News Alert |

The Ballarat community is invited to have its say on the Draft Bakery Hill and Bridge Mall Precinct Urban Renewal Plan.    The draft urban renewal plan, which has been prepared following two previous rounds of community consultation, is the first step in an ongoing process of urban renewal to restore the Bakery Hill precinct to its role as a thriving economic heart and gateway to Ballarat.    The City of Ballarat’s significant investment in the Bridge Mall, one of the key projects outlined in the City of Ballarat’s 2019–20 Budget, follows strong community feedback calling for major investment and change in the precinct.    The draft plan sets out a vision for the precinct through three integrating themes which include a precinct which is connected to people, place and local destinations, a thriving economy supporting an engaged and resilient community, and a place with a distinctive identity and story to tell.    It seeks to address a decline in economic activity, and a shared concern amongst the broader community that the Bridge Mall has lost focus and its important economic vibrancy.    For the past few months, the City of Ballarat’s Strategic Planning team has been working with the community to develop the scope and design of the spaces, including mapping out the detail of how the mall will open to vehicles and pedestrians, improve safety, encourage the use of upper floor building levels, and celebrate the precinct’s indigenous and gold rush history.    The plan has now been published and the community is encouraged to provide their feedback. 

What have you heard so far? 

The project has so far revealed there is a strong appetite for change within the precinct and that business as usual is not an option.     Some other points raised through previous rounds of consultation include: 

Bridge Mall needs to prioritise pedestrian and cycle movement, and enhance access to public transport  Increase open space, including the provision of play spaces Bridge Mall needs more eating and dining areas to encourage foot traffic and to create a night-time economy  There needs to be better weather protection to encourage more people to use the CBD during the winter and summer months  The pedestrian connections north-south need to be enhanced  Safety in the area needs to be improved  The variety of shops needs to be increased  The large car parking areas within the CBD need to be redesigned  The Little Bridge Street bus interchange needs to be redesigned or even relocated  The precinct suffers from a physical disconnection to the CBD – this includes a lack of signage and wayfinding from key points within Ballarat, such as from Lydiard Street and the Railway Station  Local history and historical buildings are highly valued and celebrated assets within the community  The many advantages and disadvantages of opening Bridge Mall to traffic are widely acknowledged, with the community having different ideas on the issue. 

  How can I have my say?    The draft plan can be found online at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au or in hard copy at our consultation hub at 16 Bridge Mall.     We want to hear from you about:    • Whether the draft plan covers what you imagine for the future?  

• Whether you agree with the vision statement?  

• Whether you have any additional ideas on how the precinct could be revitalised? 

• What are your priorities in the design of a future streetscape for the Bridge Mall?     For our consultation opening times at 16 Bridge Mall, please refer to mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au    Anyone interested is also welcome to join the Strategic Planning team at the Bridge Mall Farmers’ Market for a fun and interactive consultation process on Saturday 7 September between 9am and 1pm. Find the team at 16 Bridge Mall. Or send your written submissions to strategicplanningsubmissions [at] ballarat.vic.gov.au or via mail to: Strategic Planning, City of Ballarat PO Box 655, Ballarat VIC 3353