Ratepayers group ready to raise ranks

THE Ballarat Residents and Ratepayers Association is putting the call out for more people to help fill their numbers.

The group formed in late 2019, and vice-president Brian Shanahan said they have been “getting the structure together” over the last two years.

“The COVID restrictions meant we couldn’t meet easily, of course. We had some zoom meetings but they weren’t the same as in-person,” he said.

“So, what we hope to do now is open ourselves up to more members, now that things have eased and we’ve established ourselves as a formal organisation.

“I think a resident’s association is a useful group, it’s needed. Local government has a lot of influence on our lives, and we need to come together to see what is needed for the city.”

The group currently has more than 30 members, and will meet regularly to discuss local matters and advocate on behalf of the community.

With a series of developments on the way for Ballarat, the association aims to provide a point of consultation between the City and the community in a “non-adversarial” way.

Mr Shanahan said he’d like to see the group reach about 100 members, and that with the region continuing to expand, it’s important now more than ever.

“There’s about 120,000 people in Ballarat. Its future is very bright in development, so there’s a lot of things that are going to be happening,” he said.

“I think it’s in everybody’s interest to have a resident’s association. It’s just important that residents have an avenue to council to put forward things for them in the local neighbourhood.

“We’re wanting to do that, but we need some more members to give us some substance.”

Memberships will cost $25 a year, and people can apply via brra.asn.au/membership.