Residents remain hopeful the yet-to-be tendered Little Bridge Street pocket park will revitalise the troubled precinct by discouraging anti-social behaviour.
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The project, jointly funded by the state government and council, will change the notorious precinct. The carpark next to the current toilet block will be landscaped, have a public art installation, improved lighting, better CCTV cameras and safety and amenity improvements.
Some residents say the project is long overdue. Karhl Earnshaw said the project would rejuvenate the area, but believes regular security and police patrols is the only way to stop anti-social behaviour in the troubled precinct.
“I know people who do not shop there anymore, they now shop elsewhere, because they feel unsafe,” Mr Earnshaw said.
He said greater enforcement and patrols from police and council staff was needed to change the culture in the area, and ensure it becomes family friendly.
“If that is not change, what will a pocket park do?” Mr Earnshaw said.
Ballarat resident Greg Honeyman, who claims he was the victim of a random attack in the area, says something needs to be done to ensure the shopping precinct is family friendly. Mr Honeyman said a man threw a flag that hit wife’s head, leading to a frightening encounter.
“I asked him what he was doing and he launched at me,” Mr Honeyman said. He said the “aggressive” man held him to the ground during the “terrifying ordeal”.
Police have committed significant resources to the Bridge Mall and surrounding areas in the lead-up to Christmas, enforcing foot and bike patrols. Bridge Mall centre manager John Marios said the police presence had reduced the number of people hanging around and disturbing shoppers.
“In the lead up to Christmas, the Ballarat Police Station have been, and will continue to provide an increased presence in the CBD area with uniform foot patrols,” Senior Sergeant Neale Robinson said recently.
“These patrols will target community safety issues in and around the Bridge Mall, Bakery Hill, Little Bridge Street and Central Square vicinities. The foot patrols will work in conjunction with our Bike Patrols in providing a greater visible police presence in the CBD and a greater ability to more proactively engage with members of our community.” Senior Sergeant Robinson said police had successfully arrested a number of offenders.