Opinion pieces

As crucial as the Games are, we cannot afford to miss the mark on legacy. As a region, we must prioritise the absolute key legacy projects, then consistently and vociferously advocate to Government and the Commonwealth Games authorities to ensure they do not get lost in tight budgets and short timelines. Read more

2022 was always going to be a unique year. You have to go back to 2010 when there was both a Federal and Victorian State election in the same year. Whilst it’s a fact that may be of interest to election enthusiasts, it is so much more than just two Saturdays at the polling booths. Elections are our opportunity to help shape the lives we lead and the communities we live in. Read more

The Commonwealth Games Athletes Village can be the impetus igniting the Bakery Hill Vision and breathing new life into our CBD. Imagine; our inner city that features open space and parklands where we can meet, play and walk bare-foot among the trees. Curious laneways to explore, creative ventures, fully occupied retail shops and vibrant hospitality venues open into the evening. Undercover access to the supermarkets and rather than dominating the streetscapes, they nestle subtly into a broader build environment. Read more

We need to seize the opportunity growth provides and plan now to ensure growth does not come at the expense of our liveability. We can continue to be recognised as one of Australia’s most desirable regional communities and have a growing population. Read more

It is astonishing to know that we have now reached 90% double dose for the Victorian population 12 years and over. We have built a ‘force field’ that will help protect us, protect our health care system, and ease the potential for any further widespread lockdowns. Read more

Connectivity is a critical enabler for business, industry, and the community. The airport, in the short, medium and long term, gives us a very unique opportunity to connect road, rail and air, geographically and logistically, in ways that other regionals cities in Victoria cannot. Read more

As we endure our fourth lock-down, it is easy to be consumed by negativity and a temptation to look for someone to blame. To be clear, being where we are, again, is not what any of us wanted and will have devastating impacts for so many in our community. We have seen this movie before and we didn’t like it. Read more

Committee for Ballarat has been vocal in backing the MARL with the preferred option of a designated tunnel for airport and regional trains from the cities of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton.  This is not what the government has announced, so what’s next? Read more

Published 1 June 2020, The Courier, Ballarat We are living in unprecedented times. We are enduring hardships that we haven’t seen since our grandparents endured World War 2. The pandemic descended on us with little time to prepare. Unemployment is at a record high, our federal government is set to return the highest deficit in […] Read more

Published 17 May 2020, The Courier, Ballarat Many of us will have pondered over recent weeks what our world, our country, our region and our way of life will look like after COVID-19. I live on the edge of a park and have been buoyed by the number of people now walking, cycling and enjoying […] Read more