THE developer responsible for building Ballarat’s new saleyards at Miners Rest might have met its latest deadline in regard to the planning application, but it won’t immediately resolve the issues that both residents and stock agents have regarding the proposed facility.
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In fact, until the details of the planning application are released to the public, it’s not possible to assess any of the potential issues which the facility may present. This includes environmental impacts, odour and noise concerns or traffic management.
The general public also won’t be aware of how many stalls and ramps will be available for livestock.
The future of livestock selling in Ballarat has effectively been under consideration since 2006, when a plan to move the facility to Learmonth fell through, and there has been little progression since.
Successive Ballarat councils have been unable to produce a result which both ensures the long-term viability of livestock selling and alleviates community concerns.
This planning application is clearly the golden opportunity to do both.
However, the lack of detail which has surrounded the proposal to this point means that the planning process is likely to be arduous.
Councillors have even floated the prospect of a state government-appointed panel in place to consider submissions on the proposal. This process would improve on transparency, but would also add to the timeframe.
The end result which is ultimately in Ballarat’s best interests is to have a new saleyard.
The existing site is beyond its use-by date and presents challenges in regard to its position and upkeep.
For a city which is a hub of the farming sector, Ballarat needs and wants a flourishing saleyards environment.
However, how that need is balanced with the impact on the broader community is still up for debate.
It is in the interest of all parties that information about how this can be achieved – and how it might look – is available as soon as possible and stands up to the scrutiny it undoubtedly deserves.
