NOW that hundreds of Ballarat residents have seen inside the Civic Hall, will it change our view of this controversial venue?
It’s intriguing to think about the space and its potential uses in isolation of the event of recent times without remembering the past.
In tackling the issue today, The Courier takes a step back in time to discover that the site has always held a special place in the heart – and minds – of Ballarat people.
It’s incredible that a facility with so much potential has been unused for a decade. Those who were given a brief tour inside the hall yesterday will attest to that.
The tours are another part of Ballarat City Council’s strategy to get more residents involved in having their say about the future of the hall. There are many who want it pulled down completely, others that want it restored for use and many others who just want action.
All have strong claims to the “right” solution but finding agreement has been akin to finding a needle in a haystack since the hall was closed in the early 2000s.
Let’s hope this latest attempt to engage the community in the Civic Hall’s future provides a direction which can see progression.
The current council, which is facing election later this year, needs to salvage something from its term and ensuring that it is clear on the community’s views will be a major step.
As we have in the past, we implore the community to put forward their ideas, as this is the opportunity Ballarat asked for when the previous plans for the site were being debated.
Train vandalism may cost us all
THE success of Heritage Weekend as an event for locals, and visitors, should not be underestimated. Thousands of people took in local events as part of the weekend which has grown significantly in recent years.
So many people would be disturbed about the news that steam engines, which were incredibly popular on the weekend, had been vandalised.
The implications of the actions of those involved clearly was not at the front of mind.
The reality that the operators of the engines might not come back will no doubt cause outrage.
The community’s sentiment should be reflected in dealing with those whose actions wreck the fun for the majority.