Get set for Llanberris Reserve consultation

IDEAS for how to use Llanberris Reserve are being sought to help shape the future of the Golden Point athletics facility.

The site at 11 York Street has long been used for club and school athletics meets, but with the new Ballarat Regional Athletics Centre at the Ballarat Major Events Precinct due to open later this year in Wendouree, larger-scale athletics carnivals will be relocated.

Llanberris Reserve will soon retire as a competitive venue.

“We want to hear what matters most to locals and how this space can be transformed into a welcoming and accessible space for all to enjoy,” said City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves.

“Llanberris Reserve sits above the original Llanberris Number One mine shaft, built in the 1800s which means there are some physical limitations as to what changes can be made, however, even with some site limitations there are many elements of the design where community input will directly impact the outcome.”

Speaking on site, City of Ballarat deputy mayor Cr Ben Taylor said Llanberris Reserve has recreational use zoning but otherwise its possible future is “pretty much a blank canvas”.

Within days of opening, the consultation process attracted more than 100 submissions from locals, including community groups, keen to put forward their ideas, Cr Taylor said.

The opportunity for input runs through to Thursday 28 May with people able to share their ideas and feedback via the council’s dedicated MySay page.

The city is also hosting a series of drop-in sessions to provide opportunities for people to learn more and have a say.

Public drop-in sessions are set to take place at the reserve itself at 11am-1pm on Saturday 9 May, 10am-11.30am on Wednesday 20 May and 4.30pm-6pm on Wednesday 20 May.