A proposed CBD building set to house up to 110 public servants may get council approval, despite a dearth of on-site and nearby all-day parking.
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City of Ballarat officers have recommended that councillors approve the $5 million, five-storey Grenville Street development at the July 4 ordinary meeting.
The first floor of the building will include 20 car parks and storage room for 12 bicycles accessible from Cattan Street, with the developer applying for a parking dispensation of 58 spaces.
The Department of Justice and Regulation will install a new Justice Service Centre in the building if approved.
In a report, council officers said “the available unrestricted all-day parking in the vicinity of the site is very limited”, with all-day spaces within 250 metres having 87 per cent occupancy at peak.
The former Plaster Fun House site at 11 Grenville Street North has sat vacant since February 2014, following a structure fire.
Central Ward councillor Belinda Coates said CBD developments were a “balancing act”, with some Ballarat business developments having set a precedent of parking dispensation in the CBD.
“It’s a decision between jobs, activation and activity in the CBD, with people working and using the shops, versus using up valuable space for car parking,” she said. “It’s something that has to be worked on in the short, medium and long-term, in as far as balancing all of that.”
A major Mair Street redevelopment which will see the potential loss of 69 car spots was given the green light in March. Abutting Grenville Street, plans for the first part of the $7 million includes dual lanes from Dawson St North to Armstrong Street and then from Davies to Humffray St.
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