Business owners deserve their say
Regional and suburban businesses should be very concerned about the Victorian Government’s proposed changes to their voting rights in council elections.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Some of the changes, if enacted, will restrict votes for business owners and operators and hamper their ability to vote for representatives in the local councils in which their livelihood depends on.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes that if you pay rates to have your place of business in a municipality you are entitled to have your say. The Local Government Act has not been reviewed for more than 25 years and we welcome the opportunity to build stronger communities across the state.
Business is a key part of local communities in regional and suburban Victoria, and it deserves to retain its voting entitlements in council elections. We will be strongly advocating on behalf of our members to ensure their rights remain unchanged. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.
Mark Stone AM, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive
One lake flourishes, while another declines
I had to laugh regarding beach for lake Wendouree. Why don't council spend the cash making Burrumbeet usable. Those were the days; family fun, skiing, swimming, bbqs with the family, catching up with friends and all not far from home. I would rather my rates were going to something more useful.
Arena McLaren, Ballarat
Uptake demands more expansion
It is great to see the Wendouree railway station being used by large numbers of commuters. In the years from 2010 to 2014, the Wendouree railway station was changed from a part-time, partially-staffed railway station, to a fully functioning station servicing the people of Ballarat West.
As a result of these changes, more and more people are using the facilities, however, the increased patronage has brought problems.
The parking area is now inadequate. Some extra parking places have been provided on the roadway leading from the station to Gillies Street, but these are still not sufficient. I understand there was extra land set aside to the west of the current car park, behind the water commission building. As the car park is often full by 8 am, it is time this land is developed into more car parking; either by asphalting as a permanent solution or by levelling, compacting and spreading of blue metal.
The design of the Wendouree station is not really appropriate for the Ballarat climate. The very high, very small verandas on the north-facing platform are a problem; both summer and winter. The waiting area/ticket office is very cosy but very small. I wonder if the architects ever visited the site on a brisk Ballarat winter's morning before they designed the station? The building is a major design problem, not easily remedied, but the car park is a much easier problem to solve.
So to the train service. Most trains now go to Wendouree. Why not 100%? A gap on Saturday from 11.32am until 16.55pm means no trains leaving from Wendouree. The popular 9.14am service from Wendouree to Southern Cross consists of three carriages but after picking up passengers at Wendouree and Ballarat the train is often full.
People getting on at Ballan, Bacchus Marsh and Melton have to stand. This should be a six carriage service. The new timetable provides for a later service at 22.25pm, Monday to Thursday. The service would be greatly improved if this service left at 23.25pm each day.
Joyce Currie, Wendouree