SATURDAY\u2019S rain didn\u2019t dampen the enthusiasm or slowdown the suggestions of the Ballarat North residents at the launch of the council\u2019s Emerging Communities program.<\/p>\n
The city was asking the community, what do you think would make Ballarat North a better place to live?<\/p>\n
On the table is an initial $100,000 funding to help make the answers a reality.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Davis, President of Committee for Ballarat North said the overwhelming response was for landscaping, green space, trees and dog parks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the suggestions we\u2019ve heard constantly over the past six months,\u201d she said. \u201cThe plans the committee have created cover all these ideas, so we are off to a very good head start for this program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jay Morrison, fellow committee member, said the launch drop-in session, was a great opportunity for the community to come together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council have been very supportive and now the residents can have their ideas heard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The session was designed for the council to gather the suggestions for analysis and for prioritising.<\/p>\n
Ian Cunningham, President of the Ballarat North Senior Citizens Club said the area around the Community Centre and Midlands Recreational Reserve was not engaging enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we need more seating and more shade to regenerate the area,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve put a lot of stick notes on the map today and noticed a lot of others with the same ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the information is collated it would be circulated back to the Ballarat North community for comment and approval.<\/p>\n
Ms Davis said the Emerging Communities program will benefit both the residents and the businesses in the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpgrading the area will bring more customers,\u201d she said. \u201cI see kids at the water park head over to the service station for an ice cream.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who come to the Golf House pub or lunch or dinner, could take a stroll around the walking paths.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur committee\u2019s concept is based around a budget of $100,000 so we see it as very achievable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage the Ballarat North community to step up and support the program.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SATURDAY\u2019S rain didn\u2019t dampen the enthusiasm or slowdown the suggestions of the Ballarat North residents at the launch of the council\u2019s Emerging Communities program. The city was asking the community, what do you think would make Ballarat North a better place to live? On the table is an initial $100,000 funding to help make the […]<\/p>\n