A proposal for a state-of-the-art bus depot on Norman Street has been submitted to the City of Ballarat.
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Owned by operator CDC Ballarat, the site is currently used as a bus depot, but with a vacant block behind it - the proposal involves subdividing the land and building a new depot on the vacant block.
Planning documents show a new office building and employee car park, as well as more space for buses to park, a concept for electric vehicle charging, and a plan to use more rainwater in wash stations.
The site has been used as a bus depot since at least the 1950s, the documents state.
The new buildings would include a workshop and refueling facilities - the documents state the existing buildings would be used while the new depot is developed, with the long-term future of the existing site "not yet determined".
The new workshop would consist of eight bays and a steam clean bay, with four 30,000 litre rainwater tanks.
There would also be "parking for up to 133 buses and five spaces for Patient Transport Vehicles and trailer parking", and a new driveway would be built along the western edge of the property.
Design images note a "location/provision for future electric vehicle (bus) charging stations" on the southern edge.
"The proposed redevelopment will update and make better use of the subject site and Bus Depot," the documents state.
THE CURRENT BALLARAT BUS NETWORK
"Modern offices, amenities, workshop, wash bay and refueling facilities will replace facilities in need of replacement. Importantly, rainwater will be harvested on site for bus washing and plumbed for toilet use.
"Over time, the demand for new technology, electric, gas, articulated, smaller on-demand buses add to the required flexibility to the operation of the Bus Depot.
"There will be no change in the activities that are currently carried out on the land, except they will be relocated to the rear of the site to provide modern 'state of the art' and enhanced facilities and amenities."
"The CDC Bus Depot is well-established. The application and proposal will enhance the operational requirements of the CDC Bus Depot."
CDC Ballarat and CDC Victoria were emailed for comment but no reply was received by deadline.
This week, it was confirmed bus services will commence running to the Delacombe Town Centre on Route 25 from November 22.
The City of Ballarat and transport advocates have long been lobbying the state government to overhaul the city's bus routes to keep up with population growth - it's understood a new timetable will be devised when the new bus interchange at the Ballarat train station is complete.
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