Minister for Roads and Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford joined members of Northern Grampians Shire Council last Friday to inspect the upgrades nearing completion to the Halls Gap Village Centre and School Road.
The works are a part of Stage One of the Halls Gap Action Plan, which has been developed in consultation with the community to ensure that Halls Gap continues to be an attractive tourist destination.
The upgrades to School Road will increase the safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike, by way of three new pedestrian crossings, paving, bike paths, a retaining wall and improved drainage.
While the visit was centered around viewing the works that have taken place, it was also a great opportunity for council to highlight the additional aspects of the action plan that still require financial support.
The Heath Street Bridge project was a feature of those discussions, as the construction of this bridge would ease traffic congestion within the village centre as well as supporting the redevelopment of underutilised commercial land along Heath Street.
Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Kevin Erwin said, "Minister Pulford was happy with the upgrades that are taking place, and improving safety in the area is definitely the aim."
"We also highlighted the importance of what the Heath Street Bridge project would mean in terms of bringing the whole plan together, as that addition would ultimately separate the traffic from pedestrians."
"We also thanked Minister Pulford for the additional bus services out to Halls Gap."
In a media release, Minister for Roads and Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford said, "We're giving Halls Gap the vibrant Village Centre it deserves and ensuring visitors and residents can stay safe while crossing the road."
"Halls Gap is an internationally renowned tourist destination with thousands of visitors coming to the area every year and these upgrades will ensure even more tourists come to visit."
