We are appealing to VCAT to save Ballarat's Heritage!

It's decided! Our VCAT Appeal Hearing was 3 days from 22nd to 24th of July. Our expert witness spoke convincingly and we achieved a result which while not a total success did at least result in the permit being altered to reduce the height of the building fronting on to Mair Street from 5 storeys down to 4 storeys. The 6 storey section of the building fronting onto Armstrong Street will also be reduced in height by a small amount 1.75 metres. We have shown the Ballarat Council that we are not going to accept higher buildings without a fight, especially in our Heritage Precincts. Council in approving this threat to our heritage city ignored their own CBD Strategy which designates this area as one for ‘buildings up to 4 storeys’ and also says that within heritage areas ‘new buildings should be lower at the facade than the parapet height of any adjoining heritage building’. They also ignored the view of their Heritage advisor who said “The overall height is considered excessive for this location” and the Planning Scheme which requires them to consider ‘Whether the location, bulk, form and appearance of the proposed building is in keeping with the character and appearance of adjacent buildings and the heritage place.’ Stand by for the next fight to preserve our heritage!