Projects Update: December 2015 Project BALLARAT WEST GROWTH ZONE (BWGZ) Janet Dore Update Activation of the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) Broadbent Grains Pty Ltd has been announced as the first major tenant. They will invest $24 million into the Ballarat economy during construction and create 45 new permanent jobs and 60 jobs during the construction phase. BWEZ is generating considerable interest among potential tenants. On 10 December 2015, in a joint media statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, together with Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford and the Mayor, Cr Des Hudson announced the release of the BWEZ Freight Hub EOI. The aim of the announcement is to draw the interest of media and industry to ensure wide coverage of the opportunity and deliver high quality bidders to the EOI process. It is hoped it will also draw attention to the delivery of the BWEZ project and its objectives of creating employment and investment to the Ballarat Region. Key Trunk Infrastructure works has commenced with local company Pipecon awarded the contract for civil works covering the 60ha Stage 1 development of 10 lots. These works are expected be completed by end June 2016. Western Link Road Work on the Link Road Stage 1 (Northbound section the main entrance to the airport and BWEZ precinct) is proceeding well and will be completed by end January 2016. Tender documents for Stage 1 (Southbound section to Remembrance Drive) are nearing completion and expressions of interest will be sought early in 2016 BWGZ Project Objectives The original objectives have now largely been achieved with tenants for BWEZ identified and the Western Link Road well under way. New objectives are being considered by the task team and will be subject to review and endorsement at its meeting in February 2016. It is envisaged that focus will be given to: o securing funding for and commitment to Stage 2 development of land in BWEZ precinct. o the City of Ballarat conducting an update of Stage 2 of the Western Link Road economics previously conducted by AECOM in 2010 to support any future funding application made to the State Government
REVITALISING THE ACU- HOSPITALS-LAKE WENDOUREE PRECINCT (RAHP) Michael Krieg BRAND BALLARAT Steve Coltman The Health and Education Precinct (HEP) is recognised as a significant economic driver for the City in the Ballarat Strategy. Preparation of a Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is proceeding well following the Community consultation phase and it is expected that the draft HEP PSP will be completed per the schedule in March 2016. Parking in the precinct and the city centre continues to be a challenge and City of Ballarat is considering a number of options and the CBD parking strategy is subject to a determination by council at its 9 December 2015 meeting (refer agenda item 12.4) In developing the PSP, traffic flow in the precinct is also an issue and VicRoads is reviewing the Mair Street corridor and preparing a major piece of work to submit for funding. The plan is to improve Mair Street between Victoria Street and Dawson Street. Through traffic will be encouraged not to use Mair Street through the HEP to help reduce some of the congestion there. A Traffic and Parking Study has been commissioned and will be undertaken by Drew Matthews from ESR Transport Planning. The study will look at through traffic issues and parking sub-precincts. A meeting of key stakeholders including RAHP members, VicRoads, CDC Victoria (local bus service operator) and Ambulance Victoria was held in late November to discuss the study focus and the issues. Ballarat The Moment is Now Marketing Video and Campaign The Ballarat The Moment is Now Marketing Campaign was launched on 23 November by the Minister for Regional Development the Hon Jaala Pulford. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and as at 10 December the video has had over 26k views online. A 3-minute marketing video was produced and was shown at the launch, and a new URL was secured, www.themomentisnow.com.au which is positioned on the Committee for Ballarat website. 60, 30 and 15 second TV commercials (TVC) have been produced and the TV campaign was launched on local networks Prime 7 and Southern Cross 10 on 27 November. Funding for the campaign is being finalised. Initial funding support was received from City of Ballarat to cover production and the initial campaign launch. A funding application was also made to the State Government through the Stronger Regions Fund however this was not successful. Future campaigns will be subject to sponsorship from various stakeholders in sectors promoted. A sponsorship package is being developed and will be launched in February 2016 Revitalisation of the Ballarat CBD Relocation of a State Government Department While the previous State Government had committed to relocate 600 jobs from, VicRoads to Ballarat upon re-election, the new State Government has not made a decision, or determination, on the relocation. The matter was listed for discussion at Cabinet in mid- November and, while no formal announcements have been made. The Chair and CEO met with the Minister for Public Transport the Hon Jacinta Allan on 19 November to reinforce our position. Committee will continue to advocate for the relocation of State Government Department and / or agencies to create white collar jobs as part of revitalizing the CBD and it is anticipated a decision in regards to Vic Roads will be made in early 2016.
Development of the Railway Station Precinct $25 million of State funding has been committed for the refurbishment of the bluestone goods sheds. EOIs have been called for regarding the redevelopment of the site that is expected to include a 4.5star hotel, multi-storey car parking and a transport hub. EOIs close on 19 December. Development of the Civic Hall site The Partnership Group continues to work well and community involvement in the process continues to be strong with a number of new parties recently joining the conversation. Five concept plans were delivered per the schedule for review and discussion and were put on public display in November. The five options / designs have been prepared for consideration by Council on 9 December (agenda item 12.13) with recommendations that council approve town planning processes for stage one which will run parallel with finalisation of the remaining 3 options through the participatory design process. Development of the Major Sports and Entertainment Precinct at North Ballarat The Master Plan for Stage 1 was launched by the Minister for Regional Development the Hon Jaala Pulford in November 2015. Peddle Thorp Architects who conducted architectural works for MSAC, Rod Laver Arena and Simmons Stadium, have been appointed for the Stage 1 development. Work has already commenced on the reorientation and upgrade of the ovals. AFL games will be scheduled at the stadium during the 2017 season. A key to the success of the project is securing the Western Bulldogs Football Club s commitment to Ballarat and the region the club President Peter Gordon has reaffirmed the club s commitment with the appointment of former North Ballarat and Western Bulldogs player Brett Goodes as their Community Engagement Officer based in Ballarat. Council adopted (09/12/15) the Victoria Park Master Plan as a longterm strategic plan for the future development and management of Victoria Park. This plan has provision for the potential relocation of the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society (BAPS). Ballarat Indoor Sports and Entertainment Centre and BAPS were unsuccessful with their Round 2 application for the Federal Governments Stronger regions fund SUSTAINABLE LIVING Peter Tadgell The key focus for the Sustainable Living Task Team for 2016 will be around bio-energy and promoting Ballarat to be a centre of excellence in Waste to Energy. Renewable Energy Federation University has completed its research paper on Renewable Energy Targets and this has been made available to members via the website. This paper presents a reasonable and balanced approach, focuses on the economic impact rather than the social or environmental impact, and outlines the value of the renewable energy sector in Victoria. While the economic impact is not significant, renewable energy does have a place in the economy of Ballarat and the region. The paper will provide the Project Team with the information needed for informed discussions with relevant Federal Government members.
The Project Team recognises that the mood is changing at the Federal level with seemingly a greater level of support for renewable energy from both the Government and the Opposition. The Project Team has discussed whether Committee, as thought leaders, should have a formal position on renewable energy especially in the lead up to the Federal election in 2016. The Board approved at its December 2015 meeting for this paper to be developed. Bio-Innovation Centre/Bio-Economy City of Ballarat is currently involved in commercial negotiations around waste-to-energy and it is expected that announcements will be made in the near future regarding contracts for the transfer station and waste-to-energy facility. The CEO of City of Ballarat Anthony Schinck made a presentation on the status of the Waste to Energy/Waste Management project to keen the task team abreast of developments at its December 2015. Ballarat s Water Future Project (formerly Living Ballarat Project) Two key projects have resulted from this project: the Aquifer Recharge project report is currently being finalised; and $300,000 has been allocated for the Greening Ballarat Project with the project scope currently being developed. The Ballarat s Water Future Project Control Board will be disbanded in mid-2016 after which the two projects will be driven by their project sponsors. Committee has participated in research conducted by SGS Economics which will feed into the development of a Statewide Integrated Water Management Plan. FASTTRACK BALLARAT Nick Beale The project has received excellent media coverage in The Courier on rail issues over recent months which has helped highlight to State Government the need for continued investment in improving the service frequency and time scheduling following completion of the Regional Rail Link. Additional rolling stock has been committed by the State Government and the contract for construction of the Rowsley passing loop (near Bacchus Marsh) has been awarded to Thiess/UGL. The completion of this loop in April 2016 will enable greater scheduling flexibility for V/Line services. The Project Team will now maintain its focus on advocating the creation of a business case for the duplication of the entire line between Ballarat and Southern Cross Station. The recent town planning approvals by the Minister for Planning, the Hon Richard Wynne, for the creation of a new suburb (Thornhill Park), to be established near Rockbank will also act as a catalyst for this. Minister for Small Business, Innovation & Trade, the Hon Philip Dalidakis and Minster for Regional Development, the Hon Jaala Pulford announced $18m of the $40m State Government allocation for Black Spot funding will be targeted towards 5 major v-line routes (Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Gippsland & Seymour) to enable 3G & 4G mobile coverage for the entire journey. It should be noted that this does not allow for include free wi-fi connection with work to be completed (subject to planning approvals) by end of 2016
MAXIMISING ehealth TECHNOLOGY (MeT) Dr Helen Thompson Public Transport Victoria (PTV) Stakeholder/Public Forums PTV held a number of stakeholder/public forums across regional Victoria in June and July. Stakeholders and interested community members were invited to make a submission on public transport and connectivity issues. Committee for Ballarat made a significant submission to the RNDP highlighting key growth areas in the region and areas of focus for economic and social value; and importance of improved services to Ballarat and the region will deliver. The PTV report on the key findings of the community consultation process and plans moving forward will be released in January 2016 The Medicare Local model was replaced by the Primary Health Care Network (PHCN) on 1 July 2015 as part of the Federal Government s health care agenda. Given our partnership with Grampians Medicare Local on the MeT Project Team, a decision was made to put this project on hold and reconvene in December 2015 The CEO met with the CEO of the Western Victoria Primary Health Network Jason Trethowan to discuss the aims and objectives of MeT and the role the new PHCN will play in the area of ehealth. The terms of reference and key objectives for the project will now be refined by the task team following its December 2015 meeting and released in February 2016