Improving Safety Around Warracknabeal Schools
Published on 18 September 2026
Major Works Funded, Further Action Required
More than $1 million in road safety improvements will soon be delivered throughout the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, creating safer conditions for students, families, staff and the wider community.
The Warracknabeal Education Precinct was officially completed in 2023 following a Victorian Government investment of more than $27 million, bringing Warracknabeal Primary School, Warracknabeal Secondary College and Warracknabeal Special Developmental School together on a single campus with shared administration, gymnasium and community facilities.
While the project delivered world-class educational facilities, it did not include sufficient parking and broader traffic management infrastructure to accommodate the increased movement of students, staff, families and school buses within the precinct. As a result, Yarriambiack Shire Council has been working to address several traffic and pedestrian safety challenges across the surrounding road network resulting from the school upgrades.
Council successfully secured funding from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to undertake a comprehensive road safety assessment of the school precinct. The assessment examined traffic movements and safety concerns affecting the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, Warracknabeal Kindergarten, early years services and St Mary's Primary School.
The assessment identified several opportunities to improve pedestrian safety, traffic flow and vehicle movements throughout the precinct.
Building on this work, Council has secured funding through Victoria's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program to deliver more than $1 million in safety improvements in Warracknabeal.
The works will include raised pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, improved street lighting, connecting footpaths and enhanced signage along Werrigar Street, Anderson Street and sections of Campbell Street.
Construction is expected to commence early 2027.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Tammy Smith said the project represents a significant investment in community safety.
"The consolidation of our schools onto one site has created tremendous educational opportunities for local students, but it has also increased traffic volumes and congestion throughout the surrounding streets."
"These infrastructure improvements will make it safer for children, parents, teachers and motorists moving through the precinct every day."
However, Council says additional improvements are still required along Campbell Street and will require further funding support.
School principals have consistently raised concerns regarding traffic safety around St Mary's Primary School, particularly along Campbell Street, as well as broader issues affecting the Warracknabeal Kindergarten, Warracknabeal Primary School, Warracknabeal Secondary College and Special Developmental School precinct.
Key concerns include traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, vehicle movements and conflicts between buses, cars and pedestrians during peak school periods.
Each afternoon, school buses depart from Werrigar Street and travel along Campbell Street before turning into Lyle Street. The combination of buses, parent vehicles, on-street parking and pedestrian movements can create congestion and safety risks within the corridor.
To address these issues and support future funding applications, Council is proposing to make Campbell Street one-way between King Street and Lyle Street.
The proposed change would significantly improve safety and traffic flow while creating opportunities for further infrastructure upgrades, including widening and improving the existing footpath along Campbell Street.
Without changes to the current road configuration, opportunities to widen the footpath and address several identified safety concerns are limited due to the existing width of the street.
"Council is committed to pursuing long-term solutions that improve safety across the entire education precinct," Ms Smith said.
"Making Campbell Street one-way would provide additional space for pedestrian infrastructure, improve traffic flow and strengthen our ability to secure future funding for further upgrades."
"The safety of our students, families and school communities must remain our highest priority, and it is vital that we continue working collaboratively to address these issues as soon as possible."
Council will invite the Warracknabeal community to provide feedback on the proposed Campbell Street change through a 28-day Have Your Say process, beginning Thursday 24 September 2026 in line with Council’s Community Engagement Policy and Procedure. Submissions close at 12 noon on Thursday 22 October 2026.
To have your say, visit Council’s website or write to the Chief Executive Officer at Yarriambiack Shire Council by emailing info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au or posting submissions to PO Box 243, Warracknabeal VIC 3393.
For further information please contact Joel Turner, Chief Engineering Officer via email info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au or calling the Shire Office during business hours on 03 53 98 0100.
END OF MEDIA RELEASE
Tammy Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Images showing the proposed Campbell Street one-way changes, and the Warracknabeal Education Precinct road and footpath upgrades.