Newsletter: Spring 2006

“There is no reason to think that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens cannot change the world; indeed that’s the only thing that ever has.”

                                                                                                Margaret Mead

At the AGM held in November 2006 a new committee was elected.:

President     Dr. Anne Beggs Sunter

Vice President     Geoff Wallis

Secretary          Meredith Harvey

Treasurer        Dr. Brian Pola

Committee Members;   Liz Sheedy, Rae Sebo, Dinah NcGance. 

The new Committee  decided to. meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.00p.m., and members are warmly welcomed to attend. Please contact Liz Sheedy on 5331 4964 if you would like to attend a meeting.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF BCfTD

The purposes of BCfTD were identified at a Public Meeting in March 1998. Defined in the Association’s constitution, they include :

• a focus for those concerned with the preservation of residential heritage buildings, streetscapes and parklands in the City of Ballarat
• a resource for individuals faced with developments in their neighbourhood
• a collective body to communicate with Local and State Governments on planning issues and regulations to protect streetscapes and parklands and promote thoughtful development

These purposes are as relevant today as they were at the time of BCfTD’s formation.

BCfTD is not opposed to development, however considers that to complement the special character of Ballarat’s older urban areas, new developments need to consider

• sympathetic design
• quality construction
• neighbours rights to privacy, light and access   
• the appeal of our city to residents, visitors and investors

REVIEW OF 2005-6

Ballarat Heritage Study of 2002 was finally adopted by the Ballarat City Council on 12 July 2006. This provides heritage protection for the 19 precincts included in the study by incorporating amendment C58 into the Ballarat Planning Scheme. It also adopts Heritage Victoria’s  Guidelines for the Assessment of Heritage Planning Applications,  guidelines to be followed in approving new developments, The guidelines aim to ensure that new development is respectful of surrounding heritage buildings. 

On 9 August Council adopted a further Heritage Precincts Study that extended the work of the 2002 study. The motion asked the Minister for Planning to prepare an amendment to the Planning scheme and to extend interim heritage protection to the six precincts, but in the same motion to remove protection from four properties – one in Colpin Ave., one in Wendouree Parade and two in Macarthur Street. This was a lamentable decision, and I wrote to all councillors, to the Minister for Planning, and to the Courier about the hypocrisy of the decision and the terrible precedent it sets.

This has involved us in a discussion, rapidly escalating into a dispute, with Westfarmers over their proposal to build a Bunnings Superstone in Creswick Road, which would extend through into the Macarthur Street Heritage Precinct, including the demolition of two houses, identified by Wendy Jacobs as having heritage significance. We will object to the application for re-zoning of the site which must be approved before any development can proceed.

SKM Economic Benefits of Heritage Study.  CEO Richard Hancock commissioned a study early in 2006 into the Economic, Social and Cultural benefits of heritage. Why such a study was needed was unclear to us, given that the city had made a submission to the Productivity Commission on the Economic Benefits of Heritage, prepared by Doug McNeil on 1 August 2005. Apparently the  CEO had commissioned this new study leading up to the League of Historical Cities Conference, and that the focus groups had been providing some valuable input – for example that representatives of the development industry had said that an operating Heritage Special Committee was important!

The Commonwealth Bank issue dominated our time and energy in the early part of the year. At the end of January 2006 we mounted our challenge to the City of Ballarat’s decision to approve the Commonwealth Bank’s ‘façade’ to the 1960s building on the corner of Sturt and Lydiard Streets. This issue attracted a deal of media coverage, as we argued that in this special case the notion of ‘reconstruction’ of a vanished building should be pursued, given the national significance of the heritage precinct, and the fact that detailed architectural plans existed to allow a reconstruction. We collected a petition of over 3,000 signatures in support of our position ( in spite of the fact we were not allowed to publically solicit signatures)

After several delays, the date for the hearing was finally set as the last week in January 2006. With everyone away on holiday, I was tearing my hair out wondering how we could present our case, when at the eleventh hour I was put in contact withy PILCH – the Public Law Clearing House – a Melbourne-based legal organisation which assists community groups who have limited financial resources (that was us, with just over $1,000 in the bank!)  It was a gift from the heavens when I received a phone call from PILCH in mid January, saying that they thought our cause had merit and they would find a solicitor and a barrister to represent us! At incredibly short notice, Dr. Robert Dean became our champion as barrister, and we presented two expert witnesses of impeccable credentials – Professor Miles Lewis (of Melbourne University Architecture School and our founding patron) and Lorraine Huddle (former Heritage Adviser to the City of Ballarat.)  Both these wonderful people gave of their valuable time on an honorary basis, and did Ballarat’s heritage proud. The case at VCAT ran for five days, with the first day in Ballarat, followed by four days in Melbourne.  It was very intense for Anne Beggs Sunter , Brian Pola, Geoff and Nola Wallis who sat through the full hearing, along with a very conscientious young reporter from the  Courier. At the end of the week we hoped for a win – thanks to the  bbrilliant presentation of Professor Lewis, who made obvious the importance of Leonard Terry’s architectural contribution to Ballarat, and how the Commonwealth Bank must be reconstructed to restore the Terry legacy. 

Then we waited and waited, and waited…and waited. Why was it taking so long to make a decision? The panel was split? At long last the news came in September 2006. The panel had decided to allow the proposal, with some slight modifications. It came as an enormous disappointment. There is nothing more we can do, except to solicit the Bracks Government to take up this case at the World League of Historical Cities conference in Ballarat in October 2006. This could be another Dresden?

Although we appear to have lost, we can rest easy in that we did everything possible to get the CBA to consider a reconstruction. Looking back, we must compliment the zeal of Brian Pola, who had the vision of reconstruction clearly before him for many years. He worked away to get the City of Ballarat to contact the CBA asking them to do something about the ‘eyesore’ on our most prominent corner. Mayor Vendy came ‘onside’, but we did not succeed in winning the support of the City’s Heritage Adviser Vicki Johnson, who could not support the ‘reconstruction’ option. So she advocated a ‘modern treatment’ which is what we have got.
 

The 10^th World League of Historical Cities Conference will take place in Ballarat at the end of October 2006. Planning is underway for the Conference, which has adopted the theme of ‘Sustainable Historical Cities.’ Anne Beggs Sunter will present a paper at the conference on the role of citizen action groups in relation to Ballarat’s heritage. Watch out for the Heritage Festival Weekend that precedes the conference.

A plan has been presented to Council for the relocation of the Ballarat Showgrounds to an area adjacent to Victoria Park. This raises the question of what would become of the mainly Crown Land reserve on which the Showgrounds is currently situated. The State Government will need to assess this issue. It also signals the need to be wary of encroachments on the public open space of Victoria Park.

In 2005 Council adopted Blueprint Ballarat, a vision statement for the coming 25 years. Council established a Community Committee to be involved in the implementation of the Blueprint. Your President Anne Beggs Sunter was appointed to that Committee, and successfully pushed for ‘heritage legislation’ to be one of the eight priority projects of the Committee.

The Heritage Ballarat Special Committee became a matter of great concern after no meeting was held after December 2005. Your President and the Chair of the Committee, Dinah McGance, pursued this issue vigorously with officers of the Strategic Planning section of Council, and were consulted about a replacement to the former committee and drawing-up of new terms of reference. Whilst not agreeing with all the new terms of reference, we pushed for a new committee to become operative as soon as possible. In September 2006 the Council advertised for three community representatives. Ten community members applied, including three from this organisation. The Council approved  (at its late September meeting) Mr Walsh (a builder), Gwen Heinz, and Anne Beggs Sunter. There are a number of appointees to the committee from organisations – including Di Gow for the National Trust and Tony Armstrong from Heritage Victorria. The Chair of the new Heritage Committee is Cr. Herman Ruyg, and Cr. Gary Anderson is also a member.The new Heritage Advisory Committee will report to the new Planning Committee of Council which will meet on the second week of the month to consider planning issues.

Heritage Achievements of 2006

The Mechanics Institute, almost next door to the Unicorn, has however undergone a transformation, with the re-rendering and painting of the façade, and current work to remodel the entrance foyer, and reconstruct the original verandah. The Committee deserves our warmest praise.  The  sensitive restoration of this building stands in marked contrast to its neighbour, the former Unicorn Hotel.

St. Alipius Catholic Church in Ballarat East has undergone a total restoration, from the roof to the interior. Directing the restoration was heritage architect Richard Faulkinder, who brought a team of quality artisans to work on the project, including stonemasons, plasterers, carpenters and painters. Here is a wonderful example of a community group undertaking a major enhancement of the heritage fabric of Ballarat  without any financial assistance from any level of government. 

Heritage Incentives Fund Some major commercial buildings in the heart of Ballarat have been enhanced with grants from the City of Ballarat. These include the repainting of the facades of the Leonard Terry banks in Lydiard Street North, and the Myer emporium in Sturt Street. This funding program was originally suggested to Council by our own Liz Sheedy in July 2004, when Council agreed to set aside funds on the basis of $1 for every $3 expended by owners in heritage precincts, up to a maximum of $25,000.

Craig’s Hotel has undergone a total interior restoration to Victorian era grandure. Owner John Finning has spent two years and much money on the work, which will make Craig’s into a showcase once again.

Watching Briefs

The former Unicorn Hotel continues to cause concern, falling into greater disrepair in spite of the promise given some years ago to restore the verandah and front part of the building. In 2005 Ki Lin Pty Ltd (director Noel Dobbyn) purchased the building and plans for the restoration of the façade were approved by Heritage Victoria, and a Heritage Incentives Fund grant allocated to the work. Sadly nothing has happened by the first week in October!

Victoria Park and the ambitions of the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society

Loreto School and Convent in Dawson Street has been advertised for sale. A problem is that the precinct is not included in a heritage precinct! 

The Uniting Church has announced a number of its churches in Ballarat have become redundant and will be disposed of. Among the treasures are Lydiard St. Wesley (in the Lydiard St. Heritage Precinct), Neil St. Wesley (in Soldier’s Hill Heritage Precinct) and Barkley St. Methodist (in Ballarat East Heritage Precinct). These three churches have a rich history and all have magnicifent pipe organs which have featured at performances of the Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival.

Ballarat Golf Club re-development has suggested the demolition of the circa 1920 Golf House. Dinah McGance and Anne Beggs Sunter expressed concern to council officers that this area is not part of a heritage precinct, and that the site is incredibly sensitive because of its proximity to the Arch of Victory. 

Former Ham and Bacon factory in Eureka Street has been sold and is scheduled for a residential development

Re-location of the Ballarat freight yards will free up land at the Ballarat Railway Station precinct. There is dispute about what should happen to that land – open space, car parking, units?

Civic Hall redevelopment. Council received eight proposals for re-development, only two of which involved retention of the 1950s Civic Hall designed by Ken Coburn, an important Ballarat architect of the 1920s to 1950s period.