Planning to meet the city’s growth needs will be the biggest challenge facing the incoming Ballarat City Council, according to the five retiring councillors.
The Civic Hall site, waste solutions and working as a cohesive team under legislative frameworks were also highlighted as issues for the nine councillors to be chosen at the weekend’s elections.
Outgoing councillors Craig Fletcher, Noel Perry, Judy Verlin, Ben Taylor and Cheryl Bromfield were asked about the biggest challenge for the new council, and about their personal legacy.
Cr Fletcher said growth and employment would be vital.
“I’m particularly proud we’ve been able to improve governance and transparency in the operations of the council,” Cr Fletcher said.
Cr Perry said the challenge was to ensure the Ballarat West Employment Zone was a success.
“We also need waste energy solutions and a decision on the Civic Hall. It cannot remain a stagnant site,” Cr Perry said.
Cr Taylor said the Civic Hall and waste management were two of the biggest issues ahead.
He said his personal legacy was the city’s growth from a planning point of view and the $7.1 million of funding to improve Geelong Road.
Cr Verlin said the new council needed to be a cohesive group able to work under legislative frameworks, including knowing meeting procedures, local laws and governance issues.
“They need to be fully informed. It’s easy to have a position but you have to work in the statutory framework,” Cr Verlin said.
Cr Verlin said her legacy would be the strategic planning put in place to meet population growth.
“We’ve really set the strategic direction for the city for the next 20 years.”
Cr Bromfield said the Ballarat Saleyards and the Civic Hall needed to be resolved.
She said the recently launched Charter for the Prevention of Violence against Women was her personal legacy.
“It can change a culture and it can save lives.”
fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au