Council
17 July, 2026
Council backs push for safer roads
A COMMUNITY-led initiative advocating for safer roads and better connections across the Hopkins Highway corridor has reached a significant milestone.
Warrnambool City Council has unanimously supported a motion calling on the state government to prioritise road safety improvements and active transport connections between Warrnambool, Bushfield, Woodford and Allansford.
The motion follows months of community consultation, stakeholder engagement and advocacy through the Connecting Warrnambool initiative, which has brought together residents, schools, sporting groups, local government, community organisations and industry to improve safety and connectivity across the region.
Founder and campaign lead of Connecting Warrnambool, Elise McKinnon, said the unanimous council support represented an important step forward.
“This isn’t just a milestone for Connecting Warrnambool; it’s a milestone for our entire community,” she said.
“Council has listened to our community, acknowledged the challenges we face and committed to advocating alongside us and we’re incredibly grateful for that support.”
Ms McKinnon said council recognised the importance of improving road safety and active connections while acknowledging that the Hopkins Highway is a state-managed arterial road requiring partnership with the state government for meaningful improvements.
The initiative has gained significant momentum in recent weeks following extensive community engagement, widespread media coverage and growing concern about safety along the Hopkins Highway corridor.
Recent incidents, including three major truck rollovers within three weeks, have reinforced community concerns about road safety, particularly around the Bridge Road/Bushfield Recreation Reserve crossing and the Springfield Road bend.
Ms McKinnon said the campaign would now move into its next phase.
“Our focus now is on building the strongest possible evidence base,” she said.
“We’ll continue working collaboratively with our community, councils, the Department of Transport and Planning, technical experts and industry to gather crash history, traffic information, emergency service data, community feedback and lived experience so we can present the strongest possible case for practical improvements.”
The community is seeking a comprehensive review of the Hopkins Highway corridor, practical short-term safety improvements and continued planning for safer walking and cycling connections between Warrnambool, Bushfield, Woodford and Allansford.
Ms McKinnon said the initiative had always been about working together.
“This has never been about blame,” she said.
“It’s about bringing people together to create practical solutions that improve safety for everyone who relies on these roads - our children, families, freight operators, farmers, emergency services and visitors.”
She thanked the Warrnambool community for its ongoing support.
“This achievement belongs to everyone who completed our survey, shared their story, attended meetings, introduced us to others, spoke to the media or simply encouraged us along the way.
“Communities create change when they work together, and we’re only just getting started.”
