Miners Rest residents will have their say on the town’s future during a public consultation period for Ballarat City Council’s long-term strategy for the town.
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Initial surveys of residents showed they favoured growth, but not at the expense of its rural amenity and livability.
A report that detailed community responses was released online at council’s website.
It said residents wanted Miners Rest to be a compact town separate from Ballarat, but with good access to the city.
Ample commercial uses and a well designed, tree-lined streetscape that maintained the town’s character in a broad and open rural landscape was also listed as important.
Ballarat City North Ward councillor Grant Tillett said there was a general feeling the community wanted to maintain larger blocks if more housing was developed.
“There is very little land left for urban development in Miners Rest as it is today,” he said.
“So that means there has to be an expansion in the area of the general vicinity of the quarry – it is highly suitable for residential because it is completely flood free.
“There is a massive development proposed for the Wyndholm Park Estate, and the next question is where else?”
Exploring opportunities for the town’s growth was listed as a key objective of the draft plan.
The plan said new community and recreation centres would be important including; school relocation, new fire station, connected bike trails, multi-use centre, support for infrastructure at Ballarat Turf Club, rehabilitation of the old quarry site and new medical and care businesses.
Community consultation for the report was completed in March and April, and more feedback will be sought following its release.
This will form the basis for a draft Miners Rest township plan, which will undergo further community consultation before it is adopted.
Cr Tillett said it had been a long time since the town had a formal plan for its future.
“The problem with Miners Rest is for the last 20 years there has been no formal plan setting the horizon,” he said.
“It has always been the greenest, leafiest suburb of all of them and it should remain that.
“It should never be allowed to become a high pressure suburb, it has to be laid back, that is its place.”
