Ballarat City Council has awarded a contract for the Wendouree West Recreation Reserve community hub, sports pavilion, changerooms and Men's Shed to Plan Group Pty Ltd for $4.764 million.
These works are part of the larger $7 million Strengthening Wendouree Community Recreation Precinct Project, funded by the State Government.
Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney and councillor Peter Eddy both spoke favourably of the project.
"There are a number of groups engaged in the precinct...There is a great community feel to the environment and this will be a wonderful facility," Cr Eddy said.
Ballarat City Council also voted to appoint 28 applicants to a 12-month pilot of the City of Ballarat's Design Review Panel.
The panel's purpose is to provide expert, independent design advice to decision-makers, developers and designers to deliver high-quality build outcomes across Ballarat.
Councillors Samantha McIntosh and Mark Harris highlighted the importance of the work the panel will undertake in guiding good decision making across the city.
"This is a much bigger piece of works than many would realise," Cr McIntosh said.
"This is about the personality of our city, the authenticity of our city and how we might look in another 100 years. This will deliver us enormous opportunities and great savings moving forward."
Six applications were received from existing members of the Victorian Design Review Panel appointed by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, who were automatically appointed to the panel.
Another 22 applicants were appointed in the areas of architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, planning, heritage, accessibility, transport and traffic engineering, civil engineering, lighting and academia.
Ballarat City Council has also adopted the Domestic Animal Management Plan which:
- Promotes responsible pet ownership and the welfare of dogs and cats in the community
- Protects the community and environment from nuisance dogs and cats
- Evaluates whether the animal management services are adequate
- Outlines officer training programs
Councillors Ben Taylor and Des Hudson congratulated the City of Ballarat's animal management staff and thanked the community for their input towards the plan.
"This is the final step receiving and addressing feedback from the community," Cr Taylor said.
"This plan sets the standard for Council and it is great to see particularly a focus in education back to the community in terms of responsible pet ownership.
"Well done to the team and volunteers at the shelter on all the hard work they do."
