There are more pix there as well as + an article by Jon Stanger
21 October 2013
New Group will Save Civic Hall
Around 200 people spilled
out of the Ballarat Library meeting room on Sunday, forming a group to save the
Civic Hall from demolition as currently proposed by the City of Ballarat.
Participants agreed on the
beginnings of an alternative vision for Ballarat Civic Hall, which was
unanimously decided should remain primarily for the use and benefit of the
community.
The meeting was chaired by
Jon Stanger. Speakers included historians, planners, academics, professionals
and writers. Anne Beggs-Sunter talked about the heritage value of the Civic
Hall and the long history of Council’s various decisions, commissioned plans
and reports on the Civic Hall.
Michael Wilson, President of
the Ballarat Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc informed the meeting that
BRRA is willing to auspice the new group. Mr Wilson outlined the major concerns
of BRRA, including the failure of Council to listen to the community.
Ailsa Brackley du Bois reported on a recent forum HeritageConservation as Environmental Conservation sponsored by University of
Melbourne & the Heritage Council of Victoria.
“The most contemporary, cutting edge and common sense approach is to
make the most of the existing building stock we already have,” said Ms Brackley
du Bois. “Environmentally and economically this is the smartest thing to do.”
Ms Brackley du Bois said adaptive re-use was the popular approach around
the world and the key message was to find “new tricks with old bricks”.
Former senior officer at Ballarat City Council Ron Egeberg encouraged
people to sign the petition at savecivichall.com and urged more people to
become involved.
The group was reminded by Jonathan Halls that Council’s actions over the
Civic Hall are not compatible with democratic or local government principles.
At the 2 ½ hour meeting many sub-groups were formed
to discuss and plan further action in the areas of activation of the Civic Hall, adaptive reuse and alternatives,
tourism, governance, communications /media, fundraising, indigenous and youth
involvement.
A committee was formed to coordinate ongoing activities, including
leaders of the various sub-groups. The committee will meet again this week and
all residents are encouraged to get involved by signing the petition at
savecivichall.com
______________________________________________________________________
For additional information or images please contact:
Merle Hathaway
0419 324042
merle.hathaway@bigpond.com
Merle Hathaway
0419 324042
merle.hathaway@bigpond.com
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