Push for underground power on Ballan's Inglis Street

Council’s 2016-17 budget has allocated more than $700,000 for footpath renewal and kerb and channel replacement along the section, with a community consultation session on Tuesday, August 23 to help form a master plan for the roll-out of works next year.

Moorabool Shire Council infrastructure general manager Phil Jeffrey confirmed contact had been made with Regional Development Victoria to assist with the project.

“Council has had preliminary discussions with RDV in relation to possible funding for a streetscape project and we will explore opportunities for project funding, including underground power, depending on what feedback is received at community consultation sessions,” Mr Jeffrey said.

Deputy mayor Paul Tatchell said the estimated cost of installing underground power would be more than $1 million, with the project to significantly improve the aesthetics of the street due to the removal of traditional power poles.

“It would be really good to get the government to come through with the underground power,” Cr Tatchell said.

“You would get more beautification, better parking and the shops would get better signage.”

Cr Tatchell said potential works on underground power would be cost effective if done at the same time as the $420,000 footpath renewal. 

Ballan Newsagency owner Ian Ireland said Inglis Street was well overdue for an upgrade, saying sections of paving “borders on dangerous”.

“I look at the paving every day out the front and it’s pretty ordinary,” he said.

“It borders on dangerous for people walking.”

Mr Ireland said the street’s trees had been “brutalised” to keep away from the power lines, turning what was once an iconic stretch into a “plain street”.

The consultation session will run on Tuesday, August 23 at 15 Stead Street from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.