Council Road Marking: 15km Residential Streets Ballarat VIC
The Challenge: 15km of Roads, School Holidays Only, Fixed Budget
A regional Victorian council approached us in May for their annual road marking maintenance program. The scope: 15 kilometres of residential streets across Wendouree and Delacombe, plus 23 pedestrian crossings and 8 school zones. The catch? All work had to happen during the July school holidays to minimise community disruption.
Council budgets are fixed. There's no room for cost overruns or variations. They needed accurate pricing upfront and confidence that we'd deliver exactly what we quoted.
The previous contractor had struggled with the timeline, leaving several streets incomplete when school resumed. Parents were not happy. The council made it clear: we finish on time, or we don't get the contract.
Our Approach: Systematic Planning, Daily Progress, Community First
We broke the 15km into logical zones, tackling one suburb per week. Each zone was planned to minimise resident inconvenience while maximising marking efficiency.
Traffic Management Planning
Every street required a traffic control plan approved by VicRoads. We submitted all 47 plans in a single batch three weeks before the project start. By the time school holidays began, every approval was in place. No delays waiting for paperwork.
Material Selection
For high-wear areas (intersections, pedestrian crossings, school zones), we specified thermoplastic. It handles vehicle braking and turning forces better than paint. For centre lines and edge lines on quieter streets, waterborne road marking paint with glass bead application for retroreflectivity. Every material met AS/NZS 1906.3 requirements for night visibility.
Community Communication
We worked with council to letter-drop affected streets 48 hours before our arrival. Residents knew exactly when we'd be working and where to park temporarily. It sounds like a small thing, but clear communication prevents complaints and makes the job smoother for everyone.
Daily Progress Targets
Week one: Wendouree residential streets, 4km of centre and edge lines. Week two: Delacombe residential streets, 6km of lines. Week three: Pedestrian crossings and intersection treatments across both suburbs. Week four: School zone markings, dragon's teeth, 40km/h legends, and final touch-ups. We hit every target. Council received daily progress photos documenting completed sections.
The Results: On Time, On Budget, Zero Complaints
We completed the full 15km, all 23 pedestrian crossings, and all 8 school zones with two days to spare before school resumed. Every crossing was fully cured and ready for pedestrians on day one of term.
Council's post-project inspection found zero defects. Every line met AS 1742.2 width and placement requirements. Retroreflectivity testing confirmed all markings exceeded minimum standards.
The contract renewal came through in October. We're now the preferred supplier for all road marking work across the municipality.
Results Highlights
Case Study FAQs
Every street requires an approved traffic control plan. We use qualified traffic controllers, appropriate signage, and lane closures where necessary. For residential streets, we typically work in short sections, allowing residents access between marked zones. Safety is non-negotiable, both for our crew and the community.
Thermoplastic is a hot-applied material that fuses to the road surface. It's thicker, more durable, and lasts 4-6 years in high-wear areas. Paint is a liquid coating that dries on the surface. It's more cost-effective for low-wear areas but typically lasts 1-2 years. We recommend thermoplastic for intersections, crossings, and school zones where braking and turning stresses are highest.
Yes. We prepare and submit all traffic control plans, coordinate with VicRoads or local road authorities, and manage the approval timeline. Councils appreciate working with contractors who handle paperwork professionally because it reduces their administrative burden.
Australian road markings must comply with AS 1742 series (traffic control devices) and AS/NZS 1906.3 (retroreflective materials). Line widths, colours, and placement are all specified. Retroreflectivity (night visibility) must meet minimum thresholds. We test every job to confirm compliance before handover.
We're approved to work on council roads across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. We've completed projects for metropolitan councils and regional municipalities alike. Contact us with your requirements and we'll provide a detailed proposal.
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