A new market, open space or recreation area: these are a few of the ideas put forward by neighbouring residents and business owners for the future of the old Latrobe Street saleyards.
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The site was decommissioned last year following the opening of the extended new saleyards in Miners Rest in October and has lain unused since.
Now a new background analysis paper by Melbourne-based urban planners Mesh Planning is out.
It outlines the suggestions gathered at the end of last year, as well as the "challenges and opportunities" for the area's development.
According to a snapshot of feedback received from 74 contributors, the saleyards should be earmarked for community purposes, a market place or a recreation area.
Others also urged for the extension of Gillies Street through the saleyards site to Latrobe Street, which would return the street layout to its original format. Currently the north-to-south running Gillies Street is blocked off at the old saleyards.
The historic use of the land - which served as the region's main animal saleyard for more than 150 years - should also be acknowledged, other commenters suggest.
The paper also refers to "some significant unresolved structural issues", but there is no detail included yet on the measures required to decontaminate the site.
As well as the contamination, other potential complications include the layers of bluestone on the site.
The paper also considers a wider "study area" for the Latrobe Street Saleyards Precinct Urban Renewal Project. This included improving access to Victoria Park to the north, as well as potential developments and changes in other areas of land surrounding the saleyards.
The saleyards site is crown land, which means the state government would need to be consulted over its use.
READ THE BACKGROUND ANALYSIS PAPER
The next stage of the process will be to present a framework plan, followed by further community consultation and the plan being considered by council.
A previous timeline which suggested a final plan would be released around mid-way through this year has now been replaced. There is no specific schedule currently outlined.
- A community information session will be held at Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre, 11 Tuppen Dr, Sebastopol this Wednesday July 17 (5.30 to 7pm).
- See https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/latrobe-saleyards for more details.
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