City of Ballarat has vowed to move its controversial harmony roundabout, fearing conflicting opinions over its current location have undermined the key harmony message.
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Mayor Des Hudson confirmed a decision had been by City of Ballarat staff members a council assembly last Wednesday to relocate the project.
The roundabout will be removed from its Mair-Ripon streets location by mid-October.
Cr Hudson said a range of factors had been taken into consideration regarding the decision, including the area’s heritage overlay and potential visibility issues for motorists.
“We certainly understand there was broad community support for the message,” he said.
“But there were some issues from some residents within that location.”
“What’s the point of having the roundabout in that area if it’s not harmonising the community?
“Lets put it where it’s not going to cause disharmony in the community.”
While nearby residents did not object to the harmony message, they had been vocal about the need to relocate works, believing the structure – featuring two large ‘harmony’ signs painted in the colours of the rainbow and several spires also tipped in rainbow colours – went against the traditional heritage overlay for the area.
Residents were also angered by the lack of consultation prior to works.
Local Nicole Sutton created a change.org petition titled ‘HARMONY Roundabout Must be Moved’ that received 221 signatures.
Ms Sutton said the decision to move the structure was the right call, but regrets that the topic has caused friction in the Ballarat community.
“It’s an appropriate decision given it sits in area with a heritage overlay, which was always what it (the concern) was about,” she said.
“Unfortunately what has come of this is that it’s created a division in the community and that’s not what was intended. That’s not what we’re about.”
The project received significant support from a majority of the community, with another petition in support of the structure created by Bryce Ives receiving more than 788 signatures.
Mr Ives was contacted for comment on Monday.
Cr Hudson said other locations are being considered in the interim.
“You want it near passing traffic so the message can't be hidden away,” he said.
Michael Pollock
Transport and infrastructure reporter.
Transport and infrastructure reporter.
