Ballarat Exhibition Centre owners call for unity to enhance local tourism sector

The site is currently for sale, less than three years after David and Bronwyn Sanders invested $3 million into it in the hope they could create one of Ballarat’s biggest tourism boons.

However, Mr Sanders says a lack of support from the City of Ballarat and various tourism agencies have made it difficult to persevere with the venture.

When he first purchased the centre Mr Sanders had Federation University conduct a feasibility study into its potential economic benefit for the city, with results suggesting it could tip $25-$30 million back into Ballarat’s economy on an annual basis, while a similar study conducted for the City of Ballarat suggested it could be even more.

The centre has displayed several celebrated exhibits, including multiple car shows, the last four editions of the Ballarat Antique and Vintage Fair and the coveted Spirit of Anzac display held last year. It will later this month host The Creators Market.

Despite its apparent success, Mr Sanders says he has been “stonewalled” by City of Ballarat staffers who have repeatedly ignored his requests to put up navigational signage across the town.

Emails supplied to The Courier show Mr Sanders has made multiple requests for council’s approval for the placement of signage, which have fallen on deaf ears, while another email chain to City of Ballarat chief executive Justine Linley seeking a meeting to discuss potential support has also gone unanswered.

“We can’t even get a response from council staff about the signage,” Mr Sanders said.

“We’re open to wherever they want (the signs) to go, but we would just like to get our clients to know where we are. There were several small businesses like ourselves that were willing to work together for a better opportunity if the council was on board with us.”

Mr Sanders said the upcoming state government-funded railway precinct development, which will the station’s goods shed into a convention centre, could be reason for council’s lack of interest in response.

However, the goods shed is much smaller than the 5000 square metre exhibition centre and there would likely be less parking options than the 400 spaces at the Dowling Street site.

Ballarat Antique and Vintage Fair organiser John Markworth said there is “nothing like” the exhibition centre in town, and says many events will find it difficult to find substitute venues if it is sold.

Mr Markworth said more than 4000 people attend the antique fair across three days when in Ballarat, with as many as 60 per cent of those tourists.

“Having traveled to Ballarat, they eat, they stay and they spend their money there,” he said.

“The Ballarat Fair has now become the number one event on the antiques calendar in Australia. It would be almost unthinkable for it to leave town.”

A statement from City of Ballarat acting chief executive Neville Ivey said council had advised Mr Sanders that VicRoads was responsible for the approval of signage. However, several emails from Mr Sanders to council were facilitated through VicRoads.

“To the best of our knowledge, the City of Ballarat has always responded to inquiries from the Ballarat Exhibition Centre,” Mr Ivey said.

“Senior council officers have met with the owners of the business on several occasions and we have promoted events at the exhibition centre across our social media.”

Mr Sanders says there needs to be a more holistic approach across the city to take full advantage of tourism options.

“We need to be thinking about how we make a better lifestyle for people here, so people don’t have to go to Melbourne to the theatre, or to a restaurant, or to see a band – (instead) they come to Ballarat,” he said.

The exhibition centre was auctioned in August, but not sold. Mr Sanders is still holding out hope of a meeting with City of Ballarat staff.