Call to reopen dog parks – City of Ballarat council meeting briefs

THE City of Ballarat will conduct a risk assessment of off-leash dog parks, following correspondence from ratepayers requesting access for their high-energy pets.

Received during the council meeting on Wednesday, 12 August, the municipality’s pandemic taskforce head Neville Ivey said regional Victoria’s stage three restrictions allow for off-leash dog parks to be open, but his team had initially taken a “conservative approach.”

“Protecting the community and public health is a primary objective in this COVID environment,” he said.

“After a risk assessment, they could be open soon. We’ll look at signage requirements and put it in place very quickly.”

Cr Des Hudson said residents from the south ward had also contacted him.

“Their view is that they can maintain social distancing, and the spaces are ideal for their dogs to run,” he said.

“If it’s one thing that can reopen for communities, that would be great during stage three restrictions.”

 

Financial hardship support extended

Organisations and individuals will be able to access the City’s COVID-19 financial hardship program until Wednesday, 30 June 2021.

Mayor Cr Ben Taylor said he was pleased to continue helping residents in their unique cases of hardship.

“It’s good we can extend that time period… deal with cases as they come through, make sure that that’s consistent with no interest being charged, deferral of those rates and working through payment plans that are suitable,” he said.

 

Transport Plan full steam ahead

Councillors adopted the 2020 Ballarat Integrated Transport Action Plan which suggests ways the City could better local transport systems, from roads, to footpaths, to bike infrastructure, and ways the State government could improve public transport.

The municipality will now lobby the State government regarding transport priorities listed in the plan, and suggest potential financial partnerships between the two tiers to quickly achieve changes.

Pilot, trial and temporary transport projects will be explored, embracing newer technologies and diversifying options, for example, e-scooters, car and bike shares, and hydrogen and electric fuel cell vehicles.

Deputy-mayor Cr Belinda Coates said the plan is a “wholistic view” of integrated transport, and has been well received by the community.

“It opens up opportunities to pilot new ways of doing things, whether that is having a really good look at trams, trackless trams or autonomous vehicles,” she said.

“The overhaul of Ballarat’s bus network is desperate and it’s disappointing that the State government has been dragging the chain.”

 

Yarrowee plan flows on

The Yarrowee River and Tributaries: River Corridor Master Plan was adopted by councillors.

For the next 25 years, the plan will offer recommendations for pedestrian and cyclist access to the river and trails, managing vegetation and regeneration, sustainably maintaining wetlands, waterways and good water quality, sludge and contamination, parks and recreation, tenure of land, and engagement and education.

Priority projects include signage at the Dowcra Street and Prest Street lookout, work on the Sunnyside Mill parklands, the revitalisation of Redan Wetlands, and an upgrade of the trail, extending it from Dowcra Street to the Midland Highway.

 

Cricket cost-saving

A new five-year strategic partnership with the Ballarat Cricket Association is set to save the City an estimated $171,500.

Throughout the cricket season, BCA will prepare and maintain all turf wickets in the municipality, except for those at the Eastern Oval’s Regional Cricket Hub which the City will coordinate.

The City and the BCA will also collaborate on a series of junior development, women’s, and all abilities cricket programs, as well as player pathway opportunities.

This strategic partnership is valued at $100,000 annually, will begin this 2020/2021 financial year, and will mean municipal grounds staff and resources can move to cover other facilities across the City.

Cr Des Hudson said clubs have seen an inequity in preparing their own turf wickets. The City of Ballarat will train BCA members and offer equipment to complete pitch works.

 

Champs granted, on-track to run

Athletics Victoria has will receive a $6250 Tourism Event Grant from the City of Ballarat for their 2021 Country Championships planned for Llanberris Reserve in January.

But Cr Daniel Moloney was realistic about the potential presence of COVID-19 restrictions at the start of next year.

“It’s a pity it can’t probably be everything it could be…and that’s assuming it goes ahead, but as much as we possibly can, we’ve got to encourage elite sport to come to Ballarat and the next generation of athletes in our city,” he said.

Funds will be returned if the event doesn’t go ahead.

 

Pitch for free parking

During the meeting Cr Amy Johnson expressed disappointment that parking wouldn’t be free under stage three COVID-19 restrictions, and suggested that approach change.

“We’ve closed our playgrounds, gyms, pools, beauty services, tourist attractions, cafes and restaurants, except for takeaway, but council still thinks our parking meters are essential,” she said.

“They’re not essential. They pose a serious risk to our community. Residents without the CellOPark app have to use the meters, at a time where we should be eliminating the use of shared surfaces as much as possible.

“We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and recession. Money is tighter than ever. We should be following our own advice to ‘Be Kind Ballarat,’ and provide free parking in our CBD again.”

 

Halls’ volunteer groups rebranded

Under the new state Local Government Act 2020, community asset committees will be established across the municipality.

Ascot Hall, Brown Hill Hall, Miners Rest Mechanics Institute Hall, Warrenheip Hall, Scotsburn Hall, Cardigan Village Community Centre, Burrumbeet Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sebastopol RSL Hall and Buninyong Hall, and the Invermay Recreation Reserve Special Committee will all gain community asset committees.

The old advisory committees at all the above community centres will be dissolved.

Cr Daniel Moloney gave a “hearty thanks” to volunteers.

“They give a lot of their time to be part of these committees, that keep these halls vibrant, active places,” he said.

“They encourage local community activities, do a great job looking after the halls, and if we were to pay for this, we’d be dearly out of pocket. We should be grateful to these people.”