The Bridge Mall redevelopment officially opens

Hundreds of community members and traders have celebrated the official opening of the Bridge Mall redevelopment.

The opening of the $23.3 million redevelopment – fully funded by the City of Ballarat – has been marked with a fun-filled community celebration featuring a cavalcade of vintage and modern cars, and carnival-themed festivities with roving entertainment.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, and Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor, joined the community, Bridge Mall Business Association traders and businesses, civil infrastructure and landscape contractor 2Construct and landscape architects Hassell to mark the occasion.

The shopping and celebrations are set to continue on Sunday 16 March.

The Bridge Mall is designed to be a flexible space and host events as a pedestrian only area or to be a vibrant retail street. The carriageway remained in event mode for Saturday’s festivities and will be open as a shared zone, slow speed street from Sunday 16 March.

The redevelopment has already led to new investment in the Bridge Mall, with the redevelopment of Norwich Plaza underway and new businesses opening, including Timezone, the Darrell Lea Ballarat Chocolate Experience Store, Flying Chillies, C Store Asian Grocery, Duffs Jewellers and JM Leech Jewellers.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said there have been a range of positive outcomes, with vacancy rates reducing from about 30 vacant shops before the project to just 10 afterwards while traders have also reported a decline in anti-social behaviour.

“The renewed Bridge Mall is a hub of activity – supporting local traders, attracting more investment and providing a space where people can meet, shop, dine and be together,” she said.

“It is fantastic to see that this revitalisation project is bringing new investment into the mall and providing economic benefits to our city.

“This redevelopment is a statement of our confidence in Ballarat’s future.”  

Bridge Mall Business Association representative Polly Stringer said it was great to see so many of the community celebrating the opening and enjoying the space, supporting local small business.

“We are looking forward to future opportunities as an event space all while building a stronger retail precinct connected to the CBD,” she said.

“The opening has demonstrated what a wonderful space it is for the community to gather, enjoy and shop the many local, national, food and retail and businesses.

“The future is very exciting for Shop the Bridge and the CBD. We are very grateful for the investment and support.”

Hassell Associate Adam Gardner said it was important to create a space for the Bridge Mall that adapts and responds to changing demands, occupations and ecologies.

“The Bridge Mall redevelopment project transforms a once declining economic precinct into an authentic, resilient and activated civic meeting place,” he said.

“By reconfiguring traffic movement, the project prioritises pedestrianisation and connectivity, delivering a vibrant, open and accessible public space – a place for people.”

2Construct Director and Construction Manager, Hamish McPherson, thanked the City of Ballarat for entrusting 2Construct with the responsibility of bringing the Bridge Mall to life.

“I would also like to thank all of the stakeholders and local traders for their patience and assistance throughout the construction phase,” he said.

The Bridge Mall redevelopment features:

• A landscaped entry into the mall
• A portal view to the Yarrowee, connecting people with the river below their feet
• Reflections of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ history and culture
• About 20 new short-term car parks for pick-up and drop-off
• Smart lighting on building facades
• A dynamic new play space
• Plenty of new seating, gathering spaces and plantings
• Bollards providing easy mall closure for events, markets and performances
• A shared zone with a 10km/h speed limit, noting vehicles must give way to all pedestrians at all times
• Better connections to cycling paths, including the Sturt Street shared path, and
• Improved traffic flow through the Grenville and Sturt Street intersection.

The Bridge Mall redevelopment is a key project of the City of Ballarat’s Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan.  

The Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan is the first step in revitalising the Ballarat CBD and aims to reinvigorate the area as a vibrant destination for shoppers, diners, residents and visitors.

Connect with Bridge Mall businesses via shopthebridge.com.au.

The Bridge Mall redevelopment demonstrates that the City of Ballarat is committed to delivering a better Ballarat.