We appreciate that residents moving into new estates prior to all development works being completed will be subject to inconvenience and are continuing to work with the development industry and state government authorities to try and reduce these impacts
Road Upgrades
Many roads used by residents in these new estates such as
Burvilles Road, Boundary Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, Reserve Road, Barwarre Road
and Batten Road are original rural farm roads which need to be
upgraded or closed as part of delivering the full Armstrong Creek Growth Area plan.
Current and future changes to these roads include:
- Burvilles Road – the
future Burvilles Road is located within private property to the Geelong side of
the existing road. Construction of the new Burvilles Road is being
undertaken in stages as developers purchase the necessary land from
private landholders. A temporary renewal of the existing road is
being funded by the Department of Transport and Planning to enable buses
to use this road until the new road is built. Once complete, old
Burvilles Road will be converted to a greenway and cycle path similar to
outside the Geelong Lutheran College.
- Horseshoe Bend Road – this road is recognised as one of the major north-south spines serving the growth area. There are multiple development parcels of land abutting Horseshoe Bend
Road and various developers constructing these blocks. The road is
being upgraded in sections as the additional land required becomes
available and necessary drainage works to support the road are
completed. Current works involve signalising the intersection with Boundary Road, with a full road rebuild and new pedestrian paths, and the construction of a second entrance into Sanctuary Estate.
- Boundary Road – the
future Boundary Road, between Torquay Road and Ashbury Boulevard is located with private property to the south of the
existing road. Construction is being undertaken in stages and the
necessary land becomes available and native vegetation restrictions are
overcome. Similar to Burvilles Road, the old Boundary Road will be
converted to a greenway once the new road is completed. The intersection of Boundary Road and Barwon Heads Road will be upgraded with traffic signals as part of the Barwon Heads Road Stage 2 duplication.
- Barwarre Road – the
Armstrong Creek growth area plan identifies Barwarre Road as a greenway
for the majority of its length to protect significant native roadside
vegetation. The road between Burvilles Road and Boundary Road has been strategically used as a detour route
to support residents whilst development occurs but has now been closed in favour of the new Mindil Street which has cut the road in two. Barwarre Road has also been closed
at Reserve Road to support public safety and pedestrian
infrastructure delivered as part of the rail duplication project.
- Batten Road – safety
issues were identified with the use of Batten Road in its current state
pre-covid following a crash between a school bus and car. The road
was closed to through traffic pending upgrades delivered by developers and
has recently been used in a temporary one-way capacity to retain
access to private property during major road and drainage works upgrading Boundary Road. The
road will remain closed until a full upgrade is completed.
- Reserve Road – upgrade
works were completed on Reserve Road in 2021 to support the
road handling additional traffic caused by the growth area
development. This road will eventually become redundant with the
construction of Bellarine Link and is being managed in recognition of its
expected limited life.
Managing Roadwork Timing
The timing of works in the Armstrong Creek area is carefully coordinated
considering, but not limited to:
- State Government Authorities major projects such as the Barwon Heads Road Stage 2 duplication, Surf Coast Highway / Reserve Road signalisation and Geelong - Waurn Ponds rail duplication
- Service authority works to install infrastructure
needed by the growth area such as water, gas, electricity and
telecommunications infrastructure
- Ongoing access to properties for emergency services
- Community demands for high standard infrastructure in a
development area.
- Government grant funding timelines, and
- Where possible, retaining a minimum of two roads with
unimpeded traffic flow into and out of estates at all times
We provide conditions on permits for contractors working on our roads that include providing communications to local residents about works and where necessary maintaining property access.
The construction of a temporary gravel access road between Mindil Street and
Main Street to provide additional access to Ashbury Estate whilst other road
closures are in place forms part of the agreement reached with
developers to enable works on Horseshoe Bend Road and Burvilles Road to proceed. Horseshoe Bend Road between Burvilles Road and Warralily Boulevard has remained open
whilst this temporary link was constructed to ensure two roads are available
for access.
With the Main Street and Mindil Street link now available for
use, the developers have commenced the necessary works on Horseshoe Bend Road between Burvilles Road and Warralily Boulevard which will provide the second access for Sanctuary
Estate