General News
15 November, 2025
Push for safer roads in Warracknabeal
A group of concerned Warracknabeal community members has formed a sub-committee of the Warracknabeal Action Group to lobby the Yarriambiack Shire and the Department of Transport and Planning for safety upgrades across key routes around Warracknabeal.
"We are advocating for safer roads - safer community," said organiser and Town Scape Committee Secretary Joy Swagerman.
"We want to act before there is a tragedy, and we are asking members of the community to join us by signing a petition," she said.
"We have identified several areas that need attention, and these include the Kelsall Street, Lyle Street and Gardiner Street and Henty Highway intersections."
The group has identified each of these as needing dedicated turning lanes plus more clearly signed existing in and out lanes.
"Each of these will be impacted by the projected increased traffic movements across the Shire as renewable projects, mining operations, and hay export production gain momentum, and we want the state government to act now," she said.
Ms Swagerman said locals have observed and experienced 'near misses' at these intersections, and the group is concerned that as traffic movement increases, there is a need to be proactive rather than reactive.
"With increased traffic movements, there will be more drivers who are not familiar with the area, and this, we believe, is an important factor in addressing the upgrades," she said.
In addition to dedicated turning lanes, the group has identified what they believe is a lack of lighting at some of these points.
"We want additional lighting at these points too, but with a specific focus on the Kelsall Street and Henty Highway intersection, where there is only one light.
"Many of the renewable and mining projects will be 24/7 operations, which means increased traffic at night as well as during the day and weekends.
"This highlights the need for immediate commitment to invest and improve our Shires road network," she said.
Petitions are available to sign throughout the Shire, including Loud Signs, Bentley Servo, Home Hardware, Danny's Second Hand, the Tourist Centre, Post Office, Chemist, Taylors Palace Hotel, Jim's Takeaway, Pony Express, Brunt Trucks, Landmark, Wheatlands and other locations.
"We move some of the petitions from business to business from time to time so they are easy to find," Ms Swagerman said.
The petition began a month ago, and it will end on November 30.
"We will collect them and they will be submitted to Yarriambiack Shire Council with a request for advocacy support from the Shire and the Department of Transport and Planning," she said.
President Corena Crawford is a former SES volunteer and said she knows first-hand how often the SES is called out, so any action to make roads safer should receive priority from the Department of Transportation and planning.
For further information, call Joy Swagerman on 0428 302 281 or email jiyswagerman@gmail.com.
