Grand plan to turn Ballarat rail sheds into art hub

Sept. 24, 2013, 10:53 p.m.

Haydn Smith, Andreas Litras, Bindy Trembath, Geoff Potts and Sam Brown.

BALLARATS derelict rail sheds could be transformed into a vibrant centre of creativity and the arts, according to a group of residents and business leaders.

Known as The Station, the proposal would see the development of a creative industries incubator and a multi-purpose major event space.

The proposal is part of a call for submissions by the state government, which is set to formulate a masterplan for development of the precinct in the coming months.

Local artist Andreas Litras said Ballarat had to find a way of countering the artistic drain that was seeing the best and brightest creative minds flee for Melbourne and Sydney.

He said the incubator part of the plan would foster businesses with creative interests so that they could become sustainable.

Were trying to find ways of keeping that creativity in Ballarat, keep those people here and create jobs, Mr Litras said. One of the bluestone goods sheds would also become an indoor/outdoor performance space which could host events, including art exhibitions and music performances.

Mr Litras said the creative businesses developed by the incubator could then move into the multipurpose space to generate income and support other start-ups.

We want to make sure this stays as a real public asset, he said.

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Grand plan to turn Ballarat rail sheds into art hub