Lake Blitz

Chair
Cr David Vendy, former Mayor

Task Team
Tony Chew, Noel Coxall, Peter Dwyer, David Edwards, David Hay, Erin Jamieson, Bill Mundy, Ian Rossiter, George Sossi, Craig Whitfield

Key Issues
Lake Wendouree, together with its foreshore and associated facilities, provides a very important public open space and a significant
recreational, social, environmental and aesthetic asset for residents. It also contributes significant iconic value to the city of Ballarat.
Given this, the current condition of the foreshore is unacceptable. The development of high-quality facilities will enhance Ballarat’s
reputation as a meeting place for families, groups, etcetera, therefore improving the liveability and economy of the city.

Lake Wendouree is an important tourist facility that draws visitors to Ballarat and allows them to spend additional time in the city at no cost. It should be recognised and valued as an icon and an asset of national renown.

Key Objectives
To work collaboratively with City of Ballarat and The Lake Foundation to develop the Lake Wendouree foreshore to the standard that is expected of a major public asset. This will involve funding, coordinating and implementing the recommendations contained in
the Lake Wendouree Landscape Master Plan, building on the recent work of The Lake Foundation.

To improve infrastructure in the lake precinct for tourists and residents.

Outcomes (reported June 2007)
The task team implemented the Lake Blitz initiative and marketing campaign to raise the awareness and profile of the master plan
and secure funding.

The funds raised by Lake Blitz were used to rejuvenate visitor facilities, support the gradual replacement of the treescape, protect the environmental value, improve the quality of passive recreational pursuits and improve the linkages between the various attractions within the precinct. The precinct is a major point of difference between Ballarat and many other Australian cities.

Lake Blitz encompassed the erection of View Point Boardwalk. Approximately 1,700 boards were made available for sale and individuals, companies, community groups, etcetera were encouraged to etch their name in a piece of Ballarat’s heritage.

Following an extensive marketing and sales campaign, Committee for Ballarat handed the project over to City of Ballarat and The Lake Foundation (in June 2008) to oversee the construction of the boardwalk and completion of the master plan. We believe the success of the project will be measured by community feedback when the master plan is fully implemented.