Thursday, 4 May 2023

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:49): (154) My question is to the Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, and it relates to the construction of an athletes village on the old Ballarat saleyards site. My question to the minister is: is the government planning on constructing a permanent set of structures on the site, or is the government planning to construct less permanent portable structures? Given the site has been an active saleyards in recent history and has been subject to contamination, the construction of portable structures would mean less disturbance of the soil, and it might also be a cheaper alternative for a cash-strapped government. The Ballarat community has a right to know what they can expect to see on the site in the future, whether it is going to be permanent or not. The response I often hear is, ‘We’re working on the detail,’ but I just hope that I get a simple response about what the style of the building will be and the type of building that it will be.

Harriet Shing: I am here for you, Mr McCracken.

Joe McCRACKEN: Thank you. I really hope you are here for the Ballarat community as well.