Ballarat Town Common, which lies to the north of the Western Freeway, is part of the larger northern growth investigation area.

A letter written by Cameron Coventry - a doctoral candidate in Australian History at Federation University - outlines fears over the future use of the common, which has been legally designated public land since the 19th century.

The letter has been signed by 13 others, whom Mr Coventry describes as historians, social scientists and scientists. They include several of Mr Coventry's Federation University colleagues.

PROPOSED NORTHERN GROWTH ZONE

Giving the historic and social background to the common land, Mr Coventry argues the land should not be developed. "The people's land more than ever should be used for collective gain" he writes. "Ballarat Town Common must be kept as an open space."

The area could be used for British style allotments or an open air museum, Mr Coventry says in his letter, which was prompted by The Courier's story on the growth zones last Saturday.

"It could be to Ballarat what Central Park is to New York City," he said.

In October 2019, councillors voted to approve plans to include the entire Northern Growth Investigation Area - which also includes land surrounding Mount Rowan - as a new development zone in the city.

It was selected as the best area for development along with a western extension area next to the urban growth zone where most residential construction is taking place at the moment.

An area to the east and north-west were rejected, although the north west growth investigation area now appears to be on the radar again.

In September last year, council approved a motion to allow planners to work with private industry to carry out technical planning work. With the rapid growth rates in the city, pressure has been building to open more land up for development.

An assessment of Ballarat's long-term growth options carried out by the Hansen Partnership and used by councillors as a key document in making the 2019 decision, references the Ballarat Town Common area.

It is described as "low lying land.... designated as Crown Land (nominated as a public reserve), and consequently is likely to remain undeveloped."

The City of Ballarat's director of development and growth Natalie Robertson also said construction on the land was not planned.

The Courier inquired why the land was included in the growth investigation area.

In a statement Ms Robertson said: "When identifying land for planning, it is important for constrained land such as crown land to be included in a planning process such as the proposed Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) for the Northern Growth Area.

"This allows for all land to be considered for appropriate uses that will serve future communities. This includes land that will be required for recreation, infrastructure, schools, community facilities and commercial activities.

"The PSPs also allow for the protection and improvement of waterways, heritage assets and aboriginal cultural heritage."

Burrumbeet Creek runs across through parts of the common with the north common wetland forming to the west. A waste water treatment plant separates the common from Gillies Street to the east.

On the other side of the Western Freeway lies the old Ballarat West Town Common and Ballarat airport.

Ms Robertson said the Ballarat Common land was more likely to stay as a recreation space for residents, both current and future.

"Through the inclusion of this land in a precinct, council is able to advocate to state government for improved investment in this space to improve its function as an active or passive recreation area.

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