Hundreds of Ballarat residents have already signed a petition urging the council to put the popular project back on the agenda after it was left out of the council’s draft budget despite being well received by the wider public.

One of the athletes behind the petition is runner of 40 years, Gary Blood, who said many Steve Moneghetti Track users were frustrated after the project was dumped from the City of Ballarat’s draft budget earlier this year.

Mr Blood said many of the lake's users were angry after council included other Lake Wendouree projects like the $1.4 million allocation to remodel the Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ neglected fernery.  

“We believe the lake's path is used more than any of these projects,” he said.

“Everyone thought when the trial lights went in they must have been planning something … the lights were in for 12 months, and then, nothing.

“Lots of people had said the overhead lights were the best and would love to see them.” Concerned about the safety of the users of the path around Lake Wendouree, Mr Blood said it was hoped the petition would help encourage council to apply for state government funding for the lighting which he said had already proved successful in Mount Gambier.

“The lake, you can see in summer would get over a 1000 people using it a day, come winter and the sun doesn't come up before 7am and is well and truly set before 6.30pm, there is no opportunity to use it,” he said.

“The lake becomes dormant.”

Mr Blood said another reason to push for the lighting had been the safety concern felt by women.

“If they're in a well-lit utilised area they will feel safer than running on roads,” he said. Anyone wishing to sign the petition will find a copy at Perfit Ballarat, Athlete's Foot, Gove Cycles and Bike Rack Cafe and Wash and dry on Kline Laundromat.