Wednesday night’s resolution to suspend the planning process to demolish the existing hall was expected to be supported on the basis that it is a rational course of action in changed circumstances.

The announcement late in March that a re-elected Coalition Government would relocate VicRoads’ state headquarters from Melbourne to Ballarat in a new building on the Civic Hall site has changed the focus of discussion.

For reasons not fully understood, Ballarat City Council believes the election promise means it cannot continue with the current policy.

It was Cr Amy Johnson who attempted to add reason to the council’s change of tack, telling Wednesday night’s meeting: “... the key question for me is why would council determine on the current demolition application, creating significant community conflict in the process, prior to even considering the opportunity to explore different development outcomes together with the VicRoads relocation opportunity.”

The criticism the council now faces is that it is making local decisions based upon state political priorities.

Priorities that, at this stage, have been explained by only one of the two major political forces.

The potential relocation of VicRoads is an investment in short-term job creation, with an eye to longer-term sustainability. The potential location adjacent to Civic Hall has the ability to create substantial activity in the central business area – a key driver in community positivity about where we live.

So therefore,  it is possible that in some respects, both sides of the argument are valid. There is little point continuing a demolition application if other future options may exist and yes, it’s fair to question the influence other levels of government have on local decision-making.

Most of all, it shows the council can rarely win a discussion about its role in the future of Civic Hall. And when you can’t please everyone, it’s just best to make a decision which is of most benefit to our city as a whole.