Speaking to The Courier in July, Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said construction of the multi-storey car park near Nolan Street would begin in September, however Heritage Victoria is yet to give the $51 million build the green light. 

Public responses to developer Pellicano’s planning documents closed on July 28, with Heritage Victoria having 60 days to consider the proposal.  

However there is no declared date when Heritage Victoria will deliver its findings as every time it requests additional information from the developer the consideration time pauses.  

As the entire Station Precinct is under a heritage overlay, no works can begin until the heritage approval is granted.  

“The Victorian Government is very keen to get started on transforming the Ballarat Station precinct and will get to work once the Heritage Permit and Planning approvals are in place,” a statement from Wendouree MP Sharon Knight’s office read. 

The planning proposal received 40 submissions from the public including from the Ballarat City Council, which queried the design of the goods shed and the multi-storey car park. 

Mayor Samantha Mclntosh told The Courier while she hoped to see work begin by the end of the year, heritage protection needed to be a top priority.

The 405-space car park and the first stage of an interior road linking Nolan and Lydiard Streets will be completed prior to any works on the the goods shed or apartment complex commencing.   ‘

Following the delivery of the car park the current gravel parking area will be closed off to the public to allow work to begin on the private car park which will service the convention centre.

Work on the $5 million bus interchange inside the precinct is also anticipated to begin in early 2018.