Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment is revitalising the historic retail precinct in the centre of Ballarat.

The significant project has led to new investment in the Bridge Mall, with the redevelopment of Norwich Plaza under way and businesses planning to open in the mall.

Once completed, the redevelopment will showcase a range of design features including an illuminated portal to the Yarrowee River.  

The Yarrowee River flows underneath the mall, stretching from the Big W car park to Alfred Walk at Norwich Plaza, across the centre of the mall and under Coliseum Walk.

The 1871-built brick and steel Yarrowee River bridge that has been enclosed underground as part of the mall and uncovered as part of the works, is heavily corroded – significantly more than anticipated.

To ensure pedestrian and motorists’ safety, as well as a certified load rating for the bridge to meet modern standards, the structure is expected to be replaced. A new bridge design is being explored, with the project team seeking to achieve a timely and cost-effective outcome.

Given the historic nature of the area, the 153-year-old bridge is one of a number of latent conditions (existing structural issues) that the construction team has encountered that require rectification.

While many of the issues were anticipated, the extent of rectification works required has been more significant than expected and could not have been reasonably anticipated during the design phase.

The Bridge Mall sits above a surrounding floodplain on top of a highly contaminated alluvial mining landscape. This area has been subject to significant change over the years, resulting in challenging ground conditions.    

The swampy sub-grade has proven particularly challenging from a construction perspective, resulting in the need to remove more contaminated soil from the sub-grade than expected. Additional reinforcement has been required to provide a solid foundation for the construction of the new space and carriageway.

Works undertaken since the project began in July include:

• Demolition of the centre of the mall, including removal of three fixed canopies, street furniture and pavers, and removal of remnant sections of tram track dating back to 1905 in accordance with heritage approvals
• Named pavers removed, stored safely and ready to be laid in the new streetscape
• Bulk excavation from the Peel Street end of the mall right through to Grenville Street, including removal of a significant amount of contaminated soil
• North and south stormwater pipe installation
• Coordination with Central Highlands Water as they replace water mains through parts of the construction zone
• Night works to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing telecommunication pits, and installation of new communications pits
• Installation of services, traffic signal pits and electrical conduits for smart street lighting
• Installation of smart poles, which will light the space and highlight historic facades. These will also be equipped with power supplies and CCTV
• Installation of tree pits to support the growth of the new landscaped gardens
• Reinforcement and stabilisation of the material beneath the carriageway (known as the sub-grade)
• Concreting to forge the base of the road alignment and planned central event space
• Concreting of footpaths in preparation for paving works
• Removal and cutting of bluestone salvaged from the former La Trobe Street saleyards
• Opening up the portal to the Yarrowee River
• Demolition and excavation of Time Lane
• Commencement of kerbing works.

Kerbing works have begun as part of Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment project.

Kerbing around the garden beds marks seven months since the City of Ballarat and civil infrastructure and landscape contractor 2Construct began works to revitalise the historic retail precinct in the centre of Ballarat.

Paving works are now being prepared for the mall with sample panels being installed, while works will soon begin to lay bluestone pavers along the low-speed carriageway and in Time Lane.

Some of the bluestone blocks, which represent more than a century of Ballarat history, have been reclaimed from the former La Trobe Street saleyards. 

The bluestone has been sawn smooth to provide easy accessibility for pedestrians in the laneways. Uncut bluestone cobbles are also being laid with the weathered side facing up at the entrance and exit of the carriageway to create a textured finish.

In the next few weeks, crews are expected to begin the installation of custom furniture and street furniture, soft landscaping and signage.

Works have started on the demolition and excavation of Time Lane, with new smooth-surfaced bluestone pavers set to be installed. Once these works are complete, works will then begin on Foundry Way.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the kerbing marks the beginning of works that showcase the final finishes of the project.

“It is exciting to see the kerbing works commence and the redevelopment taking shape,” he said.

“Businesses in the Bridge Mall are open and trading as usual and I encourage everyone to continue to visit, watch the redevelopment continue to progress and to support their favourite businesses.”

Bridge Mall Business Association (BMBA) President Wen McLachlan said the works mark a positive milestone.

“The traders and customers will now be able to really visualise the exciting new space that is evolving every week,” she said.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Ballarat for their vision, 2Construct and all their teams for the great efforts made this far into the project.

“We look forward to its completion and our new entry into the space connecting us with Sturt Street, creating a positive change for the future.”

Once completed, the redevelopment will restore the Bridge Mall as a vibrant destination for shoppers, diners, residents and visitors.

The redevelopment will feature a landscaped entry into the mall, a shared streetscape with one-way, low speed vehicle access via a mixture of salvaged heritage bluestones and Victorian bluestones, as well as a dynamic new play space.

The redevelopment will also include a portal to the Yarrowee River flowing beneath the mall, smart street lighting and projections, limited parking and better access for people of all abilities.  

Works undertaken since the project began in July include:

• Demolition of the centre of the mall, including removal of three fixed canopies, street furniture and pavers, and removal of remnant sections of tram track dating back to 1905 in accordance with heritage approvals
• Bulk excavation from the Peel Street end of the mall right through to Grenville Street, including removal of a significant amount of contaminated soil
• North and south stormwater pipe installation
• Coordination with Central Highlands Water as they replace water mains through parts of the construction zone
• Night works to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing telecommunication pits, and installation of new communications pits
• Installation of services, traffic signal pits and electrical conduits for smart street lighting
• Installation of smart poles, which will light the space and highlight historic facades. These will also be equipped with power supplies and CCTV
• Installation of tree pits to support the growth of the new landscaped gardens
• Reinforcement and stabilisation of the material beneath the carriageway (known as the sub-grade)
• Concreting to form the base of the road alignment and planned central event space
• Concreting of footpaths in preparation for paving works
• Removal and cutting of bluestone salvaged from the former La Trobe Street saleyards
• Opening up the portal to the Yarrowee River.

The Bridge Mall redevelopment is currently on track for completion mid-2024, subject to weather delays or unforeseen issues.

The City of Ballarat is encouraging the wider community to support their favourite shops and businesses in the Bridge Mall in the lead up to Christmas.

With less than nine weeks of retail trade until Christmas, there has never been a better time to check out the progress in construction works for the $18.6 million Bridge Mall redevelopment while supporting local traders.  

All shops are open as normal and the City of Ballarat is encouraging shoppers to continue to visit the great local businesses in the area.  

At the Peel Street end of the mall, the bulk excavation and concreting are almost complete, forging the base for the road alignment and the planned central event space.  

This week, night works began at the front of businesses on the south side of this construction area. Next week, night works will take place at the front of businesses on the north side. All businesses will remain easily accessible for customers during trading hours with works being conducted at night to minimise disruption to businesses.

Works on the Grenville Street section of the redevelopment are also forging ahead with ongoing underground service works, including signals and water lines.

There have been changes to the staging of works in the mall during the busy pre-Christmas period which will provide additional space for shoppers towards the Peel Street end. This new staging better aligns with forecast delivery dates for paving while enabling construction to remain on schedule for completion mid-2024.

Under the new staging, temporary fencing will be removed from most of the new concreted works at the Peel Street end in the next few weeks.

Lower fencing protecting garden beds and some materials storage will remain until paving of the area and installation of the new street furniture, landscaping and kerbing, which will commence early next year.

Excavation works will shortly begin in the mid-section of the Bridge Mall.

In the lead up to Christmas, pedestrian access has been improved and widened from Sturt Street into the mall while the newly concreted area of the mall will be available for traders to use for Christmas promotions and activities.

The City of Ballarat is working with contractor 2Construct, the Bridge Mall Business Association and all traders to minimise the impact of construction as much as possible. However, as with any major development, there will be unavoidable impacts to businesses and community while construction occurs.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson encouraged the community to get behind their favourite businesses in the mall this Christmas.

“I encourage everyone to shop local and support Bridge Mall traders this Christmas,” he said.

“The lead up to Christmas is a critical time for all of our retailers, especially here in the Bridge Mall this year.

“While the works are ongoing, it is exciting to see concreting almost finished at the Peel Street end of the mall and the redevelopment beginning to take shape.

“Once completed, the Bridge Mall revitilisation project will bring renewed heart and soul to this historic retail precinct in the centre of Ballarat.”

Bridge Mall Business Association President Wendy McLachlan said it is exciting to see the progress of the redevelopment and the commencement of works at Norwich Plaza, all in the lead up to Christmas.

“Christmas in the mall will be bigger than ever with all our events planned as usual, Santa will be arriving early December, and our markets will continue in the new space available as well as at Bakery Hill,” she said.

“We will be holding our Christmas festival as usual in the new space, as well as our Secret Santa gift voucher giveaway, which will be bigger than ever this year.

“All businesses will be full of stock for Christmas and easily accessible from all entrances. Support local while enjoying the festive season.”

The Bridge Mall redevelopment will feature a landscaped entry into the mall, a shared streetscape with one-way, low speed vehicle access and a dynamic new play space.

The redevelopment also includes a portal to the Yarrowee River flowing beneath the mall, smart street lighting and projections, limited parking and better access for people of all abilities.  

A total 1600 named pavers are being removed for safe keeping and will be re-laid in the new Grenville Street gardens as work on Ballarat’s Bridge Mall redevelopment project progresses.

The pavers feature the names of community members who made donations towards the playground when the mall was developed in 1981.The Bridge Mall redevelopment is a key project of the Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan.

Construction works started in recent months with the redevelopment is expected to be completed mid-2024.

The Bakery Hill Urban Renewal Plan is the first step in revitalising the Ballarat CBD and aims to restore the Bridge Mall to a vibrant destination for shoppers, diners, residents and visitors.

Fully-funded by the City of Ballarat, the $18.6 million redevelopment features a landscaped entry into the mall, a shared streetscape with one-way, low speed vehicle access and a dynamic new play space.  

The redevelopment also includes a portal to the Yarrowee River flowing beneath the mall, smart street lighting and projections, limited parking and better access for people of all abilities.