From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 6 August

The decision to re-open the Bridge Mall to traffic is to be applauded, but will the $18 million investment help to eradicate the anti-social behaviour which has plagued the area in recent times?

LITTLE Bridge Street’s bus terminus is a major contributing factor to the problem. Until that issue is resolved it is unlikely the disruptive status quo will change.

Recently, removal of a section of the existing bus shelter was mooted as part of the solution. That is too silly to consider. Those creating the problems are not so foolish they will stand in the rain, or the heat. It is not a quantum leap to suggest the troublemakers will move to congregate in the area which is sheltered, thus exacerbating the problem, and intimidating legitimate, waiting bus passengers.

There is a more obvious answer. The current bus model does NOT best serve the public, or Little Bridge Street traders. The routing methodology is no longer fit-for-purpose. It must be revised, immediately. Despite City of Ballarat requests to Public Transport Victoria, there is a determined lack of willing to engage in a meaningful dialogue to make the system more traveller friendly.

Public transport is vital. That buses do not travel across Ballarat is a nonsense. All bus routes (excepting Miner’s Rest) pass through Little Bridge Street, creating a pseudo bus terminus for anyone needing to cross the city.

It is time for the Members for Wendouree, Julianna Addison, and Eureka, Michaela Settle, to use their elected office and political muscle to menace PTV. It is imperative – and should be tackled sooner rather than later. It is their elected responsibility to help deliver a satisfactory outcome. Ballarat’s public transport community deserves better.

Prior to closure, Bridge Street was a popular shopping precinct. The challenge to restore what has been lost, and to attract shoppers, is significant.

Wendy Holgate recalls from her childhood, “The tram ran through the middle of some of Ballarat’s favourite shops. Coles and Woolworths Variety stores. I worked in the vegetable department; Gower’s where brides-to-be bought their wedding dresses; Messer and Opie; Capri coffee house, and Paterson’s Furniture on one corner.”

Victoria Police’s Ballarat office in charge, Inspector Jason Templar, will meet with a group of local leaders with a view to establishing a considered community methodology which might assist in resolving policing predicaments, in particular Little Bridge Street. Templar said, ‘We cannot arrest our way out of the antisocial problems in Little Bridge Street.”

Community policing expectations have shifted; society is more nuanced, more problematic; consequently, the police cannot work in isolation. The persistent behaviour is a collective dilemma and one which will be solved only by ongoing and committed community involvement.

A police community statement survey identifies youth offending, street violence, anti-social behaviour, intimidating groups, and verbal abuse and harassment as contributing to public concern. The Andrews’ Government must give police the relevant powers of detention, specifically recalcitrants as young as 12 who have no fear of being caught.

Templar added, “From a procedural viewpoint, the police focus will be an intelligence-led, community safety approach. It won’t be on ‘the feel’ or ‘the vibe’; and not only by intelligence, but by proven research on what works in public spaces.

“Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is a recognised methodology used to identify public safety risk, and to dissuade offenders by manipulating the physical environment in which the criminal offending occurs. Through collaboration, we’ll gather and review the data; identify the solutions which will involve the entire community; and see what happens from there.”

Roland can be heard with Brett MacDonald on 3BA on Mondays at 10.45am and can be contacted via [email protected].