News Alert |

  Local media are invited to attend this afternoon’s community drop-in session, marking a significant step in the development of the Ballarat East Local Area Plan.  Since 2015, the City of Ballarat has been in conversation with the Ballarat East community about how better to manage change in the area through the development of a local area plan.  Work on this plan has developed with the recent release of the Draft Ballarat East Local Area Plan for community consultation.  As part of this phase of consultation, a 4.5-hour community drop-in session has been organised for Tuesday 27 November to give those who live, work or visit the area to discuss the draft plan with City of Ballarat officers.   The workshop will be held between 2-6.30pm at the Eureka Centre, 102 Stawell Street South.  As part of the drop-in session, the City of Ballarat will announce the Engaging Communities Program will be extended to Ballarat East.  In the past three years, the City of Ballarat has invested significantly in community-led projects in Buninyong, Learmonth and Miners Rest, Sebastopol, Cardigan Village, Brown Hill, Wendouree, Lucas and Mount Pleasant through the Engaging Communities Program, designed to strengthen neighbourhood links and build community confidence.  This year the City of Ballarat will extended the program to Ballarat East, with the aim of scoping projects derived from the Local Area Plan.  The philosophy behind this program is speak with locals about what they consider priority projects for the area.  Want to know more about the Engaging Communities Program in Ballarat East or learn how to get involved? Residents are invited to contact the City of Ballarat’s Engaged Communties team at 5320 5746.  Community consultation will remain open on the Draft Ballarat East Local Area Plan until Monday 4 February.  Feedback gathered over the coming months will assist the City of Ballarat understand the diversity of ideas and to develop a community-led vision for Ballarat East.    This vision will capitalise on opportunities to support growth and enhance liveability in Ballarat’s east while retaining the key elements that are highly valued by the community:  

  Conserve and enhance our rich natural environment, ecological diversity, skyline views, green streetscapes and open spaces   Conserve and enhance our distinct neighbourhood character and tell our stories more to celebrate the connections to our past     Increase our housing diversity and create liveable neighbourhoods where people of all ages and abilities feel welcome and safe     Create opportunities for all residents to stay connected and enjoy a healthy lifestyle     Support change that maximises what is special about the East and stimulates a prosperous future for all   

An online survey is now available at mysay.ballarat.com.au      Community members can also contribute to the survey in person at The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South or by mail addressed to City of Ballarat Strategic Planning – Imagine Ballarat East PO Box 655 Ballarat, Victoria, Australia 3350     City of Ballarat Manager Strategic Planning Lisa Kendal will be available to speak with media between 2-2.30pm.