Council outlines top priorities for highway
Published on 21 August 2025
West Wimmera Shire Council has outlined its top priorities for the Western Highway as part of a new advocacy strategy.
Council adopted the Western Highway Action Committee Advocacy Strategy at its August meeting on Wednesday, which lists Council’s advocacy priorities.
The strategy establishes Council’s minimum expectations for highway infrastructure to support growing freight demands and improve safety for all road users.
It will guide Council’s advocacy within the action committee, and in direct representations to state and federal governments.
The strategy also incorporates priorities such as addressing mobile black spots on emergency detour routes and ensuring prompt maintenance of wire road barriers.
Mayor Tim Meyer said the strategy ensured West Wimmera Shire Council’s voice was heard in key planning forums.
“We’re in the unique position of being at the end of the line, so many of our priorities focus on safety because we often face the toughest conditions,” he said.
“However, we are supportive of all upgrades on the highway. An upgrade at Caroline Springs is a benefit to us; an upgrade at Horsham is a benefit for us.
“This strategy is not just about trying to fix things in our neck of the woods - it’s an important document for the entire region.”
Council’s long-term strategic priorities for the highway include duplication between Nhill and the South Australian border; cross-border freight and transport consistency through standardising road conditions and signage to align with other states; forward planning for alternate routes in case of closures; and building climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand flooding, extreme heat, and heavy freight wear.
Short-term priorities focus on immediate safety and efficiency gains.
These include sealed shoulders wide enough for vehicles to stop safely; maintaining clear roadside areas; expanding wide centreline treatments to reduce head-on crashes; and installing wire rope barriers and guardrails in high-risk areas.
Council will also advocate for more overtaking lanes and slow vehicle turnouts, upgraded intersections and turning lanes, and modern all-weather rest areas suitable for heavy vehicles to support fatigue management.
Cr Meyer said there were many safety issues that needed urgent attention.
“Some of these changes, like overtaking lanes and sealed shoulders, could save lives right now,” he said.
“Others, like duplication and climate-resilient designs, are about making sure the highway serves us well for decades to come.”
Cr Meyer said the adoption of the Western Highway Action Committee Advocacy Strategy reinforced Council’s commitment to safer, more reliable road connections for freight operators, industry, and the wider community.