Council to call for residents’ concerns – City of Ballarat council meeting briefs

CITY of Ballarat councillors are aiming to advocate on behalf of residents looking to push back at a proposed substation at 203 York Street in Golden Point.

The decision was made with a unanimous motion from councillors during their regular meeting on Wednesday, 24 May, after having received a 36-signature petition against the substation’s location.

The presentation saw four submissions, including from Jenny Patterson, a Golden Point resident of four decades, who said the substation was unsuitable for the area.

“We… had a look at two substations in Ballarat and one in Castlemaine. None of these substations are near housing,” she said.

“I share the same concerns as everyone who lives in our tight-knit neighbourhood area noise-wise, aesthetics, effects on the Pennyweight Park Creek and Gully as well as the devaluation of our property.

Ms Patterson also said consultation from Powercor representatives had been poor and that the location’s surrounds has become too populated for a substation since the land was bought in the 1960s.

Cr Amy Johnson moved the motion for a briefing on advocacy options, saying a substation would be “an eyesore” for the area.

“I don’t think this is an appropriate location. We should be doing all we can to encourage a choice of a different site,” she said.

A briefing on potential advocacy options will come to council during their next meeting.

 

Report received

Councillors looked back on the municipality’s spending as part of their quarterly performance report, with carryover funds marking a key theme of the discussion.

The report listed a nearly-$80 million surplus which the municipality’s director of corporate services John Hausler said was down to timing and funding changes on carryover projects.

“The majority of the impact we’re seeing… is from capital projects not being completed in the timeframe we initially projected,” he said.

“These funds are still required to pay for the project council has committed to. We’re at a constant process of going through, assessing the actual cost of the project and if the funds are still required.”

Cr Ben Taylor said the report showcased the municipality in a “good and prudent” financial position that plans for uncertainty.

 

Bus note

The bus route along Doveton Street is set to be considered as part of the municipality’s bus network review following councillors’ noting of a joint letter.

The document featured “a couple dozen signatures” according to Cr Belinda Coates, who called for the submission to be considered part of the feedback for the municipality’s bus network review.

“It’s important to note that particular connection does go right past our central library and these are the main older residents who have signed this petition,” she said.

“It’s a really good example of how the public transport network doesn’t actually get people where they need or want to go.”

 

Centre focus

Councillors received an update on the municipality’s handling of the Eureka Centre as part of their 2030: A Vision for the Eureka Centre plan.

Cr Daniel Moloney, who is one of two councillors part of the site’s consultative committee, said the facility use has started to increase since the lifting of most COVID restrictions.

“Its great to see a big part of those visiting, not just the museum but also the cafe and gift store and also the records office as well,” he said.

“A lot of those people are coming from outside of Ballarat, so 74 per cent. This vision is good for it.”

More than 42,000 people are expected to visit the Eureka Centre by the end of the 2022/2023 financial year.

 

Library plans

With the first year completed for the municipality’s Libraries and Learning Strategy 2022-2027, councillors commented on how the plan has gone so far.

Cr Coates said the strategy has been successful in helping to boost Ballarat’s library offerings.

“The libraries across the city, at their peak, see at least 2000-plus people through the doors every day they’re open,” she said.

“The report outlines the breadth of the work that’s getting done there. Libraries really do change lives.”

 

New board members

Three new members were nominated to be part of the committee for Her Majesty’s Theatre, filling vacant positions.

The delegated committee members are municipality-selected candidates Kerry Watson and Coady Green, while the Royal South Street Society’s chosen representative Andrea Brown.

Each new member is signed on for a three-year term and Cr Moloney said their experience will be valued as part of the team.

“I’m confident these people will continue to take the board to the next place,” he said.

The board positions were previously held by Emma Blee, Scott Sherritt, and Mary-Rose McLaren.