As construction continues on the Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade this autumn and winter, we’re giving you extra reasons to shop local and support businesses in the community.
Shoppers can support local businesses and local primary schools at the same time thanks to a new initiative from Big Build Roads.
The project’s Shop to the Top promotion turns everyday spending into real support for schools, while helping local traders impacted by major works.
From Monday 11 May to Friday 31 July 2026, every dollar spent at participating businesses at McGrath Road north and Ballan Road will earn points for a nominated participating local primary school.
At the end of the campaign, the school with the highest spend per student will win a $5,000 grant to invest in educational resources, programs or facilities.
To ensure a fair competition, total spend for each school will be divided by student enrolments, meaning every school has an equal chance to win regardless of size.
Taking part is simple. Shoppers collect their receipt from a participating business, then scan a QR code, or head online, to upload their entry and nominate their chosen school.
The promotion supports traders affected by changed access during major works, encouraging the community to continue shopping locally while upgrades are underway.
Shop to the Top also helps connect the project with local families, building community spirit and leaving a positive legacy for schools and traders in Wyndham Vale.
The competition runs across Terms 2 and 3, with the winning school to be announced in August 2026.
Shop to the Top comes as major works continue to upgrade the intersection of Ballan, Greens and McGrath roads to improve safety and traffic flow for the growing Wyndham Vale community.
McGrath Road north is currently closed at Ballan Road until late 2026 while the northern half of the new intersection is built. Works will then move to the southern side. Building the intersection in halves enables traffic to keep flowing on the busy Ballan Road east-west connection for the majority of construction.
Until later in 2026, access the eateries, car & dog wash and BP from the McGrath Road north shop driveway via Heaths or Bolton roads. The Ballan Road shop driveway is closed as works progress on the northern side of the intersection.
Find out more about Shop to the Top, including participating businesses and schools.