Kalimna Hill is getting a much-needed facelift.
The Gippsland Projects team at the Department of Transport and Planning has announced the upgrading of the Princes Highway at the intersection of Lookout Road and Hotel Road in Kalimna and improving the footpath from the Kalimna Lookout to North Arm Bridge, Lakes Entrance.
Works are expected to start by August and be completed in late 2025.
Member of the LEADA Infrastructure subcommittee Jeff Wilson, who has been working towards this outcome for the past five years, is thrilled with the news.
“It is going to be fabulous to see the resurfacing of the path all the way from the bridge,” Mr Wilson said.
“We are now pushing strongly for this path to be widened from the second pullover, where the interpretive signs are, up to the top, allowing people to park at the look out and safely walk down to the view of the entrance.”
The upgrades include concrete medians at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Lookout Road, concrete refuge and raised safety platforms on the Princes Highway near Hotel Road to improve safety for pedestrians crossing the highway, improved street lighting around the Lookout Road and Hotel Road intersection, resurfacing of the highway through this intersection, improving the surface of Kalimna Path, and replacing the existing pedestrian fence on the foreshore side with a new fence.
The benefits will include improved pedestrian access to support active transport within the community and for visitors to the area, safer speeds for vehicles, reducing danger for pedestrians in the area and aesthetic improvements to the western gateway into Lakes Entrance.
The Federal and State governments have committed $1.98 million for safety improvements to the Kalimna Path, and the Princes Highway at the Lookout Road and Hotel Road intersection in Kalimna.
“We understand the complex balance of connecting communities whilst caring for our natural environment,” the Department stated.
“We share the value the community places on the environment and have worked hard to minimise disturbance to native wildlife and vegetation. Some vegetation needs to be trimmed for the improvements to
Kalimna Path.
“We are working with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on the environmental approvals for these works and work will be carried out in accordance with a Construction Environmental
Management Plan.”
Another area Mr Wilson is hoping will be addressed is better signage to the Rotary Park/Jemmys Lookout, as he says it is lacking.
“This is a great attraction offering wonderful views, a postcard frame for photos and connection to the walking loops. Off the highway it needs to be better defined for traffic onto Lookout Road. More signage at the pullovers and the bottom of Jemmys hill would also be beneficial,” he said.
Mr Wilson is also pushing for reduced traffic speeds from Caravilla Caravan Park on the western entrance to town.
“At the moment we have 100, 80, 70 and then 60 kilometres per hour. With so many feeder roads straight onto the highway we suggest a consistent 60kph speed limit,” he said.
“All in all, we are tickled pink with the resurfacing of the path and widening where possible and replacement of the fence is finally happening after so many phone calls and meetings,” Jeff said.
