As you will know, Ballarat is a city of stature, elegance and tremendous history; the future looks bright for us to grow and prosper.

Ballarat is on the precipice of unprecedented growth. Our population is expected to grow from 100,000 today to 130,000 by 2030 (less than 10 years away!).

This growth will demand that a new visionary, inclusive strategy be developed that is supported by the community and will ensure the development of appropriate physical and social infrastructure, employment generation and business development for a progressive Ballarat.

The scales of wellbeing and prosperity must be balanced; hence, factual information is knowledge, which will ensure we have a vibrant and sustainable progressive Ballarat.

The future for Ballarat and our region must be predicated on affordable housing, public transport - both within the city and connecting to Melbourne - education, health (including aged care), arts and culture, and social and recreation facilities. That in turn will create economic growth, which will mean jobs.

For some, due to their skills and abilities, they have to travel out of Ballarat for work, which is why we need a fast and efficient express train service between Ballarat and Melbourne.

These express services should have dedicated business carriages that enable commuters to work on the train before they arrive at Southern Cross station or on their way home.

Ballarat City Council, as the closest form of government to the community, has a key role to play in bringing organisations together to facilitate community development.

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By working effectively with individuals and community organisations, council can add value to existing programs, create new opportunities and deliver ongoing benefits for our community.

Communities flourish when there are places and spaces for people to come together, and where we encourage people to enjoy community life.

We are gregarious beings who must socialise to remain healthy in body and spirit.

Ballarat is still the major services centre for western Victoria where many professional, retail, commercial, education, health and community services are located. To retain this important role for the state, Ballarat must ensure it adapts to the changing times and embraces new technologies and innovative practices.

Ballarat is already a rapidly expanding city where families can enjoy a healthy lifestyle in a carefree, secure environment in one of Australia's most historic and attractive regional centres.

It is timely to think about future critical arts/tourism/community infrastructure projects that deserve funding support from the three tiers of government. We must maximise new investment to ensure Ballarat's long-term sustainability.

Using innovation as a major plank of its future economic base, combined with a capable, adaptable workforce, will provide Ballarat with a sound foundation for future development, prosperity and jobs.

I realise you have a wealth of experience, particularly in local government, but in saying that our state government - through the now-disgraced former Minister for Local Government Adam Somyurak - has made significant amendments to the Victorian Local Government Act.

The government states this is the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of local government in Victoria for 30 years. It also states the Act will ensure there is local government democracy, accountability and service delivery for all Victorians.

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This is actually not the case. Local government is no longer transparent - "tell them nothing, take them nowhere" appears to be the current philosophy. That isn't democracy, nor is it fair for our community.

If you ask anyone in Ballarat who runs council, you will be told it is the councillors. This simply is not the case. Whilst the councillors may appoint the chief, the CEO actually has control with the powers now in place because of the Local Government Act amendments in 2020.

Why, then, do we have elected councillors with limited powers when in fact they are supposed to be our representatives who we hope will act in the best interests of our community?

The Ballarat Reform League Charter (our Magna Carta), formalised on 11 November 1854, states clearly 'that the people are the only source of all political power with the right of the people to have a say in how we are governed'.

We must return to the roots of our democracy and proudly live by the Eureka Oath: 'We swear by almighty God to stand truely by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties'.

This, frankly, should be council's and the community's creed.

As you know there have been a number of serious enquiries into council's activities, the most recent one of which resulted in the dismissal of the CEO and the resignations of the four second-level managers at the time.

The recent past has exposed a litany of issues concerning the management of council, with the councillors unaware of what had been occurring. Council must also now clear the besmirching of Cr Samantha McIntosh's good name, particularly around the gatekeeper's cottage and the fernery, which remain under budget.

Added to this is how former councils (councillors, CEOs and senior managers included) kowtowed to the state government. I quote former wise Councillor Grant Tillett: "The state has demonstrated its willingness to exert its authority by engaging in the dogmatic execution of projects (Sturt Street Bike Path) either against the will of the people or contrary to the concerns of the councillors (Mair Street).

"Unfortunately the state thwarted the councillors and totally failed the citizens by its intransigence over the provision of land for the community-supported 'all waste interchange' initiative. There is also no doubt that the state is failing Ballarat with its management of the Ballarat West Employment Zone, but work is proceeding, so why the hesitation in this case?"

Ballarat City Council must stand up to the state government and ensure future projects not only benefit Ballarat but also our community. Just look at the state of our historic railway station and its lack of disability access.

Not to mention the opportunity to further develop the Eastern Oval, which was overlooked in favour of the Northern Oval - which was a waste of public money. Council should purchase the land at the corner of Peel Street and Scotts Parade to improve the amenity of the Eastern Oval precinct..

We, the community, must now demand that we are heard and that our elected councillors reflect that in their decision-making by being fully informed of our wishes. We must demand that not only will our councillors have a say in how we are governed but also that our elected representatives do speak on our behalf.

A council can only effectively operate when the councillors are fully informed and briefed impartially on matters that they will supposedly get to vote on.

Mr King, a united council, supported by and informed by you as CEO, is the only way forward. However, the bottom line is change and renewal. It starts with your appointment and your preparedness to work in close partnership with the councillors to focus on what is best for the Ballarat community.

Ballarat deserves the best, which we hope will be a hallmark of your tenure.

Ron Egeberg, Soldiers Hill.

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