Ballarat City Council will seek to have construction consortium Pellicano review its plans for the Ballarat Station Precinct development, arguing to the state peak body the plans fail to adequately recognise the city’s heritage.
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The final plans for the precinct were presented to Heritage Victoria and Planning Minister Richard Wynne for consideration earlier this month, with public submissions able to be made until the end of next week.
On Wednesday councillors will vote on whether to submit a letter to Heritage Victoria which highlights concerns around the heritage elements of the proposed design.
Among the criticisms detailed are the interior design of the goods shed, which the letter states “(removes) the sense of expanse that is unique to this structure”. The letter also queries the lack of Disability Discrimination Act compliant access to platform one of the station and the external appearance of the hotel in the north-west corner of the site.
The document is also critical of the appearance of the multi-storey car park.
City of Ballarat mayor Samantha Mclntosh said while it was critical the project went ahead, it needed to be the best outcome for the city.
“I want the city to keep moving forward and respond to population growth but at the same time it’s imperative we look after our personality as a city and respect and maintain our built form,” Cr Mclntosh said. “There needs to be some commitment and reassurance (from the developers) that they understand and appreciate the reflections of those built forms.”
The letter highlights council’s expectation a signalised intersection will be built along Nolan Street as part of the initial stage of the development.
After July 28 Heritage Victoria will undertake a detailed assessment of the application.
The first stages of the precinct development are anticipated to get underway in September with construction of the multi-storey car park near Nolan Street.
A Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning spokesperson said "planning permit applications of this nature pass through a stringent process to ensure all development aspects, including heritage, are thoroughly assessed”.
"This project will revitalise an important part of Ballarat's CBD while preserving the character of one of Victoria's most historic railway goods sheds."