This was despite the fact that the plan has a number of significant shortcomings and that consultation with the community on the final plan was restricted.
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Apart from reading the council agenda, the decision would have been unnoticed as there was no publicity given that such an important decision was to be made.
While it is disturbing that consultation was restricted, it was admitted at the meeting that the plan was, in fact, a government plan.
That the budget for it had been spent and consultants signed off, and that the council had no ability to amend it, is of major concern.
In simple terms, the proposal is essentially what the government wants for the site and fails to address many of the concerns raised at the first consultation meetings.
Yes, the site needs upgrading and the council has the precinct in its CBD strategy in a broadbrush form, but the final detail has been done by others without the ability of concerned residents to point out any of the shortfalls of what is now proposed.
It is not too difficult to come to the conclusion that a significant part of the plan is predicated on maximising development opportunities of the site to ensure that parts of the precinct will bring a significant windfall to the government when sold.
Despite words to the contrary in the final report, heritage values will be compromised by the amount of development proposed.
What has not been highlighted is there will be significant shortfalls in available commuter parking for some time and that commuters are likely to ultimately have to pay to park on the site.
Will Ballarat be the first country railway station requiring commuters to pay for parking when they use the train?
If this fact had been known by the public I am sure that many more people would have raised their concern before the plan was adopted.
Nolan Street, which is already used as a rat run by motorists to escape Mair Street traffic, will have a significant increase in traffic by both cars and buses as it is proposed to be the major entry to the site.
The entry will most likely require either traffic lights or a roundabout when a traffic study is undertaken. I am sure nearby residents will be less than pleased at this outcome.
Despite being told that consultation would occur, it is obvious that the parameters for the plan had already been set for the consultants, so what is the point of making submissions if they are not taken into account?
The railway station precinct is special to Ballarat and its development deserves to be part of the aspirations of its citizens not just those determined by the state government.