Lake lights cost increases – City of Ballarat council meeting briefs

DURING their regular meeting on Wednesday, 27 July, a majority of City of Ballarat councillors decided ratepayers will cover extra costs associated with the Lake Wendouree lighting project

An additional $370,000 for the works is needed, raising the estimated cost from $2.2 million to $2.5 million.

Twenty-nine submissions against the price increase, and the 225 light poles along the Steve Moneghetti track and into Victoria Park in general, were brought before council at the meeting.

Cr Peter Eddy supported the motion and blamed the increase on rising material costs incurred during the interim protection order and subsequent heritage permit requirements brought on by those opposed to the lighting project.

“The cost in time is the main reason for the blowout and the main reason we’re here tonight discussing the increase,” he said.

“It’s not to do with the council officers, it’s not to do with this council being responsible.”

Deputy-mayor Cr Amy Johnson opposed the motion, and said the project no longer aligned with the needs of the community.

“It makes me feel really sad that a project that once had enormous community support is now at a stage where thousands of people in our community are fighting against it,” she said.

Originally the full cost of the project was to be covered by the State Government.

The motion passed with three councillors voting against it including Cr Johnson and Cr Mark Harris.

Net zero plan greenlit

The municipality’s net zero emissions draft is available for public feedback after receiving the go-ahead by councillors.

The motion passed unanimously, with the draft out for public consultation four weeks this month.

The document will steer the City’s strategy for net zero emissions by 2030, with a focus on business, homes, new developments, transport and waste.

Cr Belinda Coates supported the motion, and said it was the type project that’s “the reason I stood for council.”

“This is a really great example of multiple benefits for all sectors of community and for the natural environment,” she said.

“Council’s emissions are only one per cent of the entire City’s emissions so to really chip away and make a significant difference we need whole community onboard.”

Youth strategy okayed

The draft youth strategy 2022-2026 was also passed by councillors.

The strategy will seek to inform the City’s events and programs for people aged 12 to 25, and will be open for public exhibition until Monday, 29 August.

Over 1200 survey responses and two workshops went into developing the draft, and Cr Johnson commended the level of community engagement involved.

“There’s no wonder there was such incredible engagement from the young people because it was co-designed by the young people themselves,” she said.

“I think we’ve actually empowered the young people to take this work and think about what they’d like to see in Ballarat.”

Infrastructure plan gets okay

Council adopted the community infrastructure 2022-2037 plan which will outline the development of municipal facilities and sites in the City.

The plan was taken approved following public exhibition in May and June, and Cr Coates said it highlights where best to put municipal resources.

“It’s great to see the work is really well-informed by the evidence and social priorities like where are the highest areas of need and where are the gaps,” she said.

“Community infrastructure’s just so incredibly important. It’s a really good sign of how we care for our community, the sort of community infrastructure we provide.”

Hub moves forward

An update was given on works at the planned Wendouree West Community Hub following the discovery of asbestos at the site in April and subsequent remediation.

The works, carried out by Plan Group has increased the construction cost from nearly $7 million to more than $10 million.

Cr Harris called the required works a “consternation” and said the project had been “collared by increasing delays.”

Cr Eddy said the cost overrun is essential for community safety.

“It needs to be fixed up, it needs to be ensured that it’s a safe environment particularly in that area of Ballarat for the future,” he said.

“We should all recognise that it’s one of the costs of cleaning up practices of bygone eras that didn’t realise the risks. I think this is a very responsible way to go.”