March 2025 Council meeting recap

The following officer reports were among the items considered at a Ballarat City Council meeting on 26 March, 2025.

Appeal of permit for the Lydiard Street Railway Gates to Heritage Council  

The report informed Council about the process and costs associated with appealing Heritage Victoria’s permit to allow for the indefinite retention of mechanical boom gates at the Lydiard Street level crossing, while restoring and statically displaying two original timber gate panels and associated structures.  

Council considered whether to pursue an appeal against this decision which would require the submission of a written request and a hearing application by 8 April 2025, along with a fee estimated between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the total project cost.  

The Heritage Council may then conduct a hearing and issue a determination within 60 days.

The appeal process also entails additional expenses, including approximately $10,000 for independent expert evidence and $25,000 to $35,000 for legal representation.  

Council elected to pursue with an appeal.

Tenders for Kerbside Glass Bin supply and Kerbside Organics Processing  

The City of Ballarat is progressing with two key waste management initiatives – the introduction of a kerbside glass collection service and the expansion of its green waste service to include food organics (FOGO).  

In line with the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, Council has planned a monthly kerbside glass bin service starting in November 2025.  

A tender was issued for the supply of approximately 51,000 mobile garbage bins to support this transition, with a total project budget of $2.3 million.  

Mastec Australia Pty Ltd as Trustee for WRS Trust was awarded the contract for this supply.

Simultaneously, Council is preparing to upgrade its current green waste service to a full FOGO system, allowing food and garden organics to be processed into sustainable end-use products.  

A tender for the processing contract was issued in November 2024, with four submissions received and evaluated. The contract is set for an initial three-year period, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.  

Ballarat City Council awarded this contract to Green Care Mulching Pty Ltd.

Both initiatives align with the City of Ballarat’s commitment to improving waste management and sustainability.  

Ballarat Public Holiday  

Ballarat City Council has elected to continue with Melbourne Cup Day being the allocated public holiday for the municipality from 2025 to 2029.  

Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, non-metropolitan councils can substitute Melbourne Cup Day with another day or two half-days. Ballarat has previously observed different public holidays, with Ballarat Show Day being the preferred choice before 2020. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Council reverted to Melbourne Cup Day from 2020 onwards.  

A review of Victorian municipalities shows that most non-metropolitan councils do not substitute Melbourne Cup Day, with only five out of 48 choosing an alternative.

Council supported this recommendation.

Yangzhou 10th Anniversary of Friendship City  

Council considered a report regarding the future of the Friendship City agreement between Ballarat and Yangzhou, China.  

Established in 2015 and renewed in 2019, the agreement aims to foster economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between the two cities.  

While significant cultural exchanges have occurred, including delegations and discussions on economic development and cultural heritage, no clear economic or trade objectives have been implemented.  

Yangzhou has formally invited Ballarat to visit in September 2025 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the agreement and renew it. The estimated cost for a Councillor and an officer to attend is $7,000, with the possibility of additional attendees from Ballarat’s Chinese cultural associations covering their own costs.

Council considered three options

• send a delegation and renew the agreement
• renew it without travel
• or formally conclude the partnership.  

Cr Des Hudson moved a motion to send a delegation comprising of the Mayor or delegate, a Council Officer, and the option of an additional Councillor to Yangzhou China in 2025 to mark the 10th anniversary of the friendship and to sign a new agreement between the two cities.

Given the historical ties and the ongoing cultural exchanges, Council elected to sign a new agreement and send a delegation.