Support for Bridge Mall Traders to Update their Shopfronts

The City of Ballarat is working in partnership with Bridge Mall and Bakery Hill traders to help make improvements to their buildings to complement changes under the precinct’s exciting Renewal Plan.

The City has allocated $400,000 from the Bakery Hill Business Support Package which is available to all properties in the Bridge Mall for the duration of construction works.

The Façade Restoration Grant aims to create a more interesting, appealing streetscape to help attract people and business to the precinct as part of a $15million Council- funded rejuvenation of Bridge Mall, one of Ballarat’s oldest commercial retail areas. The grant operates on a dollar for dollar funding contribution from applicants to the value of $10,000 per application.

Examples of improvement include:
•    Façade painting and façade lighting to exterior walls, windows, doors, entrance ways
•    New, repairs and replacements of verandahs
•    Repairs to structural façade elements and awnings
•    Minor repairs, maintenance or reinstatement of missing exterior architectural and/or artistic features.

The City is also supporting and encouraging the redevelopment and reuse of upper levels in the Bridge Mall, assisting owners to convert these spaces into dwellings or other uses.

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said there was a range of assistance available to Bridge Mall traders to assist with improvements including a free heritage conservation advisory service, low interest heritage restoration loans and a streamlined permit approvals process.

“The Façade Restoration Grant provides an opportunity for a series of small changes that will have a big impact in the Bridge Mall,” he said.

“This redevelopment is a huge undertaking and change for  many traders and we want to ensure that we work alongside them to help re-build  a vibrant  shopping and trading experience that is respectful of the Mall’s history but modern in its approach to changing consumer and visitor expectations.”