More than 85 landowners attended an information session about the Ballarat West Growth Area last night.

Hosted by the City of Ballarat and SMEC Urban, the session provided landowners with an opportunity to have their say on draft layouts for precincts, 1, 2 and 4 of the project.

City of Ballarat Growth and Development portfolio Councillor, Noel Perry, said landowners contributed a wide range of ideas for the plans, including thoughts around the location of key services, residential areas and buffers.

“The session was a positive experience for both Council and the landowners in attendance. The feedback we received is essential to ensuring we’re all happy with the final plans”.

“We’ll continue working together with the landowners, stakeholders and the broader community, as well as our consultants SMEC Urban, to ensure the best outcome for this project”.

The main ideas raised during the session included:

• New roads associated with the development and possible congestion issues
• Potential locations of schools and open space
• Opportunities for making Ballarat West a destination for the broader Ballarat community
• Environmental concerns including contamination, flora and fauna, and the wetlands

Feedback from the session will be compiled and distributed to residents over the next few weeks.

Consultation with the broader community will continue over the remainder of 2011.

Key project stakeholders, including community groups, government agencies and real estate professionals, attended a similar consultation session today. Both sessions were held at the Sebastopol Community Hub.

For more information on the Ballarat West Growth Area project, follow the Ballarat West links on Council’s website www.ballarat.vic.gov.au, email ballaratwest@ballarat.vic.gov.au or call Council’s Strategic Planning unit on 5320 5536.