Let’s get on with it! Next steps?
Through Phase Two of the Participatory Community Design Process, a number of components for the design of the Civic Hall Site have been identified as common agreed elements that need to be enacted first. All of these elements feature in all of the 5 Concepts. These are:
- the Civic Plaza (hard landscape)
- a Western Garden (soft landscape)
- renovation and reactivation of the foyer, dress circle, balcony and Main Hall of the Civic Hall
- works to maintain the existing number of carparking spaces
Responding to community desires to “get on with it”, these Stage 1 Implementation works could commence following a Council Chamber decision in December 2015 as per the proposed timeline.
The 5 Concepts vary in the configuration of the North of the site. This includes a particular focus on the location and design of a larger Ballarat Library and Community Hub and an ‘A’ Grade Office Space development. These two components as well as shops and cafés, apartments, carparking and extensive public open spaces - interacting with the Lower Hall and the Fly Tower - will be the focus of the next stage of Concept Design.
The North of the site Library and Office Space developments, will continue to be designed with methods of participatory community design. As the designs develop more detail and certainty this will include more formal stakeholder consultation and rigorous Cost Planning.
Due to the scale and size of the site, staging of the project is key to its success. Upon the Stage 1 Implementation, we will develop project governance in partnership with the community to allow for the feasibility, financing and buildability of the site. This will be through a mix of private and public investments. Good governance will work to ensure the project is timely and sustainable, that community and Council principles come first, and that the site stays focussed as the community heart of Ballarat.
Our Events Manager
Mairin Briody
B.A.(Film Theory & History), University of New South Wales
Mairin, of The Art of Events, is a maker, painter, gardener and bicyclist. She has worked across Marketing, Events, Promotions, Theatre, Film, Fine-Art and Advertising. After a career as a Producer/Creative Services Manager for Advertising within Australia and the UK, Mairin switched to Fine Art Galleries – eventually landing in Exhibition and Theatre Set Design. Mairin now combines her skills as the Director of her event design business, where she can focus on designing experiences and creating spaces for human interaction. Mairin's work is about strengthening community; finding opportunity for authentic engagement in public, business and private social events.
Each fortnight we send out a digital version of our newsletter straight to your inbox. To get these real-time updates about all that is happening at the Civic Hall Site, please sign up to our mailing list. Read more
Each week on Wednesday evening, we send out a digital version of our newsletter. To get these real-time updates about all that is happening at the Civic Hall Site, please sign up to our mailing list. Read more
Each week on Wednesday evening, we send out a digital version of our newsletter. To get these real-time updates about all that is happening at the Civic Hall Site, please sign up to our mailing list. Read more
Stay up to date with Our Email Newsletter
The newsletter is the backbone of the Participatory Community Design Process. The newsletter is now sent out fortnightly on Tuesdays via email and provides real-time updates on what is happening at the Civic Hall Site.
Article Contribution
We’d like to extend our invitation to contribute articles to forthcoming issues of the newsletter. These mini-articles (of 200-400 words and/or 1-2 photos) can be on any subject relevant to the redevelopment of the Civic Hall Site. There's an extremely broad range of topics that could be written about, and we value everyone's input and any debate – particularly when it is constructive. At this stage in the process, our editorial team will continue to make finer edits to tone, always aiming to ensure that the writer's voice and intent is honoured. You will be attributed for your work.
If you wish to contribute, please send us a message with your contact details and proposed topic via our Facebook page, at our newsletter submission page or via email. Our Managing Editor, Ailsa Brackley du Bois, will be in touch to find out more about what you have in mind, and to support your write-up and finalise submission.
Volunteer Opportunity!
Responding to requests from some members of the community, the digital newsletters have also been collated every three weeks into a printed edition that is available at the Open Door Studio and a few other locations in town including the Ballarat Library. If you’re available to help us with distributing these hardcopy newsletters to your favourite spots, please get in touch with us.
Yes, I’ll volunteer