Civic Hall plans put on hold

By Fiona Henderson
Updated November 2 2012 - 6:24pm, first published November 23 2011 - 1:20pm
Civic Hall plans put on hold
Civic Hall plans put on hold

A DECISION on the $40 million Civic Hall redevelopment has been postponed until at least February.And any design work on the proposed $28 million council offices has been put off until next June, saving ratepayers at least $1 million.Instead, an independent community survey will take place to gauge public feedback.The survey was put forward at last night’s Ballarat City Council meeting by Councillor Ben Taylor, who said the council must not rush its Civic Hall decision.“We can do it (the survey) now, we’ve still got time,” Cr Taylor said.“There’s a lot of noise in the community and it’s very hard to determine what and where that noise is coming from.”Cr Taylor said the survey should be based on three key areas: support for the Civic Hall’s retention, support for its removal and an alternative development proposal.“They need to be independent questions so there is not an outcome that is skewed one way or the other.”While the survey is predicted to cost between $60,000 and $100,000 (depending on the company used) Cr Taylor said it would still only be a bit over 0.2 per cent of the whole $40 million project.Supporting the survey, Councillor Noel Perry also moved that all Lyons Architects’ site design work be suspended until June next year, saving $1 million in payments.He said it was an “unfortunate course of action” that a survey hadn’t been done earlier in the three years of Civic Hall planning.Councillor Des Hudson said postponing a decision and carrying out the survey was a gesture of good faith to the community.“I’m not so arrogant that I think I can make my mind up for the community,” Cr Hudson said. Councillor Judy Verlin said there was a misconception in the community that council had already made up its mind.“There are a range of views out there, some are more vocal than others,” Cr Verlin said. “This is a genuine opportunity to gain feedback.”Councillor Samantha McIntosh said an independent survey would be “valid and valuable” and gather objective community information.Councillor Cheryl Bromfield said council was potentially changing the course of history so it was vital to have the best information possible, while Councillor John Philips urged that the survey be “larger rather than smaller”.A planning permit application to demolish the Civic Hall and build new council offices and a car park has been lodged, with submissions open until next Monday. A decision is expected early next month.

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