Two date palms planted at the entrance of Civic Hall on Thursday morning are symbolic of council’s confidence in the project, says City of Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh.
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The palms, each three to four-metres high and about 40 to 50-years-old, were installed yesterday as the council took reporters on a tour of the latest stage of the Civic Hall restoration.
Ms McIntosh said she was incredibly excited to see the progress being made on the project, to which council has committed $6.3 million.
The date palms are male variants chosen, said Ms McIntosh, to reduce fruit and leaf litter.
“They grow at just one layer per year, so in 100 years time these palms will be the height of the top of the facade,” said Ms McIntosh.
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Inside the hall, scaffolding fills the interior as the ceiling is restored and the roofspace insulated.
S.J. Weir builders director Crag Jenkins says the restoration work is on track to be finished by Christmas.
“It’s terrific to use some of the traditional building methods,” said Mr Weir.
“It’s a little bit different, but good.”
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