We’re still waiting on answers over such long-standing issues as the future of the Civic Hall ... that debate could still be raging this time next decade.

There has been an extremely long pregnant pause over the future of the Ballarat saleyards.

And it has taken a lot of time and money to make decisions over the Black Hill lookout.

Added to the mix of ratepayer frustration with our council are calls from community leaders for the City of Ballarat’s top job to be publicly advertised as the end of the current contract draws closer.

In July last year, Anthony Schinck, who held the position of chief executive officer for five years, was reappointed for another two-year term beginning in January.

The council did not advertise the position at the end of his last contract and The Courier revealed at the time that it planned to choose a new CEO when he departed in January 2016.

However, Ballarat mayor John Philips said this week councillors had not yet decided on the fate of Mr Schinck’s contract and flagged the possibility it could be extended, if he had the support of councillors.

This seemingly indecisiveness by the City of Ballarat has left many ratepayers frustrated and calling for answers about many issues. 

And now they’re being forced to wait longer to see how the City of Ballarat fared in the Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey issued by the state government in July. This is despite assurances the annual survey, which examines Victorian councils on their overall performance, customer service and advocacy, would be released in early August.

Ratepayers in other neighbouring municipalities like Golden Plans, Hepburn and Moorabool shires know how their respective municipalities were rated. Why can’t the good people of Ballarat be treated with the same respect?

The question flagged by The Courier a few weeks ago as to why Ballarat’s survey results had not been released, needs to be asked again.

And, an inference by this paper that the Ballarat survey results were less than satisfactory has to be again raised.

Suggestions City of Ballarat councillors have not viewed the document due to “crowded agendas” may be more than just a bit plausible. So, let’s hope the agenda for the October 8 gathering of councillors is a little less crowded.