A GROUP working to save Ballarat’s Civic Hall from partial demolition plan a last-ditch effort to save it through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
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Save Civic Hall (SCH) secretary Merle Hathaway said the group wants to see the 400-seat lower hall saved along with the rest of the building which is being restored.
The lower hall is being earmarked for demolition to make way for the GovHub project which aims to employ 1000 government workers in the heart of Ballarat.
Ms Hathway said repeated unsuccessful attempts to mediate with state government departments and council had left the group with little choice but to pursue its cause at VCAT.
“SCH has decided to take the state government to VCAT as a last-ditch effort to retain the integrity and viability of the whole Civic Hall,” she said.
Ms Hathaway said fundraising conducted over a number of years would be used to pay for the challenge at VCAT.
“It’s amazing to think we’ve gone this far, so there’s no point in turning back now,” she said.
The City of Ballarat has kicked off stage one of contruction, which includes developing the main hall and foyer as a multi-function space and starting work on a public plaza. It is hoped to be completed by early next year.
Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said she was surprised at the move.
“This is a really important project. We’ve got 600 new public sector jobs coming and 400 existing jobs coming from a variety of locations across town,” Ms Pulford said.
“I’m not sure what exactly this action is looking to achieve apart from perhaps delay or put it at risk.”
