Plans to kickstart the renewal of Bakery Hill have changed under new budget plans, worrying some observers about the impact.
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Originally, $10 million was due to be pumped into the historic precinct next financial year, likely to include much debated work to re-open Bridge Mall to traffic.
Under the draft budget released this week, that will be now be slimmed down to $4 million, with $10 million instead slated to follow in 2021/22 - a deferral that has been described as "a disappointing setback".
The mayor Cr Ben Taylor meanwhile has said the results of new tender would be out next week, telling The Courier the project remained "an exciting development" and "a catalyst for recovery."
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The City of Ballarat revealed plans last May to invest $15 million into the precinct over three years, aiming to attract development and breathe new life into an area that has struggled in recent years.
The last thing the area needs is uncertainty around what's being delivered and when it's being delivered
- Lauchlan Waddell, Colliers International
Liam Stringer, the president of the Bridge Mall Business Association, said while traders had been focusing on the immediate fall-out from COVID-19, the renewal project was "still of the highest priority" - and was more pressing than ever as retailers faced the effects of a downturn.
"Whether it's state or council funding, we all need to get together and move in the same direction ," he said on Wednesday.
He said had not looked at the detail of the budget, but hoped traders would be discussing it with council soon. just as the retail precinct begins its first tentative steps to recovery since the COVID-19 threat first emerged.
Lauchlan Waddell of Colliers International, who deals with many of the commercial leases around Bridge Mall, said he feared the deferral of 60 per cent of this year's funding would have a detrimental effect.
"The last thing the area needs is uncertainty around what's being delivered and when it's being delivered," he said.
He said the proposed delay of funds previously set aside for 2020/21 was an acknowledgement the bulk of the work planned would be pushed back.
"I don't think it is helping the confidence of the area," he said.
He also said with more businesses likely to close due to the economic difficulties, there had probably never been a better time to get works under way with the minimum of disruption.
Mr Waddell's views were echoed by Roger Permezel, an adviser on hotel and tourism infrastructure, who described the partial deferral as a "disappointing setback for the city's economy".
Mr Permezel believes the project could boost the attraction of a significant tourism quarter of Ballarat, as well as stimulate jobs and recovery.
Joseph van Dyk is the founder of Hygge Property, and a key player in the recently approved Nightingale accommodation project planned for Davey Street in Ballarat Central. He said he hoped the shift in funding would not stall change - although he believes more difficult times are likely before revitalisation takes place. Getting more people living in the area was key, he said, describing the council's renewal plan as "a great piece of work in progress."
"As the largest landowner as well as the responsible authority, the council needs to be the catalyst to prompt the rejuvenation of Bakery Hill."
In a later statement Cr Taylor said an announcement about a tender for the Bakery Hill revitalisation - expected to outline clearer proposals on the reopening of Bridge Mall to cars - would take place next week.
Last December, he told The Courier the City of Ballarat was seeking expressions of interest for designs on how Bridge Mall could look in years to come, with three companies shortlisted.
Describing the Bakery Hill and Bridge Mall rejuvenation as "one of the most significant and biggest investments" in the council's history, Cr Taylor said the project called for "a planned, staged approach".
"There is no doubt that this exciting re-development of one of Ballarat's key retail precincts will be a catalyst for recovery," he said.
If there is any opportunity to deliver on things quicker, we will, but it will require State and Federal Government support
- Ballarat mayor, Cr Ben Taylor
Ballarat's draft budget coverage:
Previous coverage on Bridge Mall
- Council calls for designers to shape future of Bridge Mall
- Councillors to vote on Bakery Hill plans
- Ballarat Council unveils plans to reopen Bridge Mall to cars
- Traders welcome plans to return cars to Bridge Mall
- Huge cash boost for Bridge Mall approved
- Ballarat's Bridge Mall and Bakery Hill plans released
- Public submissions on the City of Ballarat's draft budget, which can be read here, are open until June 8.
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