The next part of the MR Power Park Masterplan is commencing now. The installation of a water drainage basin near Morgan Street has commenced.
The basin is the starting point to the wetlands and boardwalk at MR Power Park and is implementing the Ballarat West Precinct Structure Plan. This plan provides direction for future urban development within the west of Ballarat.
The total cost for the project is $6.1 million, comprising developer contributions and the City of Ballarat Budget 2018/19 to fund the construction of a water retention basin to assist the community with stormwater runoff and flooding reduction.
While serving as essential water retention and local flood mitigation purpose, the works also offer an opportunity to activate the space from a community and conservation perspective. The initiative received widespread support during the community engagement process.
This will also pave the way for Morgan Street (between Crown Street and Grant Street) to be widened and raised. It will allow for more traffic, assist in water flow to the drainage basin, and decrease flooding events.
As part of the early works before commencing the drainage basin and road earthworks, approximately 36 cypress trees will be removed on the southern side of Morgan Street, Sebastopol, per the City of Ballarat Tree Management Plan 2018-2022.
The City of Ballarat tree management team will oversee the trees’ removal, and neighbouring properties have been advised.
The works will commence on 5 December 2022, and the drainage basin and road works will continue in 2023.
Relocation of power infrastructure will be undertaken by Powercor after the tree removal and is anticipated to be complete in March 2023.
This will enable pipe installation to commence in February 2023. It will allow for water flow into the MR Power Park drainage basin from Crown Street and Kossuth Street.
What is happening in MR Power Park?
Excavation of the drainage basin is likely to commence in early 2023, making way for landscaping works.
The road raising of Morgan Street (between Crown Street and Grant Street) is due to commence in 2023. The road raising will include new kerbs and footpaths.
Traffic management has been in place on Morgan Street since Monday, 5 December 2022. It is intended to minimise disruption to the residents.
The MR Power Park drainage basin delivery is part of the long-standing Ballarat West Precinct Structure Plan.
Implementation works will be funded by the City of Ballarat using developer contributions raised under the Ballarat West Development Contributions Plan. This plan provides a vision for the sustainable development of Ballarat’s west.
Development contribution plans make possible the development and timely delivery of infrastructure to new communities in the Ballarat West Growth Area to create liveability, connectivity, and social well-being. Development contributions fund major infrastructure projects such as drainage, roads, intersections, and recreational open spaces.
The City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson, said it was great to see the commencement of early works at MR Power Park. He is looking forward to the works moving forward next year.
“It is a great opportunity to activate the space for the community whilst mitigating future flooding risks,” he said.
“MR Power Park is a well-used recreation area in Sebastopol. Being able to improve the infrastructure surrounding it will be a real benefit to the users of the park.
“The delivery of key infrastructure in a timely and efficient manner is fundamental to sustainable outcomes in urban growth areas such as Ballarat West.”
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