COMMUNITY SUMMIT

On Saturday 18 April 2009 the City of Ballarat held the 2009 Ballarat Community Summit as part of this Council's commitment to community engagement. Information from the Summit was used to refine and adjust the strategic vision and direction of the new four year Council Plan for the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2013. Written feedback to the Summit (plus information from focus group and surveys) was also used to inform the Council Plan.

The 2009 Community Summit focussed on three broad themes which are also the major themes in the Council Plan. They were:

• Ballarat's Growth and Development;
• Ballarat's People and Communities; and
• Ballarat's Destination and Connections

Each of these themes was considered from the economic, environmental and social point of view together with Ballarat's sense of place and identity. In total 128 people including 85 delegates attended the Summit.

To assist delegates and other interested people prepare for the Summit, discussion papers on each of the three themes were written and circulated, and feedback was invited.

Twelve submissions were received in response to the discussion papers. The issues raised in the submissions related to:

• Future residential development
• Lydiard Street declared an Arts and Heritage precinct and given an iconic profile
• Business development, particularly the manufacturing sector, needs to be supported to attract new business
• Development of new performing arts complex
• Economic growth must take account of ageing population
• Future population growth and development must be mindful of the need to reduce Ballarat's greenhouse gas emissions, oil dependence, energy and water consumption
• Fast, regular and efficient public transport is needed and the City made pedestrian friendly
• Strong focus on community consultation and participation
• Develop unused sites above shop fronts for inner city living and have greater police presence on streets at night to make it safer for people
• Use expertise and knowledge of local citizens in future development of areas
• Provide more extensive help to the aged and people with disabilities
• Use stormwater to restore water back in Lake Wendouree
• Return visitor information centre to central location, possibly Civic Hall
• Return Civic Hall to former use
• Establish a 'one stop shop' in the centre of Ballarat for those people wishing to access various government and charitable services in times of need. 
• Build a new oval in central Ballarat to cater for AFL matches and international cricket matches

Many of these points were also identified as key issues and priorities at the Summit.

Full details of the submissions are available on request from Council.

Council would like to thank its partners and all the delegates for volunteering their time and effort in making the Summit a major success. The valuable contributions and information provided by all concerned will be used extensively by Council in finalising the Council Plan for 2009 - 2013 and other future strategic and community planning processes.