Ballarat's Bridge Mall plan sparks division among traders

Many have taken issue with the City of Ballarat's consultation process, which ended its third phase on Monday, and included a pop-up shop on the shopping strip.

A straw poll of 51 businesses found opinions were divided - landowners, shop owners, managers, and day-to-day employees were asked whether they were for or against the plan.

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Some were happy to provide yes or no answers, while others politely declined.

The results, while entirely unscientific, showed an almost even number of supporters and detractors - the majority, however, wanted to wait and see what council's final plan was, regardless of whether they supported the plan or not.

Those who supported the plan said a road would bring more interest in the strip, and would help attract new businesses and employment.

However, a common thread among detractors, and those who were not sure, was the idea that council had made up its mind on reopening the street before they were asked.

Some business owners said they had been phoned and directed to submit comment via an online form, while others have met repeatedly with council officers.

In response, a City of Ballarat spokesperson said in a statement about 120 businesses in the wider Bakery Hill precinct were contacted, and all were given the opportunity to engage with one-on-one meetings.

The public was invited to comment on design options that were all "adaptable shared spaces".

"Council was clear and remains committed to ensuring safe vehicle movement throughout the precinct," the statement says - there was no yes or no answer on whether a design option was included for discussion that did not include the road.

Instead, there were five options, including two-way and one-way streets with various parking options and extra landscaping possibilities.

Some businesspeople who were in favour of the plan said they were unsure about the loss of foot traffic during construction.

Others said parking was the priority, and any plan would need to include a reasonable number of spaces.

"Opening the mall to traffic, with a focus on providing an increase in activity and easy access for people to the area, is one of the ways in which movement through the mall can be improved; streetscape upgrade will build confidence in the private sector to invest in the precinct, new community spaces will be built and the original entry to Ballarat through the historic commercial core of Bridge Street will be reintroduced," the statement says.

The spokesperson emphasised the designs are not final, with feedback yet to be collated - submissions will be summarised in a further document.

The plan, with concept art, was first announced in April this year.

Council has committed $15 million over three years towards the precinct, including the reopening, but will also require state government funding.

"Business as usual is not an option as the decline can't be reversed without major intervention," the statement says.

Council said 61 survey responses were received in the latest consultation period, and eight written submissions, while there were 1100 online visits to council's MySay website and about 180 visits to the pop-up shop.

"It was one of the most extensive consultation processes to date for a masterplan," the statement says.

"Moving forward, Council now has a Business Support Officer dedicated to liaising with businesses in the Ballarat CBD and who will maintain ongoing communications with traders, landowners and broader community as the project progresses."

One business owner who is against the road option is Chris Angel, from Metro Hair.

He said he has spoken to thousands of people in his shop - "only three are in favour of the plan," he said.

"I had a meeting with (council), and they said that all the consultation part of it was over," he said.

"They were going to come forward with options, six options, most for road through, some for other ideas like a tram, they said all the options wouldn't necessarily be to put a road through - they said once the options come out you'll be able to have an input."

He said the elderly and people with young children were attracted to the mall because there was no traffic, and the potential for activations in the space with community events like children's activities and markets.

"Young families, seniors, with a road through - they won't go down there anymore (if a road is built)," he said.

He's begun a Change.org petition against the road proposal, and has been active in lobbying other businesses.

The Bridge Mall Business Association is focused on the viability of the precinct, according to president Liam Stringer.

"We're going in with eyes wide open and wanting to get the best outcome for everyone involved," he said.

"Be it a road, great, be it a mall, great, but whatever it is, let's get it done to the best of our abilities.

"We hope as many people in the community voice their opinions, it's all of ours - members of the association have expressed opinions, and there's there's been strong pro-road, strong anti-road (positions)."

The road proposal is also part of the broader Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan, which was released for public comment in August - this included concept art where existing shopping centres and car parks had become apartment blocks.

While the petition against the road plan notes 750 apartments could be built in the area, council has committed to work with "all stakeholders" during the process.

"The next steps in the Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan will be consideration of the Master Plan by Council for adoption, and then progressing to design detail for the physical works that will take place," the statement says.

"This includes the planning, design and further community engagement associated with the proposed designs."

The Urban Renewal Plan will go to council at the October 30 meeting.

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