The council yesterday released information on a planning scheme amendment request for the Victoria Street site, including a proposal to develop the site with a supermarket, shops and medical centre. 

The amendment proposes the site, at 200, 200a and 200b Victoria Street, be rezoned into a combination of residential, mixed use and commercial zones.

Debate has surfaced in the community since a developer bought the site in 2011.

The former orphanage, which was later used by Damascus College as its junior school site, was built in Victoria Street in the mid-1860s and was a home for more than 4000 children during its tenure.

A number of former orphanage residents have voiced their concern at the site being redeveloped. 

Phylis Read, who was abused while at the orphanage, and was one of the last three children on the site along with her twin sister Edith and younger sister Rosemary, made a “blood claim” on the site at the September 14 Ballarat CIty Council meeting. 

“I say it’s our blood, so it’s our land,” Mr Read said at the time.

Council has urged anyone who may be affected by the new amendment to make a submission to council by 5pm on December 16. 

Submissions can be in any form including email, writing, photographs, drawings, paintings and recordings. 

Once the public exhibition period finishes, a report will be prepared summarising the submissions received, before council considers the report and makes a decision. 

Anyone wishing to discuss the proposal can contact the city’s strategy unit on 5320 5103.

patrick.byrne@fairfaxmedia.com.au