Disability advocates will join City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh tomorrow to call on both sides of politics to provide the $5 million needed to ensure the theatre is accessible to everyone in the community, including people with disabilities.
With the existing design of the building, people with disabilities (particularly those with mobility issues) are unable to directly access most of the 144-year-old performing arts landmark, including:
The main auditorium. Currently, people with mobility issues enter via the side door, make their way to the far end of the building and down a ramp to access a lift. The lift, which needs to be operated by staff, can only take two people, meaning the person's carer or companion must take the lift separately - posing particular challenges for frail people and children
The Long Room for functions, such as post-show opportunities to meet performing artists, and events. There is no alternative access
The Dress Circle, dressing rooms, the Green Room, offices and the administration area. There is no alternative access
The stage. Instead people with mobility issues take a slow-moving hydraulic chair lift in view of the entire auditorium
Toilets. People with mobility issues must take the lift downstairs to access toilets. The lift does not operate in a fire emergency.
The City of Ballarat last year launched the Save Her Majesty's Ballarat - The Time Is Now campaign.
The campaign called on the Victorian and Australian Governments to provide the additional $15 million required for the next, second stage of works, to secure the future of Ballarat's foremost performing arts venue.
The Victorian Government committed $10 million in last year's election campaign.
An additional $5 million in funding will facilitate works that will provide greater levels of DDA compliance, including two new lifts to cater for artists and patrons of all abilities.
A lift at the back-of-house aims to provide direct access to dressing rooms, toilets and the stage while a new lift at the front-of-house aims to provide greater access inclusive of the Dress Circle, Long Room and administration offices.
Stage one emergency restorative works began on the theatre in early 2018. The Her Majesty's Ballarat works are supported by a $2 million grant under the Victorian Government's Living Heritage Program. The City of Ballarat has also funded the works, allocating $5.3 million in its 2018-2019 budget.
The Ballarat and wider performing arts community has rallied to throw its support behind the campaign, with the Royal South Street Society launching a Change.org petition, which has now reached more than 2,300 signatures.
The first stage of the project - the conservation works - are expected to be completed in time for the opening of the 2019 Royal South Street Society's competition.
