March 14th, 2025Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment official opening tomorrow
Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment will officially open with a fun-filled community celebration tomorrow, Saturday March 15.
The official opening marks a major milestone in the transformation of the city’s oldest retail precinct, which has already led to new investment in the Bridge Mall.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves will join the community, Bridge Mall Business Association traders and businesses, civil infrastructure and landscape contractor 2Construct and landscape architects Hassell to mark the occasion.
The $23.3 million redevelopment will open with a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11am.
A cavalcade of vintage cars from the Vintage and Classic Car Club Ballarat, representing the decades starting from the 1900s, will then join some of today’s electronic vehicles to proceed along the bluestone carriageway before parking for a showcase display.
The event will feature carnival-themed festivities with roving entertainment, family fun, an outside broadcast from 3BA, a Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast barbecue, a display of historic photos of the precinct and a brand-new shopping experience.
The shopping and celebrations continue on Sunday March 16.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the Bridge Mall redevelopment is a game-changer for Ballarat.
“The redevelopment brings a new modern public space, improved accessibility and a vibrant atmosphere that will benefit residents, visitors and local businesses for years to come,” she said.
“We are proud to deliver a space that enhances our community’s social and economic vibrancy and creates a more inviting and accessible destination for all.
“We encourage everyone to come along, celebrate with us and experience the new Bridge Mall.”
Bridge Mall Business Association President Wendy McLachlan said traders are extremely excited about the new space.
“The association continues to receive many positive endorsements about the new space – from traders, the community and the new investment the project has attracted,” she said.
“Our entrance from Sturt Street connecting our mall to the CBD is very grand and pedestrian friendly.
“The shared space with vehicles will allow better access for our customers that are dropping off and picking up.
“We are all embracing positive change and loving the new space now and look forward to what the future holds.”
The Bridge Mall redevelopment features:
• A landscaped entry into the mall
• A portal view to the Yarrowee, connecting people with the river below their feet
• Reflections of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ history and culture
• About 20 new short-term car parks for pick-up and drop-off
• Smart lighting on building facades
• A dynamic new play space
• New seating, gathering spaces and plantings
• Bollards providing easy mall closure for events, markets and performances
• A shared zone with a 10km/h speed limit, noting vehicles must give way to all pedestrians at all times
• Better connections to cycling paths, including the Sturt Street shared path, and
• Improved traffic flow through the Grenville and Sturt Street intersection.
The carriageway will remain in event mode and be closed to vehicles throughout the Saturday of celebrations and will open to vehicles from Sunday March 16.
The Bridge Mall redevelopment is a key project of the City of Ballarat’s Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan.
The Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan is the first step in revitalising the Ballarat CBD and aims to reinvigorate the area as a vibrant destination for shoppers, diners, residents and visitors.
This story based on a City of Ballarat media release. Image: supplied
