Designs and Construction | Bridge Street Mall Development
The Designs
The Ballarat community helped shape the final designs for the Bridge Street redevelopment.
Ideas from the community were captured in a co-design process, including the embedding of First Nations stories into the streetscape, adding new facilities, limited parking and better accessibility for people of all abilities.
The final designs demonstrate how bollards can be used to block off vehicle access as needed, particularly for markets, festivals and events. There are also opportunities for outdoor dining.
Façade projects will use the buildings in Bridge Street as a canvas for creative activations.
The Bridge Street play space
The concept designs for the play space create a key drawcard for families and carers, encouraging more people to meet, stay and play.
Inspired by a bridge-like structure, the designs feature gold and transparent white quartz colours to represent our gold rush past and provides multiple levels of access, challenge and playful adventure for children of all abilities.
The play space protects children with a barrier integrated into the design, providing a secure zone for play and exploration. The space can also be illuminated, helping to transform the precinct after dusk.
Who we are working with
The Bridge Street Mall Development Project includes stakeholders across our city and beyond.
The Bridge Street Mall Traders Association is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. The City of Ballarat is working closely with the association to make sure local businesses are supported throughout the project.
The City of Ballarat is also seeking input from our community through regular consultations on design and development to ensure that all members of the community are part of the project.
Statutory bodies like the Victorian Planning Authority are also an important part of this project and are informed and involved in all necessary steps of the development.
Multidisciplinary architecture, design and urban planning practice Hassell are the main designers and project consultants for the project. They handle designing and driving the creative parts of the project.
Project Timeline
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2016 |
2017 – 2021 Council Plan – Key action – Development of Bakery Hill Masterplan |
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August 2018 |
City of Ballarat receives funding for three Ballarat projects:
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Nov - Dec 2018 |
Face-to-face forums and online engagement to clarify and understand the community’s aspirations. |
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February 2019 |
Public report: Response to feedback on the Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan |
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March - May 2019 |
Bakery Hill and Bridge Street Mall Master Plan consultation. Shop front in Bridge Mall opened to gather further feedback and supply information to the public. Community Working Group formed. |
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May 2019 |
Council resolution to budget $15 million to Stage 1 of Bakery Hill renewal. (R110/19) |
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August 2019 |
Initial Artist Impressions released Response to draft Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan |
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October 2019 |
Council adopts Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan and approves Bridge Street Mall Development as key project within the Plan - approved introduction of traffic to Bridge Street Mall (R274/19) |
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December 2019 |
Design companies invited to submit EOIs |
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January 2020 |
Three design companies shortlisted. |
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April 2020 |
Landscape architects Hassell appointed. |
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July 2020 |
Community consultation begins. |
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March 2021 |
Precinct Plan endorsed by Council. |
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June 2022 |
Preliminary works underway, including soil and ground testing. |
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July 2022 |
Final designs unveiled. |
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Second half of 2022 |
Tender documentation finalised Call for expression of interest from contractors |
| 2023 |
Major civil works commence |
