OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD - BUNINYONG

Making BuninyongWhen it comes to prioritising projects, no one knows better what is needed at the local level than the locals. That’s the philosophy behind the City of Ballarat’s Engaging Communities Program.

Last year, Council invested $300,000 into community-led projects in Miners Rest, Learmonth and Buninyong, designed to strengthen community links and build local community confidence.

The Buninyong Community Action Team was created in August 2013 and has supported projects including the new Men’s Shed and Youth Space.

The good news is a further $300,000 will be invested in Miners Rest, Learmonth and Buninyong in the City of Ballarat’s 2014/15 Budget.

New Community

Resource Centre A new resource centre is planned for Buninyong. Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd, the locally-owned company that runs the Community Bank in Buninyong, has purchased the old miner’s cottage at 407 Warrenheip Street, Buninyong (opposite the Old Library).

The company plans to open a Resource Centre for community use. The space will be available to clubs, associations and youth groups for meetings, education and training opportunities.

The Community Bank will run a series of community engagement activities on the Resource Centre project, inviting ideas, suggestions and expressions of interest for its use and informing the community of progress. Interested individuals or groups are invited to contact the Community Bank Board for information on the new Resource Centre.

The centre has four rooms with a central corridor, and an additional large open room, with rear access from Union Street. The Leigh Catchment Landcare team office will be retained at the site. Repair and refurbishment of the building will begin in August.

Want to know more? Contact the Community Bank Chairman Steve Falconer at 5341 3096 or email stephen.falconer@ctemail.net.au

New Community Resource

Plans for Desoza ParkA small group of residents are working with City of Ballarat staff to develop ideas and concept plans for Desoza Park, with the intent to have a Master Plan available for public comment in September.

The group is keen to see:• Existing toilets replaced,• Improved play equipment for children,• Adventure play spaces,• Relocation of the sound shell for entertainment,• Historical feature with a poppet head incorporated,• Retention of spaces for contemplation and reflection, enhanced by water or natural features; and• New interpretive signage.

Want to know more? Contact City of Ballarat Community Engagement Officer Graeme Kent at 5320 5861 or email graemekent@ballarat.vic.gov.au

Through the significant financial support of the Buninyong Community Bank, the area will be transformed into an exciting space for skaters of all abilities to grind, carve, ollie, kickflip or noseslide.

New skate facility Young people have had a small skate space to use in Buninyong for some time, but over the years the facility has lost its appeal and challenge to many users. Through the support of experienced skaters and research in latest trends, this space will be totally redesigned and developed, based on street obstacles.

Artist Impression

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD - BUNINYONG

Buninyong Men’s ShedAfter months of planning the members of the Buninyong Men’s Shed are making use of their exciting new space.

Minister Mary Wooldridge attended the site in late July to announce $60,000 in State Government funding. The Bendigo Bank and the Buninyong Community Reference Team, through the City of Ballarat’s Engaging Communities Program, will also help fund the new facility.

Once fit out is completed, it is hoped membership will grow enabling men from across Buninyong to become involved.

Want to know more or interested in joining the Men’s Shed?

Contact Bill Jolly at 5341 2068 or 0414 717 507 or David Searle at 0410 009 000.

Library Services on your doorstep Did you know the Library Outreach Van visits Buninyong every Saturday between 9.30am and 12.30pm at the Uniting Church Hall in Learmonth Street?

The City of Ballarat’s Library Outreach Service provides the Buninyong community with a fresh collection of adult, young adult and junior fiction, as well as picture books, non-fiction, magazines and CDs, DVDs and talking books.

There is also a four-week rotation of Duplo, musical instruments, wooden blocks, and puppets for children.

Library Outreach staff also offer online Family History training where residents can use various resources including TROVE, Public Record Office Victoria online resources, Find My Past and Ancestry.com, the Australian War Memorial website and newspapers. Want to know more?Call the Ballarat Library at 5338 6800 or chat to the Library Outreach officer.

Mt Innes

Improving Mt InnesLocal residents and the Friends of the Buninyong Botanic Gardens are passionate about making Mt Innes a more appealing space for the community and visitors.

Originally Mt Innes was created as a memorial to the Buninyong residents who fought in the Great War. A number of trees were planted to create a space for reflection and passive recreation, with further plantings and memorials installed after World War II.

Sadly, in recent years a number of trees have died and the memorials have been damaged, leaving the park in need of work.

The park, also referred to as Birdwood Park, is located on the popular Mount Buninyong Walking Trail, providing a unique view of the town.

A plan for the site has been developed and will guide future activities.

The City of Ballarat will ensure the location is included in its park maintenance programs, and local residents and interested community groups are encouraged to be actively involved.

Want to be involved? Contact Roger Permezel at rpermezel@optus.com.au

Buninyong is home to a new Youth Activity Space, featuring Parkour equipment, on the corner of Inglis and Forest streets. Funded by the City of Ballarat and the State Government, the space also includes a pump BMX track.

What is Parkour?Parkour (obstacle court) is the French physical discipline of fast and efficient Spiderman-style movement through obstacles. Invented in the 80’s, local young people now have the opportunity to learn, develop and explore their skills as ‘traceurs’. New signage at the site includes a signage and a QR code, linked to a visual demonstration of how to use each piece of equipment.

What is a Pump Track?The pump track has been designed and built by local young people supported by Trent Johnson from the Buninyong Trials Experience Bike Shop. Pump tracks are man-made closed circuits designed to be ridden with pedalling. The track delivers a complete workout as riders use their body to pump—or push down into the dip after an elevation and pull up before the crest of a mound—throughout the continuous loop. By absorbing and compressing a bike over rollers, riders convert gravitational force and downward thrust into speed.

Pump tracks were first designed by professional bike racers to advance their skills and racing times. Now Buninyong’s youngest residents can develop skills on their own track.

NEW YOUTH ACTIVITY SPACE

You’re invited! Squaring the Wheel, is an energetic and humorous performance full of twists and surprises, coming to Buninyong on Friday 26 September. Bringing together circus skills, puppetry and magic the show explores themes including loneliness, friendship and creativity, and is the perfect activity for the family during the school holidays.

Presented by Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Buninyong Lions Club, two performances will be held at the Buninyong Town Hall on Friday 26 September at 6pm.

Speed limit changes VicRoads recently lowered the speed limit in Learmonth and Warrenheip Streets, Buninyong. With the reduction to 50km, pedestrians now have safer access from either side of the roads. New line markings in Warrenheip Street provide a pedestrian refuge for those parking and for crossing to the shops on the eastern side of the street.

Tickets are available from the Her Majesty’s Theatre box office, 17 Lydiard Street or online at www.hermaj.com Cost: Family $50 (two adults and two children), adults $20 and children $12.

Follow us on facebookKeen to know more about what’s happening in the Buninyong community? Like our Making Buninyong facebook page and keep up-to-date – www.facebook.com/MakingBuninyong

Apply now for a Community Impact Grant The City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP) welcomes applications year round with grant money allocated every month.

Not for profit community organisations, groups and associations may apply for grant funding for projects, events, exhibitions and performances that

contribute to a vibrant community for the City of Ballarat.

The CIGP encourages organisations to build community relations, create connections and improve health and wellbeing opportunities in Ballarat.

The CIGP guidelines and application forms are available at Council’s Customer Service Centre, The Phoenix or at www.ballarat.com.au

PROJECTS UPDATED

Open House a successLocals were invited to share their ideas, suggestions and plans for Buninyong at an Open House session hosted by the City of Ballarat in May.

More than 150 people met with City of Ballarat staff from departments including Community Care and Access, Customer Service, Learning and Diversity, Sport and Recreation, Community Engagement and Emergency Management.

Another Open House will be held in Spring.

Buninyong Bowling Club Redevelopment A $500,000 upgrade project at the Buninyong Bowling Club commenced in May with works expected to be completed at the end of September, ready for the 2014/15 bowling season. The project included the demolition of the current club rooms and the construction of a brand new club facility including social space, kitchen, bar, office and amenities. The project is funded by Council and the Buninyong Bowling Club.

Buninyong Swimming Pool The City of Ballarat has completed a $40,000 upgrade to the Buninyong Swimming Pool. The project includes:• Painting of the external pool buildings and interior of the change rooms;• Improved change rooms lighting;• New BBQ;• New bin surrounds; and • Eight new bench seats.