AN investigation of ways the City of Ballarat can help tackle hoon driving will proceed after a vote at the recent council meeting.<\/p>\n
Wendouree ward councillor Jay Morrison tabled a notice of motion seeking report on the issue. The motion was carried after lengthy comments from councillors in support of the move.<\/p>\n
The report will identify and assess actions the City can take within its existing powers and resources to deter and reduce hoon driving.<\/p>\n
It will also present recommendations for councillors to consider.<\/p>\n
Cr Morrison said he was moving the motion \u201cbecause our community is demanding action and frankly, so am I\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHooning in Ballarat is no longer an occasional nuisance,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has become a constant, daily and nightly threat to our residents\u2019 safety, wellbeing and peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Morrison said hooning was not isolated to any one area of the city and had become \u201centrenched\u201d in the municipality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeek after week, residents tell me they\u2019re being woken by engines revving, tyres screeching and vehicles tearing through neighbourhood streets at all hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese noises jolt people awake, disrupt sleep patterns, worsen mental health and heighten stress; parents tell me that their kids are too frightened to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Morrison acknowledged that the City does not have actual enforcement powers but argued it could still influence actions to combat the practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur residents deserve safe streets, peaceful nights and the confidence that their council and their councillors are doing everything in its power to address this issue,\u201d he said. \u201cEnough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sebastopol ward\u2019s Cr Des Hudson seconded the motion and said the City had taken a leading role against hooning in the past, and it was among the main issues raised with him during his time as a police officer.<\/p>\n
Cr Samantha McIntosh (Central ward) also spoke in support, saying that she knew of residents who had sold their CBD properties because of hoons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not okay. So aside (from) the fact that we have…worked hard to develop partnerships with Victoria Police we still need to do more and we need to keep making this issue louder than the ratbags out there on the streets,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Cr Ben Taylor (Buninyong ward) said that while he was supportive of the motion, it was only words.<\/p>\n
Cr Taylor said the issue was really a State Government matter and for police to enforce.<\/p>\n
Cr Damon Saunders (Alfredton ward) said hoon drivers were a long-standing problem.<\/p>\n
Cr Saunders said he had spoken to a senior local police officer before the meeting and understood the police were actively working on plans to fight it.<\/p>\n
Police were supportive of the motion, he said.<\/p>\n
Vandals could pay for damage<\/strong><\/p>\n Brown Hill ward councillor Ted Lapkin successfully moved a notice of motion for a report outlining details of existing security arrangements for City assets and a policy under which restitution could be sought from people found guilty in court of vandalism.<\/p>\n Cr Lapkin said Ballarat\u2019s architectural heritage was a major drawcard but was a target for \u201ca handful of bad actors who revel in destruction rather than construction\u201d.<\/p>\n Statues, the floral clock, the floral pride flag, the begonia sign and more had all been attacked and even new trees had been stolen, he said.<\/p>\n Cr Lapkin said while police possessed enforcement powers, the City should investigate whether it could seek restitution from convicted vandals for the damage they cause because it was ratepayers who ultimately carried the cost of repairs and replacements.<\/p>\n Cr Morrison seconded the motion, saying: \u201cTo see the wanton destruction of community assets leaves me with a very heavy heart.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just really upsetting. We deserve better.\u201d<\/p>\n CEO Evan King told councillors the cost for the Begonia sign repair was $85,000 and for repairs to the Prime Ministers Avenue in the botanic gardens had been more than $100,000.<\/p>\n Mr King said 26 trees were stolen from Humffray Street and had a replacement cost of about $300 a tree.<\/p>\n Ring Road discontinuance formalised<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors voted to proceed with a formal discontinuance of Ring Road at the rail level crossing in Mitchell Park.<\/p>\n The decision ensures the smooth development of the Intermodal Freight Hub at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, preventing long freight trains from blocking traffic and reducing future congestion.<\/p>\n Alternative access is already available via the Ballarat Link Road rail overpass, with the decision following extensive engagement with local businesses since 2022.<\/p>\n The City will now begin the statutory process under the Local Government Act 1989, with physical works (turnaround bays and safety barriers) budgeted for 2026-27.<\/p>\n Cr Saunders queried whether it was necessary, to which Mr King replied that it \u201cabsolutely\u201d was.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done extensive consultation with all of the businesses along Ring Road over multiple occasions and they are all fully aware of the reasoning and the need to do it,\u201d Mr King said.<\/p>\n Cr Taylor said the final closure had taken longer than it probably should have, while Cr Jim Rinaldi (North ward) described it as a matter of progress.<\/p>\n