Protesters plead, ‘get the lighting right’

HUNDREDS of people met on the Lake Wendouree foreshore last Thursday night for a ‘Get the Lake Lighting Right’ rally, opposing current plans to illuminate the Steve Moneghetti track.

The project plans include 225 lamp posts around the lake, that are 5.5 metres high and 25 metres apart, which are designed to brighten the path early in the morning, and in the evening.

Those in opposition of the project, especially its current design, are concerned about the visual impact of the lights, the effect of construction works – including the installation of large underground concrete blocks, the effect on native wildlife, the cost of the works, and electricity.

Hosted by Roland Rocchiccioli, the rally included speeches from photographer Peter Kervarec, electrician Wes McKnight – who shared an alternative ground-level, “vandal-proof” light option – Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur, and members of the public.

“These lights will be an ugly, over the top intrusion on Ballarat’s most beautiful space. Lighting the path can be done with a subtle solution that involves in-ground cross-path illumination,” Mrs McArthur said.

“Some Ballarat councillors, and local MPs Julianna Addison and Michaela Settle, are on the precipice of handing Ballarat one of its worst cultural and visual legacies.

“Ballarat’s forefathers gifted this city with broad, green boulevards, glorious architecture and even the lake itself. If they proceed with this plan, today’s city leaders will gift future generations an industrialised ruination of one of these legacies.”

Morton Dunn Architects director Alan Morton attended as a local resident, speaking off-the-cuff about the proposal’s design elements.

“We can do much better. It’s significant overkill for what we’ve got in terms of our wonderful environment,” he said.

“I certainly do support lighting around the lake, but the alternatives provided, or even less light poles than they’re suggesting, would be good.

“I’ve raised this with council and have basically been told it’s just going ahead. We’ve got to consider the best way to achieve the result they’re looking for, and unfortunately, it was perhaps briefed badly initially.”

Aware of the rally, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said she was “proud” to stand by the State’s $2.5 million injection, which is supporting the City of Ballarat to realise the lighting.

The State committed this funding at the 2018 election, and it featured in the 2019 budget, following the development of the Lake Wendouree Masterplan in 2017 which identified lighting the track as a priority project.

“Let me be clear, the design, consultation, and delivery of the project is the responsibility of the City of Ballarat. Council has conducted extensive research into the impacts… and has undertaken a detailed consultation process,” Ms Addison said.

“Interestingly, this project was supported by Matthew Guy and then mayor Samantha McIntosh at Lake Wendouree in July 2018.

“On 27 October City of Ballarat councillors approved the planning permit application… and I look forward to this important project commencing as soon as possible.

“I always support the right of people to protest and make their voices heard, but I would question the involvement of Liberal politicians from outside of Ballarat suddenly becoming interested in this local issue. Unlike others, we keep our promises, and we get things done.”

Rally attendees were encouraged to sign a petition to stop the current project plans, which will be sent to the Victorian Parliament.