Works will begin on lighting up Ballarat’s iconic Lake Wendouree so locals can enjoy the precinct for more hours of the day, all year round thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today turned the first sod on the Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project. The project is being supported through a $2.5 million investment from the Labor Government.

The project is creating up to seven jobs during installation and will further enhance the iconic Lake Wendouree’s appeal, including providing greater access to its six kilometre running track and adventure playground. It will also ensure better and safer access to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Ballarat Tramway Museum.

The project includes the installation of LED low spill lighting around the Steve Moneghetti Track and a lighting link through to Victoria Park. The lighting can be programmed to turn on and off to cater to the needs of lake users, local residents and the animals that live around the lake.

The project aligns with the Lake Wendouree Master Plan which was endorsed by the City of Ballarat in 2015 following extensive community engagement.

Regional contractor DeAraugo and Lea Electrical will deliver the project, which is expected to be complete mid-next year.

The Lake Lighting project is one of several government investments in the Lake Wendouree precinct, including the recently completed track works at the Ballarat Tramway Museum’s scenic touring route, backed by a $1.2 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of the Labor Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and helps councils to build the infrastructure locals need.

This support is part of the Labor Government’s record investment of more than $36 billion in regional and rural Victoria since 2015.  Find out more at rdv.vic.gov.au/rjif.

Further Project information can be obtained at ballarat.vic.gov.au/lakelighting.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“I welcome the start of works for this important community project that will deliver benefits for our rowers, our runners, and our recreational users.

Lake lighting will benefit the Loreto rowers carrying their boats across to the Lake before dawn and people wanting to get some exercise after work on dark Winter evenings when the sun sets at 5:30pm.

These lighting and safety upgrades around the Steve Moneghetti track will encourage more people to get active and enjoy beautiful Lake Wendouree, all year round.”