In November, Premier Daniel Andrews, then Opposition Leader, promised a $25 million funding injection for the Ballarat Railway Station precinct, including the redevelopment of a derelict goods shed into a state-of-the-art convention centre.

Key stakeholders have voiced a united desire to see a creative arts centre developed inside the precinct, in the heart of Ballarat. 

Earlier this year, it was revealed the shed would be developed into a 3000-square-metre exhibition and convention space along with a new bus terminal, taxi rank, parking and station facilities. 

Stage one of the project involved the refurbishment of the north and south station buildings and adaptive reuse of the goods shed to accommodate an exhibition or performing arts centre with adjoining commercial spaces.

Mr Andrews also announced plans to build a commercial or hotel development in the precinct.

The first portion of the money is expected to released in the state government’s 2015 budget, however an exact amount has not been revealed.

Ballarat developer Darren Fraser has joined the push to revitalise the precinct, being just months away from unveiling his multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the Provincial Hotel directly opposite.

Mr Fraser said a performing arts and entertainment complex was essential for Ballarat and had the potential to breath new life into the arts and music industry in the city. 

“There is a need for a space which can be used for a variety of purposes,” Mr Fraser said.

“At the moment there isn’t really a large concert venue in the heart of the city. Many live bands tend to hold larger events at venues like Kryal Castle. 

“If there was a multi-purpose entertainment complex in the city to cater for this type of entertainment, it would draw people to Ballarat from all over and boost the economy substantially.” 

Mr Fraser said recently converted performing arts venues like The Library at The Dock, situated alongside the Melbourne Docklands, showed how successful creative arts venues could be.

Chris Piper, a spokesman for Mr Andrews, said the state government was moving forward with plans to convert the site into a multi-purpose international convention centre.

“It would be a space that could hold top events from around Victoria and large-scale conventions,” he said.

“A project like this has the potential to bring dollars into Ballarat, with people coming to events in the city and staying overnight or dining at restaurants and cafes.

“It will be a real premier sort of facility, not just for Ballarat but for the entire regional Victoria area.”

Mr Piper said the railway precinct was ideally located, with V-LINE connections for commuters from Melbourne and Adelaide. 

He said the state government had visions of using the site for political, scientific and medical conferences, exhibitions and large community events for Ballarat and regional Victoria. 

A timeline for the project to be completed is still unknown.

Mr Piper said there was a “huge” amount of remedial work that needed to be undertaken on the dilapidated railway.

Ballarat resident Geoff Potts, who was part of a residents’ action group called The Station Foundation which pushed for the revitalisation of the precinct, said the development was long awaited.

Mr Potts said he had visions of the space being used as multi-functioning performing arts space much like CarriageWorks, in Sydney, where high-rating performing art shows are filmed. 

“My personal view is that I would like to see it as a multi-purpose centre dedicated to live performance,” Mr Potts said. 

“We are seeing real growth in the creative industries at the moment and we needed a space which is entirely dedicated to that.” 

City of Ballarat mayor John Philips said further consultation was needed on the development, but the council was “well aware there needs to me more space for conference and exhibitions in the city”.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au