News Alert |

The Ballarat community is invited to tell us their thoughts on a draft plan to incorporate more local Indigenous stories into the North Gardens.

The City of Ballarat is currently developing a Landscape Design Plan for the North Gardens Indigenous Sculpture Park which will open for community feedback this Thursday.

The draft design has been developed by a landscape design consultant group including Wurundjeri-willam (Wurundjeri-baluk patriline) artist and Traditional Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds, Mandy Nicholson and Professor David Jones from Deakin University.

This project forms part of the Lake Wendouree Master Plan, a 20-year strategic plan for the future of Lake Wendouree which supports the activation of the precinct as an inclusive centre of community life, while protecting its character, views, trees and environmental functions.

It also aligns with the Creative City Strategy and accompanying precinct plan which set a vision for a stronger focus during project planning phases around telling local stories.

Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh said contributions from the community play an important part in the strategic planning process, while undoubtably contributing to establishing a prosperous Ballarat.

“We already know the Lake Wendouree precinct, including the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, is significantly important to the people of Ballarat”, she said.

“That's why we want to hear from the community about their thoughts on this project and to ensure we've got the draft right.”

The first draft Landscape Design Plan will be available to read and review from 9am Thursday 31 January 2019 from mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au

Consultation will close 28 February 2019.