COUNCIL voted unanimously in support of a proposal to allocate $15 million towards stage one of the Bakery Hill and Bridge Mall precinct works with the intention of opening it up Bakery Hill as an entry boulevard from Melbourne and the east of the city.
\nThe project will include the re-opening of Bridge Mall to cars and pedestrians.
\nThe proposal is based on strong community feedback requesting a major investment in the precinct, following a gradual decline in commercial and retail activity.
\nCr Coates said, \u201cThe community has spoken and the council has heard what they said.\u201d
\nCr Grant Tillett added, \u201cThe genie is out of the bottle,\u201d and called for a competition to be held asking architects to come up with a beautiful entry to the city.
\n\u201cNothing will stop the opening up of the mall,\u201d he said.
\nThe funding would be spread over the three financial years, starting in 2019\/20.
\nThe exact scope and design of the spaces has not yet been decided and would be developed in partnership with the community consultations.<\/p>\n
Big tick for Creative City Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n THERE was spontaneous applause from the public gallery when councillors unanimously approved the adoption of Ballarat\u2019s Creative City Strategy and Ballarat\u2019s Creative City Strategy Precinct Master Plan at the last City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, 15 May.<\/p>\n The Creative City Strategy was formulated and created from comprehensive research and extensive community engagement with the Precinct Master Plan designed to support it and guide the future development of the CBD area.<\/p>\n The implementation of the creative strategy and the precinct master plan will increase creative participation, attract and support creative talent and develop a world class creative industry and precinct.<\/p>\n In favour of the motion, Cr Mark Harris said an artistic scene is something this city has always had.<\/p>\n \u201cI am excited about this plan, we will look back on this and be proud of it and the community who told us what they wanted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Also in favour, Cr Belinda Coates said, \u201cWe can\u2019t forget how important fun is, the range of creativity in Ballarat is truly mind boggling.\u201d<\/p>\n Royal South Street Strategic Partnership sealed<\/strong><\/p>\n THE Royal South Street Eisteddfod will receive $240,000 from council over the next four years by way of a Strategic Partnership Grant commencing in July. Wendouree Parade gets up<\/strong><\/p>\n A PLANNING permit for a residential development on the Wendouree Parade, which was not approved when it first fronted council in January 2015, sparked considerable debate amongst councillors. Cr Tillett said he was in the council chambers in 2015 when planning permit was not supported by a lot of people, in particular a lot of neighbours.
\nEvent organisers requested funding to lift\u00a0audience attendance which has dropped since the closure of Her Majesty\u2019s Theatre last year for major construction works.
\nThe eisteddfod is a significant and major cultural tourism attraction for Ballarat, with over 11,000 performers and around 34,000 in audience attendance contributing over $5.5 million annually to the city.
\nIn moving the mothing motion Cr Daniel Molony said, \u201cA small investment in a four-year partnership is a great deal for the council.\u201d
\nIn support of motion Cr Amy Johnson said, \u201cI grew up singing on the stage, solo and in groups, as part of South Street, it is considered to be one of the most important eisteddfods to perform at.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe developers sought approval for the changes made to the original planning permit so VCAT can approve the permit.
\nCr Harris, in favour of the motion, said he doesn\u2019t want to spend Council\u2019s time and money to go through all this again.
\nMotion seconder, Councillor Des Hudson said, \u201cWe need to define the neighbourhood character across all of Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI find it curious it has to come back to us, we should oppose this and not let VCAT off the hook,\u201d he said. \u201cIt will then be our decision.\u201d
\nCr Moloney said council needed to address the density problems of the city.
\n\u201cIn 20 years time we will wonder why we sprawled to the north and east and yet didn\u2019t build up the density of the centre in line with neighbourhood character,\u201d he said.
\nThe motion to approve the changes to the planning permit was carried.<\/p>\n