What is it?
The duplication of the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell to create a four-lane divided highway, completing the progressive upgrade of the corridor between Ballarat and Stawell.
Why is it needed?
The Western Highway is a nationally significant freight and passenger route connecting Melbourne and Adelaide and forms part of the National Land Transport Network.
The highway carries significant volumes of freight traffic supporting agriculture, mining, manufacturing and regional industries across western Victoria. The highway also provides the primary road access to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, one of Victoria’s most visited regional tourism destinations.
Safety concerns remain on unduplicated sections of the corridor. Project documentation identified 68 casualty crashes recorded between 2016 and 2026 along sections of the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell.
The ask
Funding to complete the duplication of the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell.
Specifications
- Location: Stawell and Great Western, VIC
- State seat: Lowan & Ripon
- Federal seat: Mallee & Wannon
- Advocacy type: Partner
- Council plan goal: Business buzz: Agriculture, economy and tourism
- What has been done so far:
- Strategic planning for duplication of the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell commenced in 2008.
- Environmental, traffic and transport impact assessments undertaken as part of planning for the Ararat to Stawell section.
- Options assessments and corridor investigations completed for sections of the remaining upgrade.
- Wimmera Southern Mallee Council Alliance
- Western Highway Action Committee
- Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-29
- Asset Plan 2025-35
- Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Transport Strategy 2014
- Victorian Freight Plan 2025-30
- National Land Transport Network priorities
- Infrastructure Australia regional connectivity priorities