Why an Events Platform at MARS Stadium Matters
Committee for Ballarat
Our Purpose is to Inspire Diverse Thought Leadership and Unlock Potential to ensure our regional community thrives.
We know Ballarat continues to be a growing regional city and that the best outcomes for growth are achieved when we plan well for it. We also know that Ballarat’s population growth to the north of MARS stadium as part of the Northern Growth Zone will be significant with 20,000+ residents living there within the next 5-10 years.
The Commonwealth Games provides a unique opportunity for us to build transport infrastructure that will service a rapidly growing region AND will service an Events Precinct that will host millions of visitors for sports, cultural, arts and entertainment events for decades to come.
The stadium will have capacity for 15-20,000 spectators long after the Commonwealth Games have left town. An events platform at the stadium will service the many events that will be hosted at MARS and will provide a critical transport option for those attending, relieving the pressures on the precinct that we know all-too-well when the AFL comes to play.
This is as much about Ballarat’s growth as it is about the Commonwealth Games. We currently have two railway stations to service a region that is home to more than 170,000 people.
An events platform at MARS stadium will
? relieve pressure on Wendouree and Ballarat stations
? reduce traffic congestion and demand for parking in the CBD
? provide a commuter option for Ballarat residents to access our city center directly for residents in the north, especially for those who can’t, don’t, or choose not to drive
? activate the Maryborough line and provide enhanced transport options for the communities of Creswick, Clunes and Talbot
领英推è
? AND provide a much-needed transport option for MARS stadium that will greatly enhance the games experience for spectators and for every event into the future.
We note Jacinta Allen’s comments. If there has been planning work done for an events platform, and if that planning work has concluded that the timelines and costs that make this unrealistic, then we call on the Office of the Commonwealth Games to release that work and engage fully with our community to determine how we will move people around for the games. Buses can not be the only option.
We need to build over 2000 beds in Ballarat for the Athletes Village in the 1000 days before the Games commence, surely building an events platform is not so complicated that it can’t be achieved in that same time frame.
If the Government is serious about Commonwealth Games Legacy and if they are serious about ensuring our regional city’s growth is planned well, then the Events Platform at the stadium is a key piece of transport infrastructure.
It’s hard to imagine our city without Wendouree station. We want to look back in 10 years time and see a highly functional Eureka Stadium station and say, how could we imagine our city without it!
Government Employee at Public Service
1 å¹´While the opportunity for hosting the Commonwealth Games has been dashed, the need for the establishment of an Events Platform at Eureka (Mars) Stadium to compliment the now proposed next stage development of the Stadium and its wider precinct is probably more critical. If a Level 1 Athletics facility is to be built at the Ballarat Showgrounds, then it is likely that Ballarat will become the Number 2 Athletics hub in Victoria with the possibility of attracting major competition events. This coupled with the proposed expansion of the existing football/cricket stadium to 16,000 capacity adds weight to the argument that an Events Platform will attract train passengers and reduce the number of cars parking around the stadium precinct during major events. The proposed expansion of Eureka Stadium to its "Legacy" configuration would only see increased usage potential for the facility not only for increased AFL opportunities but also potentially Big bash Cricket games in Summer. Premier Allan previously argued that it wasn't feasible to build the platform in time for the 2026 Comm Games. Now that this event has been cancelled and time constraints eased, Ballarat has a strong case to advocate for the building of the platform by 2027/28.
Finance, Strategy, Systems & Governance
1 å¹´It isn't just about people living in the locality , but also working and recreating. We need to provide a reliable alternative to driving cars everywhere for local travel.