Work begins on lake lighting

STATE and local politicians have celebrated the start of construction on the troubled Lake Wendouree lighting project.

A statement issued by the City of Ballarat said work began on installing the 225 lamp posts and associated infrastructure around Steve Moneghetti Track last week.

Costing $3.17 million, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney welcomed the milestone.

“We are thrilled to be getting on with the delivery of lighting the lake so that residents will be able to make use of our most popular recreational location for a few extra hours each day,” he said.

“Lake lighting was identified as the number one priority in the City of Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree Master Plan in 2017 following extensive community and local resident engagement.

“The project will create a safer and more accessible environment for our community who use the lake for health and recreation, particularly in the early mornings, evenings, and during the winter months.”

Subject of duelling pledges by both sides of politics at the 2018 State election, the lake lighting project has had a bumpy ride to this point.

It’s been the subject of heritage orders and a subsequent heritage overlay by a state authority, as well as notable community opposition from some groups.

With the bulk of the funding for the works coming via $2.5 million State Government grant, Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the lights would be positive for a range of people.

“I welcome the start of works for this important community project that will deliver benefits for our rowers, our runners, and our recreational users,” she said.

“Lake lighting will benefit the Loreto rowers carrying their boats across to the Lake before dawn and people wanting to get some exercise after work on dark winter evenings when the sun sets at 5.30pm.

“These lighting and safety upgrades around the Steve Moneghetti track will encourage more people to get active and enjoy beautiful Lake Wendouree, all year round.”

As part of the works, seven lights will also be installed along Morrison Street to link Lake Wendouree with Victoria Park.

Those additional works began in September and included the removal of non-native trees.

As for the trees around the lake, a statement from the City of Ballarat said cables would be laid by boring small tunnels one meter deep to connect the light poles.

“The works will be guided by a project arborist and will comply with tree protection zones and structural root zones, in accordance with the Australian Standard 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites,” the statement said.

Construction is expected to be complete by mid-next year and works will be timed to avoid major events.