City of Ballarat council briefs: Bridge Mall open to traffic?

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.
The project will include the re-opening of Bridge Mall to cars and pedestrians.
The proposal is based on strong community feedback requesting a major investment in the precinct, following a gradual decline in commercial and retail activity.
Cr Coates said, “The community has spoken and the council has heard what they said.”
Cr Grant Tillett added, “The genie is out of the bottle,” and called for a competition to be held asking architects to come up with a beautiful entry to the city.
“Nothing will stop the opening up of the mall,” he said.
The funding would be spread over the three financial years, starting in 2019/20.
The exact scope and design of the spaces has not yet been decided and would be developed in partnership with the community consultations.

Big tick for Creative City Strategy

THERE was spontaneous applause from the public gallery when councillors unanimously approved the adoption of Ballarat’s Creative City Strategy and Ballarat’s Creative City Strategy Precinct Master Plan at the last City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, 15 May.

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.

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.

In favour of the motion, Cr Mark Harris said an artistic scene is something this city has always had.

“I 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,” he said.

Also in favour, Cr Belinda Coates said, “We can’t forget how important fun is, the range of creativity in Ballarat is truly mind boggling.”

Royal South Street Strategic Partnership sealed

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.
Event organisers requested funding to lift audience attendance which has dropped since the closure of Her Majesty’s Theatre last year for major construction works.
The 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.
In moving the mothing motion Cr Daniel Molony said, “A small investment in a four-year partnership is a great deal for the council.”
In support of motion Cr Amy Johnson said, “I 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.”

Wendouree Parade gets up

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.
The developers sought approval for the changes made to the original planning permit so VCAT can approve the permit.
Cr Harris, in favour of the motion, said he doesn’t want to spend Council’s time and money to go through all this again.
Motion seconder, Councillor Des Hudson said, “We need to define the neighbourhood character across all of Ballarat.”

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.
“I find it curious it has to come back to us, we should oppose this and not let VCAT off the hook,” he said. “It will then be our decision.”
Cr Moloney said council needed to address the density problems of the city.
“In 20 years time we will wonder why we sprawled to the north and east and yet didn’t build up the density of the centre in line with neighbourhood character,” he said.
The motion to approve the changes to the planning permit was carried.

$10,000 for elite sports

ELITE sports organisation, West Vic Academy of Sport, received $10,000 under the Strategic Partnership Grant Program for a one-year.
Both Cr Johnson, who moved the motion, and seconder Cr Hudson, spoke highly of the unique services offered by the Academy, which would not otherwise be available for athletes in western Victoria
Speaking against, Cr Harris said he was not in favour of supporting elite sports because council should be assisting grass roots sports.

Two hospitality venues get go ahead

SEPARATE planning permits for a tavern at 307-309 Mair Street and a licensed restaurant at 28 Main Road were approved unanimously by council.
Both applications were seen as having a positive impact for new food and drink experiences in the Ballarat CBD.