CITY of Ballarat will address the future of a contentious roundabout at a meeting on August 3.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The decision to review the construction of a harmony roundabout at the junction of Mair Street and Ripon Street North follows a meeting with about 35 concerned locals on Monday night.
While not opposed to the ‘harmony’ message, many residents disagree with the project on the belief that its physical elements don’t tie-in with the heritage overlay area. They have also questioned why it was determined that the roundabout would be placed on that particular intersection and have concerns over visibility for drivers.
However, in a response to The Courier earlier in the month, council said the roundabout meets visibility requirements.
City of Ballarat mayor Des Hudson, Cr Sam McIntosh and city services general manager Terry Demeo were present at the Monday meeting.
Local Nicole Sutton, who also attended, said the ideal outcome would have been for council to agree to remove the project from the site and employ it elsewhere, but was happy that the matter would be addressed in an assembly.
“There was a great support for it being moved,” Ms Sutton said.
“We wrapped up the meeting by saying ‘what now?’.”
Ms Sutton has started a petition on www.change.org to have the roundabout moved.
The petition had received 173 of the 200 desired signatures at the time of print.
In a written response to The Courier on Tuesday, council confirmed there had been no consultation process with residents prior to construction.
The response also confirmed the design was not an official arts project managed by council’s art department and was not required to undergo a Public Art Committee review.
Cr Hudson said in “hindsight”, it could have been appropriate to consult with the community.
“I think in terms of their concerns they have raised, we’re happy to take them on board,” he said.
“Whether we agree or disagree with them is neither here nor there.
“It was an operational decision in terms of addressing a roundabout made of concrete. It’s normally a piece of boring infrastructure that serves as a safety measure.”
Cr Hudson cited the construction of an indigenous-themed roundabout at the junction of Armstrong Street North and Market Street as an example of a project that had been well received.
“Based on how successful the implementation of that one was (there was no consultation),” Cr Hudson said.
“Where we go from here will be up the councillors,” he said.