The community is being invited to share their ideas and help shape options for the upgrade to the intersection where Brewery Tap Road and Old Melbourne Road connect to the Western Freeway in Warrenheip.

The Albanese Government has committed $100 million towards planning and early works for the Western Freeway and Brewery Tap Road Intersection Upgrade which aims to improve safety and traffic flow at this notoriously dangerous intersection.

From 16 February to 8 March Big Build Roads is seeking feedback from the community to help inform planning for the upgrade.

This feedback will be used to better understand problems and challenges at the current intersection and the community’s views on safety and traffic flow.

Stakeholders such as City of Ballarat and adjacent businesses will also be asked to contribute to the planning process.

Planning work is already underway by Big Build Roads with key activities including developing a project design, detailed traffic analysis and modelling, as well as on-site investigations to gain a clear picture of the area.

Traffic control measures including temporary lane closures and reduced speed limits may be in place at times throughout the planning period.

This will allow on site crews to safely undertake environmental and technical investigations to inform planning and early works for the upgrade.

Traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum, and busy periods will be avoided where possible. We thank drivers for their patience during this time.

Planning work will be used to inform the design, cost, and timeline of the upgrade.

Residents and local businesses can talk to the project team at Warrenheip Memorial Hall, 535 Ti Tree Road, Warrenheip, on Saturday 21 February 2026 between 10am and 3pm.

They can also have their say at engage.vic.gov.au/western-fwy-brewery-tap-rd by Sunday 8 March 2026.

More information about the Western Freeway and Brewery Tap Road Intersection Upgrade is available at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/western-fwy-brewery-tap-rd.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“Brewery Tap Road has been a dangerous intersection for a very long time, but it has taken a Federal Labor Government to address that and get started on fixing it.

“We’ve committed $100 million to this upgrade, and the first critical step is engaging with the community and stakeholders about what should be considered in the planning to ensure we deliver the best outcome for the community.

“We had a decade of inaction and lack of investment in Ballarat under the former Coalition Government. By comparison, the Albanese Government is getting on with the job of making our roads more efficient for freight and business, and safer for our community.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Eureka Michaela Settle:

“Locals in Warrenheip and across Ballarat know just how dangerous this intersection can be, which is why it’s so important they have their say as we take this next step toward delivering a safer, better connection to the Western Freeway.

“We thank the community for their patience while planning and investigations get underway, because this is an important step in delivering this upgrade that will make everyday trips safer for local families and businesses.”