I applaud the State Labor Government's commitment to the development of the Ballarat Railway Station precinct. This investment recognises the precinct as an important transport and heritage site, one that is highly valued by the Ballarat community and continues the good work government has done to improve country rail services.
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However, the current plan for this site is of major concern to me. The primary focus is to include the development of an accommodation and conference venue on a site already dedicated to support public transport users. Over the past five years I have witnessed an enormous increase in the number of people using train services and believe the numbers will continue to rise. Ensuring the continued rise in commuter use is important and ideally a priority for us all. This should not be compromised. With this focus, the plan is not sensitive to the unique character and heritage aspects of the railway precinct. The heritage features are of high value and attempts to preserve them a priority. The preservation of the goods shed in a manner that celebrates its unique value is better served as part of the transport hub rather than a conference centre.
In addition, the plan for an ultra-modern development located in the heart of our heritage precinct should be reconsidered. When the site is not seen first and foremost as a transport hub, it reduces the amenity for public transport users and the immediate community. In this case, there will be a reduction in parking, poor transport connections, massive congestion along Lydiard Street, lack of undercover walkways for commuters, buildings that do not enhance the heritage value of the site, and the special needs of people with a disability are not addressed. The SOS Ballarat plan solves the issues of congestion in Lydiard Street in keeping with the heritage precinct. The extreme weather conditions in Ballarat are addressed by options for undercover walkways, bus shelters and support for people with a disability.
I urge the State Government to reconsider the current plan and focus on a transport hub that will meet the needs of a growing community, and encourage us all to use public transport.
David Dahlenburg, Ballarat