Ballarat transport network faces August disruptions as station works and population growth shape next steps

Coach replacements will operate on the Ballarat Line from 12 August to 31 August 2026 due to Melton Level Crossing Removal works, while speed restrictions remain on the Ararat Line until 22 August.

Why the timing matters

Ballarat maintains very high car dependency with the motor vehicle as the main form of transport. Population growth is projected to reach 160,000 by 2040 and will compound existing traffic congestion on major roads.

Current local services and changes

The city operates as a major rail hub with V/Line services on the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines to Melbourne. Two passenger stations serve the area at Ballarat and Wendouree. CDC Ballarat runs 15 urban bus routes that record around 120,000 trips per month. Route 10 was extended to Lucas on 23 February 2025. Multiple routes 10-30 have bypassed the Ballarat Station Bus Interchange since January 2025 and will continue doing so through 2026 because of station upgrade works, with passengers using temporary stops on Lydiard Street North instead.

Evidence from completed works and road volumes

The $60.8 million Keeping Ballarat Moving program has finished, adding new roundabouts and traffic lights at six west-side intersections including Dyson Drive and Ballarat-Carngham Road, which handles 700 vehicles per hour in peak periods. Daily volumes on the busiest roads stand at 22,400 vehicles on Albert Street in Redan, 22,000 on Sturt Street in Newington and 21,500 on Gillies Street in Lake Gardens.

Residents and operators now face choices on how to maintain service reliability during the August coach period and how to integrate the completed intersection upgrades with longer-term rail and bus planning as the station works conclude.