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A streetscape upgrade to the Victoria and Albert Street business precinct.  The City of Ballarat in partnership with the State Government, as part of Spotlight on Sebastopol are delivering the Victoria-Albert Streets Precinct Streetscape project.  

The project aims to deliver a greener, safer, and more accessible precinct for Sebastopol residents and visitors.  

Would you like to see the latest plans and discuss the project with the City of Ballarat project team? Come along to the Community Open House at Sebastopol Library on Thursday 13 July 2023, from 5.00pm - 6.00pm.

The $974,000 project will improve the experience of community members in the suburbs, by improving pedestrian access and connections, cycle paths, street furniture, trees and plants.  

The project has been funded thanks to the State Government’s $5 million Spotlight on Sebastopol program.  

Consultation with the Sebastopol community, businesses and stakeholders occurred in late 2022 and from this, detailed plans are being developed.  

The plans focus on the section of Albert Street from north of Birdwood Avenue to Ophir Street. The plans show the following:

• Approximately eighty new trees along Albert, Victoria and Bridge Streets.
• Garden beds and colourful planting.  
• Improved accessibility and pedestrian safety at the Albert Street and Victoria Street roundabout.
• Accessible car parking.
• New paving and seated areas for pedestrians and community members using local businesses.

During the consultation phase, community members said they would like improved pedestrian connections, outdoor dining and seating opportunities, landscaping, safety for cyclists and overall beautification of the area.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson, said it was a fantastic project to improve the bustling area of Sebastopol. 

“It will be great to see the streetscape beautification works and how this can support local businesses and improve our pedestrian and cycling opportunities," he said.  

Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing said it is pleasing to see the community having their say on their local streetscapes.  

“I’m thrilled to see the community is continuing to push this important project forward to enhance Sebastopol for locals and visitors," she said.  

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the Spotlight on Sebastopol project is all about putting the community first.  

“It is so wonderful that the improvements of key streets in Sebastopol are being driven by local residents, so that Sebastopol is an even better place to live,” she said.  

Most of the work will take place along the road shoulders and footpaths. The works are not expected to cause significant traffic disruption and will not impede businesses in the precinct. However, some minor disruptions for pedestrian access may be experienced.  

If you cannot make the Community Open House evening session, please reach out to the City Design team on  citydesign@ballarat.vic.gov.au

The project is anticipated to go out to tender before the end of the year. 

View the concept plans here. 

A kindergarten facility in Sebastopol has undergone a much-needed facelift.

The Sebastopol South Kindergarten Refurbishment project was officially unveiled on Thursday, with Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP joining City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson and Eureka Community Kindergarten Association CEO, Joanne Geurts for a tour of the facility.

The project was funded with $500,000 from the State Government via its Building Blocks Early Childhood Refurbishment and Minor Works Program, with the City of Ballarat contributing a further $62,973.

The refurbishment of the Spencer Street kindergarten has delivered a fit-for-purpose and inclusive facility for 44 children per day in both three and four-year-old kindergarten.

The works include the addition of a large outdoor covered area to provide an improved indoor and outdoor learning experience and extending the children's amenity areas into the existing verandah to include changing tables.  

The works also increased the internal storage space, improved the overall functionality of the facility with the addition of new adult and child height wash basins within the kindergarten rooms, and an upgrade to the heating and cooling system.  

Outside, landscape and facade treatments have significantly improved the appearance of the building.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the refurbished facilities aligned with the priorities outlined in the City of Ballarat’s Municipal Early Years Plan 2022–2026.

“It is vital we ensure that children at our centres have access to quality early learning, kindergarten and schooling that meets their needs,” he said.

“We are thankful for the State Government for their substantial investment in this project are very proud to help deliver it for the families of Sebastopol.”

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP said the refurbishment was a wonderful outcome for the community.

“Our littlest learners at the Sebastopol South Kinder deserve a bright, beautiful and safe learning environment,” she said.

“By modernising and expanding this kindergarten, we are delivering on our Best Start, Best Life reform and ensuring all children gain the academic and social benefits of kinder.”

The kindergarten refurbishment is the latest in a series of Sebastopol projects recently completed in collaboration with the State Government and City of Ballarat, including the Sebastopol Library Small Spaces Community Garden, the Urban Forest Update and completion of MR Power Park Upgrades.

Other collaborative projects that are currently under way include the implementation of projects within Marty Busch Reserve Master Plan and the construction of the Sebastopol Community Hub, which is also in conjunction with the Federal Government.

The are also projects currently being rolled out as part of the State Government’s $5 million Spotlight on Sebastopol program, including:

• The Yarrowee River Access Project
• The Hertford Street Bike Path Project
• The Victoria-Albert Street Precinct Implementation
• The Sebastopol Community Art Project

The Sebastopol South Kindergarten Refurbishment project, as well as the joint-projects mentioned above, are examples of the City of Ballarat’s commitment to delivering a better Ballarat. 

On the rear deck of the Sebastopol Library, a community garden is sprouting to life and providing vital skills and knowledge, as well as building community cohesion.

The Sebastopol Library Small Spaces Community Garden project was officially opened on Friday, with Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson touring the facility.

The project was funded with $34,900 from the State Government’s ‘Jumpstart! Round 2 Program’ and delivered by the City of Ballarat.

The funding enabled:

• The installation of raised planter boxes and establish small spaces gardens.  
• The installation of a small outdoor kitchen, to deliver cooking workshops with community partners.
• Workshops to facilitate small spaces gardening and seed saving during school terms, with a focus on children and young people.
• The establishment of a seed library alongside the garden, so that the community can continue with their gardening activities at home.

The Sebastopol Library project is one of 180 VicHealth Jumpstart! projects across the state, which aim to provide more opportunities for Victoria’s children and young people through sport, active play, art and food.

The City of Ballarat has been partnering with community groups, such as Food Is Free, and hosting cooking masterclasses with the likes of chef Tim Bone to teach useful and transferable skills that can assist with ongoing health and nutrition.

In total, more than 230 people have participated in programs including planting days, school holiday programs, and cooking activities.

Now fully established, the programs and garden will be supported by the City of Ballarat into the future.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the project would prove a vital community asset.

“At a time when cost of living pressure is high for families, there is a lot to be gained from educating people about gardening and growing your own food,” he said.

“We often say that libraries are about so much more than just reading books and projects like this reinforce that. Libraries are great social hubs and broader learning environments that go far beyond sitting down and quietly reading.”

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP said the new space would certainly be an asset to the community.

“Creating opportunities for our community to become skilled up in gardening creates not only social cohesion, but a deeper understanding of where our food comes from,” she said.

“The Small Spaces Community Garden Project is about promoting learning, developing knowledge and encouraging participation.” 

Works to upgrade three key connections to improve cycling and pedestrian access from Sebastopol to the Yarrowee Trail have been officially unveiled.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP on behalf of The Honourable Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Regional Development, along with City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson have marked the completion of the Yarrowee River Access project with an official opening at the new viewing area and shelter in Orion Street.

The City of Ballarat delivered the $1.2 million investment to upgrade connections to the Yarrowee Trail, funded as part of the State Government’s $5 million Spotlight on Sebastopol commitment.

Three sites were upgraded at:

• The corner of Orion Street and Rubicon Streets to create a parkland and viewing area and shelter with access to the Redan Wetlands.  
• The Yuille Station Park site in Vickers Street to improve picnic facilities and car parking with access to the Yuille Wetlands.
• Docwra Street to create a welcoming gateway to the start of the Yarrowee Trail.

The works include landscaping, new pathways and connections, car park upgrades, shelters, picnic furniture and shelters, fencing and bollards.

Two additional initiatives being funded as part of the Spotlight on Sebastopol program are also progressing.  

Works have started on the first stage of the 770-metre off-road Hertford Street bike path and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The $946,000 stage one section of the path from the Midland Highway (Albert Street) to Phoenix P-12 Community College along Hertford Street (Glenelg Highway) will provide a safe way for students to access Phoenix P-12 Community College and kindergarten.  

Raised crossings across side streets will allow safer access to schools, shops and services for all pedestrians and cyclists.

Works to deliver the Victoria Albert Streetscape Project have also begun.

The $974,000 project will deliver landscaping, including new trees to enhance the area, and will improve parking, pedestrian safety, accessibility and beautification of the area from just north of Birdwood Avenue to Ophir Street.

The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the Spotlight on Sebastopol initiatives are working to enhance the area, making it an even more inviting place to live, visit and shop.

“The City of Ballarat is proud to deliver these upgrades and thanks the Victorian Government for their vital investment into Sebastopol’s infrastructure and its future,” he said.

“The accessibility and beautification upgrades along the 16.5 kilometre Yarrowee Trail will strengthen important connections between between Docwra Street and Gong Gong Reservoir.

“Connecting Sebastopol with this important natural asset is an excellent opportunity to create living corridors that will enhance residents’ physical and mental wellbeing.”

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP said: “Through the Allan Labor Government’s transformative Spotlight on Sebastopol we are making Sebas an even better place to live.”

“The completion of the $1.2 million Yarrowee River Trail delivers three new connections to allow people to gather and connect with nature as well as new pathways, picnic areas and shelters.”  

“I am pleased to see the progress being made on the Hertford Street Bike Path. Our investment of $946,000 for the dual direction bike land and share path, this will be of particular benefit to Phoenix students and staff who chose to cycle to school.”  

“Through the $5 million Spotlight on Sebastopol projects we are improving amenity, whilst maintaining and promoting the unique identity of Sebastopol.”

Works on the Yarrowee River Access project started in December 2023 and were completed in July 2024.  

The City of Ballarat worked with contractor Urban Initiatives, which carried out the detailed design works for the three sites, and Ballarat’s SHAE Enterprises, which completed the construction works.

The planning phase involved consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation and the development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.