It is not only the major performing arts organisations that need both halls to be refurbished and available, but also schools, the university, community groups, events organisers and commercial organisations. 

The council and state government want to demolish the lower hall to make way for a new government office. They say this will bring life and vitality to the city.  We currently have State Government Offices on the opposite corner. Do we see the people currently working in the Glass House bringing a great deal of vitality to central Ballarat?

The night-time economy is generated by creative, artistic and festive activities. The “new economy” is largely generated by those involved in the “creative industries''. These people are the key driver of city life and the 24/7 economy - not public servants and administrators. It may be a good thing to bring a new government department to Ballarat and build a new office block. But the Civic Hall site is not suitable. The Civic Hall is a cultural facility and is situated in the cultural precinct of Ballarat. It is not a place for offices which are dead and lifeless after 5pm and over the weekends and holiday periods. 

There other several sites in central Ballarat that are far more suitable - and if a new government office was built on one of these sites, would have a far greater catalytic effect on improving a degraded precinct of Ballarat's CBD - and do much more for Ballarat's economy than putting an office on the Civic Hall site.  It may be the case that the Civic Hall will ultimately require other complementary built facilities . If necessary, a new building could wrap around and over the lower hall.  There are many examples around the world where an important and useful older building is incorporated into a larger new building in a functional and exciting way. 

Jonathan Halls, Millbrook

I don't quite understand why there is a continued rollout of negative comments about the proposed development adjoining the rundown goods sheds at Ballarat station. For years, this precinct has looked dreadful. It's run down and unloved, and now that a plan is in place to revive the site, the Liberal Party and mates are against it. Why? I don't remember any of the commentators of the so called "Save Our Station" group ever raising a concern when the precinct looked like a dump.

Now that there is a plan to build a hotel and convention centre on the site, apparently it isn't good enough. Perhaps these so called experts should use their energy to identify heritage areas and buildings around Ballarat in need of government-assisted restoration, instead of finding negatives when something is actually being done. I can speak with a tiny bit authority on this. I purchased a property just near the good sheds two years ago and I admit my decision was influenced by the plans for the precinct. I, for one, am delighted that the government is actually doing something about the site instead of allowing it to crumble away.

Craig Wilson, Beaufort.

Having shopped in local supermarkets lately, I am getting rather frustrated with the lack of service in these places. Having to wait in a queue for ages when there is only one or more registers open, and you look around and some staff members seem to be there, but not interested in serving the public which makes me rather annoyed. These supermarkets advertise what a wonderful experience it is to shop in their store, so how about management make sure they have adequate staff to service the public. At the moment it is dismally lacking.

Geoff Rundell, Ballarat.