General News
12 April, 2026
‘Unsightly’ town entrance under review
ARARAT Rural City Council is set to embark on a community campaign to clean up the eastern entrance to Ararat.
Councillors recently agreed to commence a community engagement plan to improve the eastern entrance to town, with CEO Dr Tim Harrison describing it “unattractive” and “unsightly”.
“Conversations over time with several councillors have indicated we are very keen to do something about (it) and it is possibly timely for us to engage in a conversation with the community about what they think it might look like.
“We can bring options together and look at a planned response to that eastern entrance to Ararat including that dirty great roundabout we have got there that looks terrible,” he said.
Dr Harrison reported the existing entrance signage, while functional, has become dated in appearance and no longer reflects the town’s identity.
Last week’s council meeting was told town entrances “serve as important visual entry points, shaping the first impressions of visitors and reinforcing a sense of identity for residents.”
A report to the meeting stated the existing eastern entrance signage has served the community for many years, however, its style and presentation no longer reflect the town’s character.
“The signage appears dated and lacks the welcoming presence expected of our township,” the report said.
The report recommended that submissions for the eastern town entrance sign ideas be put to public consultation via Engage Ararat which will then be presented back to council for consideration at a future council meeting.
Councillors enthusiastically embraced a community campaign to improve the eastern entrance.
Cr Peter Joyce said he has long wanted to see improvements to the entrance.
“This has been a bugbear of mine for many years. It is not a welcome entrance, it doesn’t present Ararat in the greatest way possible and I’m really excited to hear what our community members and our local businesses have for ideas about how we can improve and make the entrance to Ararat better to see and more welcoming for our community and visitors,” Cr Joyce said.
Cr Luke Preston said it was a great opportunity for people to have a say on how the eastern entrance can be improved.
“A lot of community members reach out to us councillors and this has been something that has come up to quite a few of us by a lot of people.
“This is the time to put your ideas forward.
“It’s easy to say, what are you going to do about the entrance to the town, now is the time to put your ideas forward,” Cr Preston said.
Read More: Ararat