Have your say on Boak Avenue lots

THREE years ago, the City of Ballarat council resolved to sell the vacant lot which was previously Mount Helen Preschool at 14 and 16 Boak Avenue, Mount Helen.

Having remained largely vacant since 2016, the land was deemed surplus by the City with the intention to sell it in 2018.

Although no public submissions were received at the time of advertising the City’s intentions to sell, objections have since been made regarding a planning application which proposes to remove 14 Boak Avenue’s reserve status, consolidate it with adjoining block and remove the drainage easement.

The City of Ballarat’s community infrastructure support officer Katrina Baraquiel said community members have requested that this planning should be reconsidered and that the community should be consulted on its future use.

“Through the submission process in December some community members made it clear that they would like further consideration about the future of the site before a decision was made,” she said.

“The engagement process provides an opportunity to determine the scale and breadth of community opinion about the site.”

As per the decision by the City of Ballarat council, prior to making a decision on the future of the land, both in person and online community consultation processes are to be completed and feedback is to be considered by councillors.

Ms Baraquiel said that although they have already received 32 survey responses from residents so far, many have noted they encouraging others to fill out the form.

“Five–hundred and seventy-five postcards were dropped in letter boxes to ask Mount Helen residents about their ideas for the site and their use of existing community infrastructure in Mount Helen,” she said.

“Community feedback will be collated in a report to be submitted to the councillors for decision in a future council meeting.”

“Findings of the engagement will be considered in identifying possible options for the site, taking into account whole of life costs and potential community outcomes.”

The online survey will be available at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/14-16-boak-avenue until 7 May.