionality of the roads making up the network.
Each classification has a number of criteria to differentiate it from other classifications.
The criteria are based on the purpose and function of the roads making up the particular
classification. It should be noted that the accompanying maps in Appendix 1 use the term
local road whereas Table 4.1 refers to this classification as Access roads. The table
shown below was modified for inclusion in Councils Road Management Plan following
the proclamation of the Road Management Act. Under the Act all municipal roads are
defined as local roads and as a consequence the term Access replaced the use of the term
local in most municipal hierarchies.
The current hierarchy is further divided into two categories. These categories reflect the
type of road surface i.e. sealed or unsealed. Whilst these categories differentiate between
the two types of maintenance regimes required they dont necessarily recognise the
function of the road. This point is discussed further in Section 6 of the review.

Table 4.1 is an extract from Councils Road Management Plan and outlines the Current
Road Hierarchy.

Road Classification

Link Roads

Access Roads

Laneways

Unsealed Laneways
Unmade Natural
Surface
Unconstructed
Off Street Parking

Gravel roads, mostly in rural areas with relatively high

traffic volumes linking sealed collector roads.
Local Gravel Roads including unsealed shoulders
adjoining pavement in urban areas.
Unsealed roads carrying only very local traffic, mostly
providing secondary rear access in urban areas.
Unshaped road lacking imported pavement material, but
graded occasionally.(Only used by a few vehicles per
day).
Unconstructed road reserves, often fenced off and
licensed to adjoining landowners. (Just a track typically
less than one vehicle per day.)
Carparking areas controlled by council servicing shopping
centres or community interests.

Gravel Roads

Unmade Road
Reserves
Unsealed Collector
Road
Unsealed Access
Roads

Sealed Roads

Collector Roads

Definition
Those roads which supplement the Arterial Roads in
providing for through traffic movement, to an individually
determined limit that is sensitive to both roadway
characteristics and abutting land uses.
(Council Managed and Council funded)
These are roads which collect traffic from local streets and
distribute it to higher order roads.
(Council managed, and Council funded)
These streets are not links or collectors. The main function
of local roads is to provide access to abutting properties.
(Council managed, and Council funded)
Sealed roads carrying only local traffic, typically providing
secondary access to properties with more than one street
frontage.
Road reserves which remain unopened to traffic.

Current Status of Road Hierarchy

Maps showing the current road hierarchy are included in Appendix 1 to this report.
The road network classifications have generally served the City well over time with very
few anomalies being evident. Growth over more recent years, particularly on the city
fringes has required a rethink of the function of some routes and the need to include
newly constructed private roads as a result of residential and industrial subdivisions of
land in particular.

10

The development of new commercial and cultural precincts, schools and recreation
facilities can all have an influence on the way the community moves around the
municipality. The Road Transport Strategy has assessed the impact of recent
developments and made recommendations accordingly.
Predictions for traffic volumes up until 2030 as documented in the Road Transport
Strategy indicate that a number of roads will reach capacity in that timeframe. This will
have the effect of pushing traffic onto other roads in the network unless capacity is
improved.
The Road Transport Strategy has identified and assessed a number of road improvement
projects and initiatives to address deficiencies in the network. Section 6 of the Strategy
details a recommended strategy for Ballarat together with an implementation plan. It
nominates high, medium and lower priority strategic actions which are listed in Table 6.1
of the Strategy.
The hierarchy review has given due regard to the recommendations contained in the Road
Transport Strategy and tested the current network for compliance.

Proposed Road Classifications and Categories

The current hierarchy classifications reflect industry standards and are not proposed to be
fundamentally changed. There is however scope to further develop the Access
classification in a subsequent review of the Hierarchy. The majority of the road network
falls into this classification although there can be significant differences in their physical
form, usage patterns and roles within the network. A future division of this classification
may assist road managers to better differentiate road funding bids, road inspection
regimes and maintenance schedules.
It is considered that two sub-categories would be adequate to avoid any unnecessary
complexities and would apply to both urban and rural categories. Access 1 and
Access 2 would typically differentiate between those roads which provide a part
collector role and those essentially used for private property access only. Typically a
level 2 would provide access to no more than 20 properties and have less than 100
vehicle movements per day.
Court bowls or no through roads would be examples where an Access 2 category could
be applied. There are many examples of developments in rural living zones in particular
where such roads are quite different in function and form from the typical rural Access
Road. In urban areas there is often a need or wish to protect local precincts by the use of
local area traffic management schemes. Roads afforded such protection from through
traffic could be categorised as Access 2.
Because of the special nature of Laneways in the municipality it is suggested that this
classification remain unaltered. Similarly the Unmade Natural Surface classification in

11

rural zones would remain unaffected. Conversely Officers may see some advantage in
creating an Access 3 category for these two road types. Access 3 could apply to those
roads providing secondary access only and having no through road function.
With the infrastructure funding gap being high on Councils agenda, it is important that
Council has the ability to justify decisions and subsequent actions. As noted previously,
the Road Management Act requires road authorities to be able to justify their expenditure
and service levels on roads under their control and a more refined hierarchy could only
assist in that regard.
As it has been contended in this review that the classifications in a hierarchy are function
or purpose based it is recommended that Urban and Rural categories be used to better
differentiate between road types. The surface condition (sealed or unsealed) of a road is
still an important element of the road network and remains an important physical element
of any road within a hierarchy classification.
The function of a typical rural road can differ from the typical urban road in a number of
ways. Although it may perform the same basic function eg. Collector or Access, its
physical formation will vary due to traffic volume and speed, drainage conditions and
property access requirements. Funding programs generally differentiate between urban
and rural as do maintenance regimes. Dividing the Hierarchy into these categories would
better align the various road management functions of the Council.
Speed zones generally reflecting abutting development and street lighting are used as the
criteria for differentiating between urban and rural parts of the network. The Victorian
Road Rules provide definitions for urban Built Up areas and would be relied upon to
categorise urban and rural roads in this instance.
The definitions applicable to the road classifications have also been reviewed and are
included in Table 6.1. Arterial roads, managed by VicRoads, have been included for
consistency with the accompanying maps in Appendix 4. Although Arterial roads are
the responsibility of others they form an intrinsic part of the overall road network and set
the parameters for the Council managed network.

12

Table 6.1(a) Urban Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Road Classification

Arterial Road

Link Road

Access Road

Laneways

Off Street Parking

Category

Arterial Roads are managed and funded by the State

and / or Federal Governments and provide the main
interconnecting freight and commuter road network.
These are categorised as freeways (M), primary
highways (A), secondary highways (B), and main roads
(C). The responsibility for service roads accompanying
Arterial Roads is delegated to Councils.
Those roads which supplement the Arterial Road
network by providing for through traffic movement to
acceptable capacity limits that is sensitive to both
roadway characteristics and abutting land uses. These
roads typically link precincts or localities and would
generally have a 60 km/h speed limit.
(Council Managed and Council funded)
These are roads which collect traffic from local streets
and distribute it to higher order roads (Arterial & Link).
The number of properties fronting or the number of
vehicles using the route will generally determine this
classification. A 50 km/h speed limit will normally apply.
(Council managed, and Council funded)
The main function of local access roads is to provide
access to abutting properties. An upper speed limit of 50
km/h would generally apply.
(Council managed, and Council funded)
Access ways carrying local traffic only, typically
providing secondary access to properties with more than
one street frontage.
Car parking areas controlled by Council or private
interests servicing shopping centres or community
facilities (Public Car Parks). Public off street parking
areas are typically urban but may be built in a rural
environment.

13

Urban Roads

Collector Road

Definition

Table 6.1(b) Rural Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Road Classification

Arterial Road

Link Road

Access Road

Laneways

Unmade Natural Surface

Category

Arterial Roads are managed and funded by the State

and / or Federal Governments and provide the main
interconnecting freight and commuter road network.
These are categorised as freeways (M), primary
highways (A), secondary highways (B), and main roads
(C).
Those roads supplement the Arterial Road network by
providing for through traffic movement. These are
typically sealed roads linking localities/communities.
Rural link roads also provide for local heavy vehicle
movements.
(Council Managed and Council funded)
These are roads which collect traffic from local access
roads and distribute it to higher order roads. These are
typically sealed roads but may be unsealed where traffic
counts are low.
(Council managed, and Council funded)

Rural Roads

Collector Road

Definition

The main function of local access roads is to provide

access to abutting properties. These roads may be
sealed or unsealed and would typically carry less than
500 vehicles per day. (Council managed, and Council
funded)
Unsealed roads carrying only very local traffic, mostly
providing secondary property access or access to
otherwise landlocked parcels of land. (Council or
privately managed and funded)
Unshaped road lacking imported pavement material, but
graded occasionally (only used by a few vehicles per
day). May be used for private or fire access. (Council or
privately managed and funded)

For each urban and rural classification, Council officers have developed typical design
parameters. Examples of previously adopted urban road cross sections are included in
Appendix 5. Not all roads in any one classification or category currently meet the
preferred design standard however typical design parameters are used as a target for
planning improvements for the road network. The Road Hierarchy in fact is making a

14

policy statement as to the preferred function and form of the road network to serve
Ballarat into the foreseeable future rather than stating what the current position is.
There are a number of miscellaneous classifications which are used to define nonregistered roads. These are included in Table 6.1(c) and may apply to both urban and
rural environments.
Table 6.1(c) Miscellaneous Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Unconstructed

Unused Road Reserves

Definition

Category

Unconstructed road reserves, often fenced off and

licensed to adjoining landowners. (Just a track
typically less than one vehicle per day.) These Roads
are not included on Councils Road Register and are not
maintained by Council.

Non-Registered Roads

Road Classification

Road reserves which remain unopened to traffic.

Typically these reserves are wholly contained within
privately occupied land or within parcels of public land
and exist on plans only. These paper roads are not
included on Councils Road Register.

Proposed Amendments to Hierarchy

7.1

Anomalies

A number of anomalies have been noted by Councils Road Management Staff and
highlighted for correction during the review. These are generally inappropriate
classifications existing from the inception of the current hierarchy a decade ago or those
having evolved in a manner different to that originally predicted. These roads have been
identified and reclassified in Appendix 2, Figure 2.1.
A number of anomalies have also emerged where roads crossing or running along
municipal boundaries have been assigned different classifications by the respective
councils. Roads fitting this category are;
Hepburn Shire Bald Hills Rd. (Link) running into Gillies Rd. (Collector)
Pyrenees Shire Ercildoun Rd. (Collector changing to Access in City of Ballarat)
Pyrenees Shire Waubra Talbot Rd. (Collector compared to Access in City of Ballarat)

15

Pyrenees Shire Dobsons Ln. (Collector compared to Access in City of Ballarat)

Pyrenees Shire Cuthberts Rd. (Collector changing to Access in City of Ballarat)
Golden Plains Shire Bells Rd. west (Link compared to Access in City of Ballarat)
Golden Plains Shire Kopkes Rd. (Collector compared to Access in City of Ballarat)
Golden Plains Shire Haddon Windermere Rd (as for Kopkes Rd)
Moorabool Shire Warrenheip Rd. (Collector compared to Link in City of Ballarat)
Moorabool Shire Navigators Rd. (Collector compared to Link in City of Ballarat)
Moorabool Shire Yendon No. 2 Rd. (Link compared to Access in City of Ballarat)
Where considered appropriate these anomalies have also been addressed in Figure 2.1.
As part of the review process it is recommended that this report be placed on public
exhibition for an adequate period of time to allow the community and key stakeholders
the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.
The Draft Review of the Road Hierarchy will be forwarded to neighbouring councils for
comment during the public exhibition period.
Vicroads, as the State Road Authority, has also been consulted as part of this review.
The Authority does not have any plans to vary the Arterial Road Network in Ballarat at
this time, other than the recently adopted Gillies Street diversion to Latrobe Street via
Winter and Learmonth Streets, but is believed to be considering a state wide review
sometime in the future. This matter will no doubt be the subject of further discussion
during a subsequent review of the Citys Road Hierarchy.
A number of other transport strategies are referenced in Section 3.2 of the Road
Transport Strategy and give an indication of factors which may impact on Ballarats
Road Network in future. These include but are not limited to; the CBA Traffic
Management and Car Parking Strategy currently being prepared, relocation of the
Intermodal Road Hub away from the Ballarat Railway Station, the Ballarat and Region
Bus Review and a Regional Road Transport Strategy (Central Highlands) soon to be
commissioned.
7.2

Changes in the Road Network

A number of changes in the road network (newly created roads) over the life of the
current hierarchy have not yet been incorporated into the original road hierarchy maps.
The proposed hierarchy maps have been amended to show all new roads on the current
Road Register. Those additions with proposed hierarchy classifications of Collector or
Link have been identified in Appendix 2, Table 2.2.
These additional roads are typically private subdivision roads declared as public roads on
certification of the subdivision by the Titles Office. Although the majority of these roads
are local Access only, Collector or Link status is considered appropriate for a number of
roads in large subdivisions or where a number of subdivisions have consolidated to form
a larger precinct.

16

7.3

Likely Changes in the Road Network

Longer term planning of the municipality as defined by the Planning Scheme and
supporting studies such as growth strategies, outline development plans, local structure
plans etc. are articulated through the Municipal Strategic Statement. The Road Hierarchy
must keep pace with land use planning to provide the necessary infrastructure support
required for community mobility.
The Citys Planning Scheme and accompanying Municipal Strategic Statement give
guidance as to the likely development of the Road Hierarchy. The Planning Scheme
organises land use across the municipality in the form of town planning zones. The
current planning zone map is included as Appendix 3 and shows the existing and
proposed development themes and their relationships for the orderly planning of growth.
It is important that the growth of the city and its supporting infrastructure is reflected in
the planning scheme and planning policy documents. Similarly it is important that the
Road Hierarchy establishes a road network which mirrors the planning objectives of the
Council.
The Road Transport Strategy has identified a number of potential and likely growth areas
and the road infrastructure required to support them. Section 3.3 of the Strategy lists land
use strategies and Section 3.4 identifies a number of specific projects likely to influence
the future utilisation of the road network. Figure 2.3 in Appendix 2 lists a number of
changes for inclusion in subsequent reviews once more certainty of growth areas is
available.
Future land use strategies likely to influence Ballarats Road Hierarchy include;
Ballarat West Outline Development Plan
Cardigan Village Local Structure Plan
Lake Federation Development Plan
Ballarat Industrial Strategy
Ballarat Retail Development Strategy
Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan
Rural Areas Review
Buninyong Township Infrastructure Development Strategy
A number of other strategies identified in the Road Transport Strategy will influence land
use and traffic patterns over time but are unlikely to impact markedly on the proposed
Road Hierarchy Plan. These typically involve infill development where suitable road
infrastructure currently exists or can be upgraded.
Table 5.1 in the Road Transport Strategy lists a number of potential projects to address
the identified needs of the road network. These include:

17

1. McKenzie Drive increase in weight limit

2. Western Bypass between Sunraysia & Midland Highways (new & existing roads)
3. Gregory Street west of Gillies to proposed Western Bypass
4. Yankee Flat Road upgrade
5. Recreation Road extension to Yankee Flat Road
6. Gear Avenue upgrade
7. Main Road upgrade including intersection with Whitehorse Road
8. Fussell Street inner loop
9. Avenue of Honour upgrade
10. Ballarat CBA upgrades
11. Ballarat West residential growth Roads Review
12. Learmonth Road upgrade
13. Hertford Road eastern end upgrade
14. Creswick Road upgrade
Although not all of the above listed projects were given a high priority in the Strategy
they will no doubt require consideration in future reviews and need to be flagged at this
time. Where the recommended projects will have direct implications on the Hierarchy
and modifications have been recommended as a result the Strategy has been noted in
Table 2.1

Conclusion

The current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy is a decade old and, although providing a
reasonably accurate representation of todays traffic movements, a number of
adjustments are considered necessary.
The current road hierarchy definitions and categories have been reviewed in light of the
recently proclaimed Road Management Act. The road classifications are still considered
appropriate however there is scope to apply a degree of differentiation to the Access
classification in future to better inform the decision making process. The hierarchy
categories currently in use, i.e. sealed and unsealed, are not believed to identify the
function of the respective roads but more a standard of construction. As hierarchy is
expressed in terms of functionality it is recommended that the road network be divided
into urban and rural categories.
The review of the current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy has revealed a number of
anomalies requiring correction and some inclusions to the road network to reflect the true
position as it exists in 2006. The Proposed Hierarchy as shown in Appendix 4 is
representative of the views of the Council as espoused in strategic land use and transport
related documents.
To ensure there is compatability with the road hierarchies of neighbouring councils
discussions should be arranged between council officers to consider adjustments to the

18

respective road hierarchies in relation to boundary roads and roads crossing boundaries.
Those classifications not addressed by the recommendations in this review include;
Moorabool Shire
Yendon No.2 Road (reverting to Access or Collector)
Warrenheip Road (upgrading to Link)
Navigators Road (upgrading to Link)
Pyrenees Shire
Waubra Talbot Road (options for alignment)
Dobsons Lane (options for alignment)
Golden Plains Shire
Kopkes & Haddon Windermere Rds (upgrading to Link)
A review of the Road Hierarchy will be required on a regular basis to ensure it provides
an up to date reference for road managers, land use planners and landholders alike and is
consistent with other strategies adopted by the Council from time to time. It is
recommended that the Road Hierarchy be reviewed every three (3) years together with
Councils Road Management Plan with the flexibility to review parts thereof more often
should the need arise.

19

Appendices

20

Appendix 2

Proposed Changes to Current Hierarchy

Figure 2.1

Amendments to Hierarchy

Road
Segment

Between Intersections

Classification
Comment

From:

To:

From:

To:

Dyson Drive

Ave. of Honour

Access

Link

Learmonth
Street
Robertson Drive

Sturt Street

Carngham
Road
Winter Street

Collector

Link

Elaine Avenue

Access

Collector

Winter Street

Gillies Street

Access

Arterial

Learmonth
Street
Gillies Street

Winter Street

Cuthberts
Road
Learmonth
Street
Latrobe Street

Access

Arterial

Winter Street

Latrobe Street

Arterial

Access

Winter Street

Gillies Street

Access

Link

Brazenor Street

Winter Street

Brazenor
Street
Latrobe Street

Access

Link

Russell Street

Eyre Street

Adair Street

Collector

Link

Adair Street

Russell Street

Latrobe Street

Collector

Link

Forest Street

Giot Drive

Link

Collector

Webster Street

Wendouree
Parade
Creswick Road

Access

Collector

Gregory Street

Lydiard Street

Wendouree
Parade
Doveton Street

Collector

Access

Brougham
Street
Chisholm Street

Lydiard Street

Doveton Street

Collector

Access

Lydiard Street

Howitt Street

Collector

Link

Stawell Street

Humffray Street

Scott Parade

Collector

Link

Scott Parade

Stawell Street

Water Street

Collector

Link

Fussell Street

Eureka Street

York Street

Collector

Link

Fussell Street

York Street

Spencer Street

Access

Link

23

To support private
subdivisions
Traffic diverted from
Gillies Street
To reflect usage
patterns
Traffic diversion
around saleyards
Traffic diversion
around saleyards
Traffic diverted
Traffic diversion
around saleyards
Traffic diversion
around saleyards
Linking two arterial
Roads more directly
Linking two arterial
Roads more directly
Local traffic running
parallel to freeway
To reflect usage
patterns
Serves as access road
only
Serves as access road
only
To reflect usage
patterns
Northern suburbs link
to Western Hwy
Northern suburbs link
to Western Hwy
Transport Strategy
inner loop to east
Transport Strategy
inner loop to east

Figure 2.1 cond.


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26

Appendix 3

Planning Scheme Map

Figure 3.1

Appendix 4

Proposed Road Hierarchy

Figure 4.1
(Insert new map)

Appendix 5

Typical Urban Road Cross Sections

Figure 5.1
(modified x-sections)

27

Appendix 5

Typical Road Cross Sections

Figure 5.1

30

Figure 5.2

31