At the Ballarat City Council meeting on 14 December 2011, Council voted 6-3 in favour of withdrawing the planning application for the redevelopment of the Civic Hall site, bowing to community outrage about different aspects of the proposal. It is a great victory for people power, and for all those who have written letters, joined protests and made their views known to Councillors. Ballarat Heritagewatch, which has been fighting for the refurbishment and adaptive re-use of the Civic Hall  for years, can feel justly proud of our efforts, and grateful to Cr. Samantha McIntosh for her leadership in Council.

Anne Beggs-Sunter,

President