Southern Grampians Council signs off on $1 million state-funded road crossings overhaul

Eight Hamilton intersections will be upgraded with raised pedestrian crossings under a million-dollar, state-funded project aimed at improving safety for school children and local residents.

What happened: Southern Grampians Shire Council last week awarded a $1.024 million construction contract to Aviyanta Projects Pty Ltd to deliver the works across eight sites in Hamilton, including near several schools with heavy foot traffic during peak hours.

Sections of roads and intersections will see crossings lifted to footpath height to improve pedestrian visibility, adding splitter islands and upgrading signage.

Government money: Infrastructure and sustainability director Marg Scanlon told councillors the project flowed from a joint safety audit by the council, the Transport Accident Commission and the Department of Transport and Planning.

• “Council endorsed the Safer Local Roads and Streets program in April 2025, which identified a number of treatments that needed to be undertaken,” Scanlon said. 

• “Specifically, it’s across eight sites within Hamilton, six of which will receive a raised pedestrian treatment, and two intersections will also include splitter islands to support pedestrian access.”

All about safety: Councillor Katrina Rainsford said the upgrades were overdue and would help improve safety at key school crossings.

“It’s all about safety. It’s a long time coming,” Rainsford said. “It does offset the change in support that there’s been from the state government, and those school crossings are important.”

Schools expected to benefit include: 

• Hamilton and Alexandra College; 

• Gray Street Primary School; 

• George Street Primary School;

• Good Shepherd College Junior, along with crossings on: 

• King Street;

• George Street;

• Tyers Street; 

• and the King Street-Bree Road intersection.

Now what? Scanlon said works would be delivered one site at a time, with contractors aiming to complete construction during school holiday periods wherever possible.

• “The intention for these works is to work at one site, complete the project works in their entirety, and then move on so that we’re minimising disruption,” she said. 

• “Working around school holidays, particularly at school crossings, will help minimise disruption, and we’re liaising with school buses as well.”

Construction is expected to be completed by June 30 next year, in line with state funding requirements.