March Council Meeting re-cap

A number of major community‑focused projects progressed at the 25 March 2026 Council Meeting, with Council endorsing improvements that will strengthen local infrastructure, enhance community facilities and preserve important legacies:

Lake Wendouree Public Toilet location finalised

Visitors to Lake Wendouree will benefit from new, safer and more accessible public toilets, following Council’s endorsement of St Patrick’s Point as the preferred location.

Extensive consultation reached more than 2,267 community members, with 54 per cent of respondents favouring St Patrick’s Point.  

The $240,000 project will incorporate accessible design, security lighting, a drink fountain and landscaping, with Heritage Victoria approval to also be undertaken.

This upgrade will ensure the lake continues to be a welcoming space for families, visitors and event‑goers year‑round.

Eastwood Leisure Complex Redevelopment takes a major step toward a new, modern community hub

Community sport, recreation and wellbeing programs will be boosted after Council awarded the tender for the redevelopment of the Eastwood Leisure Complex to local builder Nicholson Construction.

The $17.54 million project is jointly funded by the City of Ballarat ($9.01M) and the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program ($8.53M).  

The redevelopment will transform Eastwood into a modern, multi‑use facility supporting more than 100 community groups and over 1,000 weekly participants.

The new complex will meet contemporary accessibility standards and aim for 5‑star Green certification, delivering a thriving, inclusive home for community activity.

New Marty Busch Reserve Oval No.2 Changerooms to commence soon

Council has approved the tender to construct new changerooms and supporting facilities at Marty Busch Reserve Oval No.2, with the project to deliver modern, gender‑inclusive changerooms, umpire facilities, a social space and improved amenities.

Local builder CiQ Construction Management was the successful tenderer.

The upgrade is part of the broader $9.425 million Marty Busch Reserve Master Plan Implementation Project, which is in partnership with the Victorian Government ($8.4 million) and City of Ballarat ($1.025 million).  

These updates align with the Master Plan – which was endorsed by Council in April 2023 – and will greatly benefit the Sebastopol Football Netball Club and Napoleons‑Sebastopol Cricket Club.

Parking Technology Tender awarded

Council endorsed a new contract for the city’s parking meter and parking technology system, ensuring Ballarat continues to provide a fair, modern and customer‑friendly parking experience.

The tender attracted seven submissions, with the chosen supplier – CellOPark to continue delivering:

• parking meters
• enforcement technology
• pay‑by‑phone options
• license‑plate‑recognition vehicle options
• backend software for smarter management

The system retains Ballarat’s popular first‑hour‑free parking, used by 70 to 80 per cent of CBD visitors, and sets the foundation for future innovation, including virtual meters or in‑ground sensors.

Leachate Removal Panel to protect local environment and ensure compliance

Council has awarded the tender for the leachate removal panel servicing the Ballarat Regional Landfill and Gillies Street Transfer Station, to RTD Environmental Pty Ltd, and Stows Waste Management Pty Ltd.

The nine‑year contract (three years plus two optional three‑year extensions) is valued at up to $9.76 million, with annual costs recovered through waste charges.

This contract ensures Council continues to meet strict environmental compliance requirements, with landfill capping works progressively reducing leachate generation over time.

C.E Brown Reserve Courts to become ‘Sally McLean Courts’

Council endorsed the proposal to officially name the C.E Brown Reserve netball courts the ‘Sally McLean Courts’, honouring the legacy of a beloved local netball coach and mentor.

The consultation process received 45 submissions, all in full support of the name. Council will now submit the proposal to Geographic Names Victoria for registration.

This naming recognises Sally McLean’s long‑standing commitment to the development of young athletes and celebrates her enduring community impact.

She served the Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club for more than a decade in various roles including U18 Coach, Senior Coach, Netball Coordinator and mentor. Under Sally’s leadership, the Lakers became a dominant force in the BFNL, with her teams consistently demonstrating excellence, humility and sportsmanship both on and off the court.

Sally’s coaching career was marked by remarkable achievements, including 10 grand final appearances and 7 premierships. In 2010, the Lakers secured all four netball premierships on offer – a feat that remains unmatched. Her peers and BFNL officials regularly recognised her leadership, voting her “Coach of the Year” nearly every season of her tenure, while she was also nominated as Coach of the “BFNL Best Netball Team of 20 Years”. She sadly passed away in 2015 after a battle with cancer.