City of Ballarat

Road Hierarchy Review

Date: September 2006

Last Waltz Consulting

2Prepared by

Gary W Smith, MIEAust. CPEng.

Last Waltz Consulting.PO Box 1849

Bakery Hill 3354

Prepared for

City of Ballarat

September 2006

Disclaimer:

Last Waltz Consulting takes no responsibility toany person or organisation other than for which thereview was prepared in respect of the informationset out in this report, including any errors oromissions

This review was undertaken with the assistance ofCity of Ballarat staff

3Summary of Findings

1 Introduction

1.1 The Road Network1.2 The Road Hierarchy1.3 Road Legislation1.4 The need for a Road Hierarchy

2 Application of the Road Hierarchy

2.1 Road Management Plan2.2 Road Register2.3 Road Asset Management Plan2.4 Service Level Agreement

3 Alignment with Other Strategies

3.1 Development of a Road Transport Strategy3.2 CBA Traffic Management and Parking Strategy3.3 Ballarat West Local Structure Plan/Transport Infrastructure Plan

4 Summary of Road Classifications

5 Current Status of Road Hierarchy

6 Proposed Road Classifications and Categories

7 Proposed Amendments to the Hierarchy

7.1 Anomalies7.2 Changes in the Road Network7.3 Likely Changes in the Road Network

8 Conclusion

Appendices

1 Current Road Hierarchy2 Proposed Changes to Current Hierarchy3 Planning Scheme Map4 Proposed Road Hierarchy5 Typical Road Cross Sections

4Summary of Findings

The Road Hierarchy is a division of the Road Network into identifiable roadclassifications which reflect the functionality of the roads making up the network. TheHierarchy attempts to reflect the preferred movement of vehicles throughout the networkand gives guidance to road managers, road users and land developers as to Councilsintended road network objectives.

A review of the Citys ten year old road hierarchy has been undertaken in parallel withthe development of a road transport strategy to ensure it reflects as closely as practicablethe 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 afundamentally sound management tool for those responsible for Citys roadnetwork.

Councils Draft Road Transport Strategy recently completed provides a soundreference document from which to review the Citys Road Hierarchy and theStrategy and this review should be read and construed together.

The Review has noted a number of anomalies in the classification of some roadswhich should be corrected. There is also a need to allocate classifications to anumber of roads as a result of road network expansion which has occurred sincethe 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 hierarchyreview. Others will evolve as new land use and transport strategies are developedand should be appropriately noted for consideration in a subsequent review.

In light of the rationale of a road hierarchy reflecting the functionality of a roadnetwork, it is recommended that the current road categories should be changedfrom Sealed & Unsealed to Urban & Rural. It is also recommended thatthe definitions applied to the various classifications be refined.

To assist Council in its decision making in regard to the management of its roadsin accordance with the Road Management Act, it is recommended that furtherdifferentiation in the Access road classification be considered prior to the nexthierarchy review.

It is recommended that a review of the Road Hierarchy be undertaken togetherwith a review of Councils Road Management Plan every three years. Wherecircumstances dictate that a change in the classification of any road(s) be madesooner then those changes should be made with the annual Road Register update.

51 Introduction

1.1 The Road Network

The City of Ballarat has a network of roads which is designed to allow the safe andconvenient 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 gridpattern as set out by the original Government Surveyor. East Ballarat was typically laidout around mining activities and took on a less formal layout. Newer areas of the Cityhave been created by private subdivision and take on various forms from the traditionalgrid to free form curvilinear layouts.

Management of the road network must provide for effective access to property, the freeflow of vehicles and pedestrians, the management of traffic movements, the protection ofroadside 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 roadClassifications or types which reflect the functionality of the roads making up thenetwork.

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 particularclassification.

The Road Hierarchy attempts to reflect the preferred movement of vehicles throughoutthe network and gives guidance to road managers, road users and land developers as toCouncils intended road network objectives.

1.3 Road Legislation

Recently proclaimed legislation in Victoria has consolidated many of the previousstatutes and regulations in regard to the management of roads throughout the State.

The Road Management Act, 2004 sets out the responsibilities and obligations of roadauthorities generally. Road authorities include VicRoads (state authority), Councils and anumber of Statutory Authorities. The Local Government Act 1989 includes additionalresponsibilities for municipal councils who are responsible for the management of localroads within their respective municipalities.

Local roads are roads other than state arterial roads, roads on crown reserves and privateroads. All these roads make up the road network and are taken into consideration whendefining a road hierarchy. VicRoads is the road authority responsible for the ArterialRoad Network.

61.4 The Need for a Hierarchy Review

The current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy was drafted almost a decade ago. Over thattime the City has undergone considerable growth and land use has evolved as aconsequence. The road network has grown with private development and road usepatterns have reflected that development.

The functionality of the road network needs to be tested from time to time to ensure it ismeeting the needs of the community. A review of the Road Hierarchy will enable anyanomalies and short comings of the network to be identified and realigned to transportand land use strategies.

This review coincides with the development of a Ballarat Road Transport Strategy andthe two documents should be read and construed together.

2 Application of the Road Hierarchy

2.1 Road Management Plan

Under the Road Management Act 2004, Council is obliged to communicate with itscommunity to document how it intends to manage the Citys road network.

The City of Ballarat Road Management Plan outlines Councils responsibilities in regardto the management, maintenance and repair of roads under its control. The Plan is apublic 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 longterm financial requirements.

The Road Hierarchy is fundamental to the implementation of the Road ManagementPlan. 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 maintenanceare influenced directly by the Road Hierarchy. The Road Management Act is risk basedlegislation which requires road authorities to provide documentary evidence of theirmaintenance regimes and capital improvement programs. Councils approach to riskassociated with road management involves identification of critical assets and anassessment of the likelihood and consequence of the failure of those assets. The roadclassification provides a risk framework from which to make such assessments.

The Hierarchy will also influence the development of capital works projects for Councilconsideration. Road works programs will be prioritised on a range of criteria, one ofwhich is functionality which is reflected in road classifications.

72.2 Road Register

Council maintains a Road Register which includes every road for which Council takesresponsibility for under the Road Management Act. The Road Register includes roadnames, location, surface type and hierarchy classification. The Register also provideslinks to other road data including physical attributes, levels of maintenance, roadcondition and funding information.

The City currently has approximately 100 km of Arterial Roads within the Road Networkwhich are managed by the State Road Authority. There are also many boundary roadswhich are subject to maintenance agreements with the respective neighbouring councils.These road assets, although not managed by Council, are identified in The Road Registerand 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 RoadAsset Management Plan which is a tactical tool for the management of all road relatedmatters. Industry standards have been developed for asset management over recent yearsand road classifications have been similarly standardised. The hierarchy adopted byCouncil, although generally conforming to an industry standard, provides a uniquepicture of Ballarats Road Network and guides the development and ongoingmanagement of the network over time.

2.4 Service Level Agreement

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

3 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 byCouncil and VicRoads to plan for future road capacity requirements. The City togetherwith VicRoads has commissioned the Strategy with the main requirements being:

To identify and quantify existing road system deficiencies.

8 To assess future needs associated with population and employment growth to the year2030.

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 trafficgrowth and road network needs for that period. The strategy assesses a number of newand upgraded road options to determine which best meet future road needs. Thisassessment has led to a list of priority road projects being nominated for councilconsideration.

In acknowledging the Citys Road Hierarchy the Strategy identifies the hierarchys twoprimary 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 toprotect them from intrusion by non-local traffic.

Section 3 of the Road Transport Strategy investigates the basis of future road needs. Itnominates four elements which need to be combined to plan for future upgrading andextension 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 onthe Road Hierarchy Review. These include transport strategies, future land use strategiesand specific strategic projects..It is critical that the Road Hierarchy is cognisant of future developments and is reviewedregularly to ensure that it represents Councils strategic road network objectives. Figure1.1 of the Road Transport Strategy summarises the relationships between variousstrategic 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 provideBallarat with a framework for the management of traffic and parking within the CentralBusiness Area (CBA) to implement the vision outlined in Blueprint Ballarat and theUrban Design Framework.

9The objectives of the Strategy are to:

Identify the existing and future transport requirements of the CBA includingcirculation, capacity and connectivity;

Develop a comprehensive traffic management and circulation plan that satisfies needsfor CBA access and accommodates appropriate levels of through traffic; and

Develop a parking policy and strategy that responds to any existing parkingdeficiencies and satisfies the future parking needs of CBA development.

3.3 Ballarat West Local Structure Plan/Transport Infrastructure Plan

A Transport Infrastructure Plan is currently being prepared to guide the future road needsfor this key growth area of Ballarat (including Alfredton, Sebastopol and Delacombe).The Ballarat West Outline Development Plan predicts a population in these precincts of17,000 by 2031 including retail, educational and community facilities together with anexpansion of existing industrial areas.

When complete the Transport Infrastructure Plan will guide future road hierarchy needsand implications for the existing road network. These findings will be addressed in futureroad hierarchy reviews.

3 Current Road Classifications

The Road Hierarchy is a division of the Road Network into identifiable roadclassifications 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 particularclassification. It should be noted that the accompanying maps in Appendix 1 use the termlocal road whereas Table 4.1 refers to this classification as Access roads. The tableshown below was modified for inclusion in Councils Road Management Plan followingthe proclamation of the Road Management Act. Under the Act all municipal roads aredefined as local roads and as a consequence the term Access replaced the use of the termlocal in most municipal hierarchies.

The current hierarchy is further divided into two categories. These categories reflect thetype of road surface i.e. sealed or unsealed. Whilst these categories differentiate betweenthe two types of maintenance regimes required they dont necessarily recognise thefunction of the road. This point is discussed further in Section 6 of the review.

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

Road Classification Definition

Link Roads

Those roads which supplement the Arterial Roads inproviding for through traffic movement, to an individuallydetermined limit that is sensitive to both roadwaycharacteristics and abutting land uses.(Council Managed and Council funded)

Collector RoadsThese are roads which collect traffic from local streets anddistribute it to higher order roads.(Council managed, and Council funded)

Access Roads These streets are not links or collectors. The main functionof local roads is to provide access to abutting properties.(Council managed, and Council funded)

LanewaysSealed roads carrying only local traffic, typically providingsecondary access to properties with more than one streetfrontage.

Sealed

Roads

Unmade RoadReserves

Road reserves which remain unopened to traffic.

Unsealed CollectorRoad

Gravel roads, mostly in rural areas with relatively hightraffic volumes linking sealed collector roads.

Unsealed AccessRoads

Local Gravel Roads including unsealed shouldersadjoining pavement in urban areas.

Unsealed Laneways Unsealed roads carrying only very local traffic, mostlyproviding secondary rear access in urban areas.

Unmade NaturalSurface

Unshaped road lacking imported pavement material, butgraded occasionally.(Only used by a few vehicles perday).

UnconstructedUnconstructed road reserves, often fenced off andlicensed to adjoining landowners. (Just a track typicallyless than one vehicle per day.)

GravelR

oads

Off Street Parking Carparking areas controlled by council servicing shoppingcentres or community interests.

5 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 veryfew anomalies being evident. Growth over more recent years, particularly on the cityfringes has required a rethink of the function of some routes and the need to includenewly constructed private roads as a result of residential and industrial subdivisions ofland in particular.

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The development of new commercial and cultural precincts, schools and recreationfacilities can all have an influence on the way the community moves around themunicipality. The Road Transport Strategy has assessed the impact of recentdevelopments and made recommendations accordingly.

Predictions for traffic volumes up until 2030 as documented in the Road TransportStrategy indicate that a number of roads will reach capacity in that timeframe. This willhave the effect of pushing traffic onto other roads in the network unless capacity isimproved.

The Road Transport Strategy has identified and assessed a number of road improvementprojects and initiatives to address deficiencies in the network. Section 6 of the Strategydetails a recommended strategy for Ballarat together with an implementation plan. Itnominates high, medium and lower priority strategic actions which are listed in Table 6.1of the Strategy.

The hierarchy review has given due regard to the recommendations contained in the RoadTransport Strategy and tested the current network for compliance.

6 Proposed Road Classifications and Categories

The current hierarchy classifications reflect industry standards and are not proposed to befundamentally changed. There is however scope to further develop the Accessclassification in a subsequent review of the Hierarchy. The majority of the road networkfalls into this classification although there can be significant differences in their physicalform, usage patterns and roles within the network. A future division of this classificationmay assist road managers to better differentiate road funding bids, road inspectionregimes and maintenance schedules.

It is considered that two sub-categories would be adequate to avoid any unnecessarycomplexities and would apply to both urban and rural categories. Access 1 andAccess 2 would typically differentiate between those roads which provide a partcollector role and those essentially used for private property access only. Typically alevel 2 would provide access to no more than 20 properties and have less than 100vehicle movements per day.

Court bowls or no through roads would be examples where an Access 2 category couldbe applied. There are many examples of developments in rural living zones in particularwhere such roads are quite different in function and form from the typical rural AccessRoad. In urban areas there is often a need or wish to protect local precincts by the use oflocal area traffic management schemes. Roads afforded such protection from throughtraffic could be categorised as Access 2.

Because of the special nature of Laneways in the municipality it is suggested that thisclassification remain unaltered. Similarly the Unmade Natural Surface classification in

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rural zones would remain unaffected. Conversely Officers may see some advantage increating an Access 3 category for these two road types. Access 3 could apply to thoseroads providing secondary access only and having no through road function.

With the infrastructure funding gap being high on Councils agenda, it is important thatCouncil 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 expenditureand service levels on roads under their control and a more refined hierarchy could onlyassist in that regard.

As it has been contended in this review that the classifications in a hierarchy are functionor purpose based it is recommended that Urban and Rural categories be used to betterdifferentiate between road types. The surface condition (sealed or unsealed) of a road isstill an important element of the road network and remains an important physical elementof any road within a hierarchy classification.

The function of a typical rural road can differ from the typical urban road in a number ofways. Although it may perform the same basic function eg. Collector or Access, itsphysical formation will vary due to traffic volume and speed, drainage conditions andproperty access requirements. Funding programs generally differentiate between urbanand rural as do maintenance regimes. Dividing the Hierarchy into these categories wouldbetter align the various road management functions of the Council.

Speed zones generally reflecting abutting development and street lighting are used as thecriteria for differentiating between urban and rural parts of the network. The VictorianRoad Rules provide definitions for urban Built Up areas and would be relied upon tocategorise urban and rural roads in this instance.

The definitions applicable to the road classifications have also been reviewed and areincluded in Table 6.1. Arterial roads, managed by VicRoads, have been included forconsistency with the accompanying maps in Appendix 4. Although Arterial roads arethe responsibility of others they form an intrinsic part of the overall road network and setthe parameters for the Council managed network.

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Table 6.1(a) Urban Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Road Classification Definition Category

Arterial Road

Arterial Roads are managed and funded by the Stateand / or Federal Governments and provide the maininterconnecting freight and commuter road network.These are categorised as freeways (M), primaryhighways (A), secondary highways (B), and main roads(C). The responsibility for service roads accompanyingArterial Roads is delegated to Councils.

Link Road

Those roads which supplement the Arterial Roadnetwork by providing for through traffic movement toacceptable capacity limits that is sensitive to bothroadway characteristics and abutting land uses. Theseroads typically link precincts or localities and wouldgenerally have a 60 km/h speed limit.(Council Managed and Council funded)

Collector Road

These are roads which collect traffic from local streetsand distribute it to higher order roads (Arterial & Link).The number of properties fronting or the number ofvehicles using the route will generally determine thisclassification. A 50 km/h speed limit will normally apply.(Council managed, and Council funded)

Access Road The main function of local access roads is to provideaccess to abutting properties. An upper speed limit of 50km/h would generally apply.(Council managed, and Council funded)

Laneways Access ways carrying local traffic only, typicallyproviding secondary access to properties with more thanone street frontage.

Off Street Parking

Car parking areas controlled by Council or privateinterests servicing shopping centres or communityfacilities (Public Car Parks). Public off street parkingareas are typically urban but may be built in a ruralenvironment.

Urban

Roads

14

Table 6.1(b) Rural Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Road Classification Definition Category

Arterial Road

Arterial Roads are managed and funded by the Stateand / or Federal Governments and provide the maininterconnecting freight and commuter road network.These are categorised as freeways (M), primaryhighways (A), secondary highways (B), and main roads(C).

Link Road

Those roads supplement the Arterial Road network byproviding for through traffic movement. These aretypically sealed roads linking localities/communities.Rural link roads also provide for local heavy vehiclemovements.(Council Managed and Council funded)

Collector Road

These are roads which collect traffic from local accessroads and distribute it to higher order roads. These aretypically sealed roads but may be unsealed where trafficcounts are low.(Council managed, and Council funded)

Access RoadThe main function of local access roads is to provideaccess to abutting properties. These roads may besealed or unsealed and would typically carry less than500 vehicles per day. (Council managed, and Councilfunded)

LanewaysUnsealed roads carrying only very local traffic, mostlyproviding secondary property access or access tootherwise landlocked parcels of land. (Council orprivately managed and funded)

Unmade Natural SurfaceUnshaped road lacking imported pavement material, butgraded occasionally (only used by a few vehicles perday). May be used for private or fire access. (Council orprivately managed and funded)

RuralR

oads

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

15

policy statement as to the preferred function and form of the road network to serveBallarat into the foreseeable future rather than stating what the current position is.

There are a number of miscellaneous classifications which are used to define non-registered roads. These are included in Table 6.1(c) and may apply to both urban andrural environments.

Table 6.1(c) Miscellaneous Definitions; Proposed Hierarchy

Road Classification Definition Category

Unconstructed

Unconstructed road reserves, often fenced off andlicensed to adjoining landowners. (Just a track typically less than one vehicle per day.) These Roadsare not included on Councils Road Register and are notmaintained by Council.

Unused Road Reserves

Road reserves which remain unopened to traffic.Typically these reserves are wholly contained withinprivately occupied land or within parcels of public landand exist on plans only. These paper roads are notincluded on Councils Road Register.

Non-R

egisteredRoads

7 Proposed Amendments to Hierarchy

7.1 Anomalies

A number of anomalies have been noted by Councils Road Management Staff andhighlighted for correction during the review. These are generally inappropriateclassifications existing from the inception of the current hierarchy a decade ago or thosehaving evolved in a manner different to that originally predicted. These roads have beenidentified and reclassified in Appendix 2, Figure 2.1.

A number of anomalies have also emerged where roads crossing or running alongmunicipal boundaries have been assigned different classifications by the respectivecouncils. 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)

16

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 publicexhibition for an adequate period of time to allow the community and key stakeholdersthe opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.

The Draft Review of the Road Hierarchy will be forwarded to neighbouring councils forcomment 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 atthis time, other than the recently adopted Gillies Street diversion to Latrobe Street viaWinter and Learmonth Streets, but is believed to be considering a state wide reviewsometime in the future. This matter will no doubt be the subject of further discussionduring a subsequent review of the Citys Road Hierarchy.

A number of other transport strategies are referenced in Section 3.2 of the RoadTransport Strategy and give an indication of factors which may impact on BallaratsRoad Network in future. These include but are not limited to; the CBA TrafficManagement and Car Parking Strategy currently being prepared, relocation of theIntermodal Road Hub away from the Ballarat Railway Station, the Ballarat and RegionBus Review and a Regional Road Transport Strategy (Central Highlands) soon to becommissioned.

7.2 Changes in the Road Network

A number of changes in the road network (newly created roads) over the life of thecurrent 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 currentRoad Register. Those additions with proposed hierarchy classifications of Collector orLink have been identified in Appendix 2, Table 2.2.

These additional roads are typically private subdivision roads declared as public roads oncertification of the subdivision by the Titles Office. Although the majority of these roadsare local Access only, Collector or Link status is considered appropriate for a number ofroads in large subdivisions or where a number of subdivisions have consolidated to forma larger precinct.

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7.3 Likely Changes in the Road Network

Longer term planning of the municipality as defined by the Planning Scheme andsupporting studies such as growth strategies, outline development plans, local structureplans etc. are articulated through the Municipal Strategic Statement. The Road Hierarchymust keep pace with land use planning to provide the necessary infrastructure supportrequired for community mobility.

The Citys Planning Scheme and accompanying Municipal Strategic Statement giveguidance as to the likely development of the Road Hierarchy. The Planning Schemeorganises land use across the municipality in the form of town planning zones. Thecurrent planning zone map is included as Appendix 3 and shows the existing andproposed 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 inthe planning scheme and planning policy documents. Similarly it is important that theRoad Hierarchy establishes a road network which mirrors the planning objectives of theCouncil.

The Road Transport Strategy has identified a number of potential and likely growth areasand the road infrastructure required to support them. Section 3.3 of the Strategy lists landuse strategies and Section 3.4 identifies a number of specific projects likely to influencethe future utilisation of the road network. Figure 2.3 in Appendix 2 lists a number ofchanges for inclusion in subsequent reviews once more certainty of growth areas isavailable.

Future land use strategies likely to influence Ballarats Road Hierarchy include;

Ballarat West Outline Development PlanCardigan Village Local Structure PlanLake Federation Development PlanBallarat Industrial StrategyBallarat Retail Development StrategyBallarat Aerodrome Master PlanRural Areas ReviewBuninyong Township Infrastructure Development Strategy

A number of other strategies identified in the Road Transport Strategy will influence landuse and traffic patterns over time but are unlikely to impact markedly on the proposedRoad Hierarchy Plan. These typically involve infill development where suitable roadinfrastructure currently exists or can be upgraded.

Table 5.1 in the Road Transport Strategy lists a number of potential projects to addressthe identified needs of the road network. These include:

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1. McKenzie Drive increase in weight limit2. Western Bypass between Sunraysia & Midland Highways (new & existing roads)3. Gregory Street west of Gillies to proposed Western Bypass4. Yankee Flat Road upgrade5. Recreation Road extension to Yankee Flat Road6. Gear Avenue upgrade7. Main Road upgrade including intersection with Whitehorse Road8. Fussell Street inner loop9. Avenue of Honour upgrade10. Ballarat CBA upgrades11. Ballarat West residential growth Roads Review12. Learmonth Road upgrade13. Hertford Road eastern end upgrade14. Creswick Road upgrade

Although not all of the above listed projects were given a high priority in the Strategythey will no doubt require consideration in future reviews and need to be flagged at thistime. Where the recommended projects will have direct implications on the Hierarchyand modifications have been recommended as a result the Strategy has been noted inTable 2.1

8 Conclusion

The current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy is a decade old and, although providing areasonably accurate representation of todays traffic movements, a number ofadjustments are considered necessary.

The current road hierarchy definitions and categories have been reviewed in light of therecently proclaimed Road Management Act. The road classifications are still consideredappropriate however there is scope to apply a degree of differentiation to the Accessclassification in future to better inform the decision making process. The hierarchycategories currently in use, i.e. sealed and unsealed, are not believed to identify thefunction of the respective roads but more a standard of construction. As hierarchy isexpressed in terms of functionality it is recommended that the road network be dividedinto urban and rural categories.

The review of the current City of Ballarat Road Hierarchy has revealed a number ofanomalies requiring correction and some inclusions to the road network to reflect the trueposition as it exists in 2006. The Proposed Hierarchy as shown in Appendix 4 isrepresentative of the views of the Council as espoused in strategic land use and transportrelated documents.

To ensure there is compatability with the road hierarchies of neighbouring councilsdiscussions should be arranged between council officers to consider adjustments to the

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respective road hierarchies in relation to boundary roads and roads crossing boundaries.Those classifications not addressed by the recommendations in this review include;

Moorabool ShireYendon No.2 Road (reverting to Access or Collector)Warrenheip Road (upgrading to Link)Navigators Road (upgrading to Link)Pyrenees ShireWaubra Talbot Road (options for alignment)Dobsons Lane (options for alignment)Golden Plains ShireKopkes & Haddon Windermere Rds (upgrading to Link)

A review of the Road Hierarchy will be required on a regular basis to ensure it providesan up to date reference for road managers, land use planners and landholders alike and isconsistent with other strategies adopted by the Council from time to time. It isrecommended that the Road Hierarchy be reviewed every three (3) years together withCouncils Road Management Plan with the flexibility to review parts thereof more oftenshould the need arise.

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Appendices

23

Appendix 2 Proposed Changes to Current Hierarchy

Figure 2.1 Amendments to Hierarchy

Between Intersections Classification Road

SegmentFrom: To: From: To:

Comment

Dyson Drive Ave. of Honour Carngham Road

Access Link To support private subdivisions

Learmonth Street

Sturt Street Winter Street Collector Link Traffic diverted from Gillies Street

Robertson Drive Elaine Avenue Cuthberts Road

Access Collector To reflect usage patterns

Winter Street Gillies Street Learmonth Street

Access Arterial Traffic diversion around saleyards

Learmonth Street

Winter Street Latrobe Street Access Arterial Traffic diversion around saleyards

Gillies Street Winter Street Latrobe Street Arterial Access Traffic diverted

Winter Street Gillies Street Brazenor Street

Access Link Traffic diversion around saleyards

Brazenor Street Winter Street Latrobe Street Access Link Traffic diversion around saleyards

Russell Street Eyre Street Adair Street Collector Link Linking two arterial Roads more directly

Adair Street Russell Street Latrobe Street Collector Link Linking two arterial Roads more directly

Forest Street Wendouree Parade

Giot Drive Link Collector Local traffic running parallel to freeway

Webster Street Creswick Road Wendouree Parade

Access Collector To reflect usage patterns

Gregory Street Lydiard Street Doveton Street Collector Access Serves as access road only

Brougham Street

Lydiard Street Doveton Street Collector Access Serves as access road only

Chisholm Street Lydiard Street Howitt Street Collector Link To reflect usage patterns

Stawell Street Humffray Street Scott Parade Collector Link Northern suburbs link to Western Hwy

Scott Parade Stawell Street Water Street Collector Link Northern suburbs link to Western Hwy

Fussell Street Eureka Street York Street Collector Link Transport Strategy inner loop to east

Fussell Street York Street Spencer Street Access Link Transport Strategy inner loop to east

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Figure 2.2 Changes in Road Network

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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)

30

Appendix 5 Typical Road Cross Sections

Figure 5.1

31

Figure 5.2