More steps have been taken to prepare the former Latrobe Street saleyards for its next use - as yet undefined - as the huge task of decommissioning the derelict site continues.
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A heritage overlay for some of the more historic buildings now looks imminent - and many of the old pens, panels and gates have now been sold.
Four giant lots of the saleyards infrastructure were opened to expressions of interest last year.
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Landmark Harcourts Ballarat announced the completion of the sale earlier this week, with sold stickers now covering the signs that were outside of the old saleyards area.
"Ballarat Saleyards Infrastructure Sold! Great result for all and thanks for those involved," a post on the company's Facebook page reads.
"With a bit of luck a lot of the huge amount of panels, gates, ramps etc will get to be reused and repurposed on farms and elsewhere".
In a statement, a City of Ballarat spokesperson wrote: "The four allotments were sold to one local entity. The entity will be removing all structures above the ground without disturbing areas which have been identified as significant."
"The site has been cleared of asbestos and it is expected that all structures will be removed mid to late this year."
In the past few weeks, workers were seen taking the asbestos away from the site, which sprawls across 13 hectares to the south of Victoria Park.
Heritage controls are now likely to be implemented over part of the the former LaTrobe saleyard site after the Minister for Planning gave the green light for a planning scheme amendment that would allow permanent heritage controls to be put in place.
These would protect a 1909 administration building, a 1963 selling pavilion, as well as bluestone-paved saleyards and ramps facing Latrobe St from development. They were all deemed historically and architecturally significant at a local level in a 2013 assessment.
Councillors voted to seek the amendment from the planning minister in November last year. The amendment will be on public exhibition from April 9 to May 12.
It is the latest stage in a long process towards the next phase in the life of the site, which was used as a saleyards from the 1860s until October 2018.
A background analysis paper was released following a previous public consultation process, which showed the community supported the renewal of the entire precinct, as well as opening Gillies Street through the saleyards site, and protecting the site's heritage.
A draft summary report from consultants is due to be put out for community consultation in the coming months. An officer report is due before councillors mid way through this year.
Previous coverage of the former saleyards
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