Buninyong & District Community Association

The Buninyong & District Community Association (BDCA) [formerly the Buninyong Progress Association] is a group of volunteer local residents and others who have an interest in preserving the character, the heritage and promotion  of Buninyong
BDCA Committee Members and Meeting Dates 2024-5
 
Officers:
Sue Yorston (President)
Darren Holland (Vice-President)
Kevin Zibell (Secretary & Public Officer)
Lisa Cressey (Treasurer)
 
Committee Members:
Gabby Allan
Darren Bowden
Robert Elshaug
Andrew Aitken
Ross Pilkington
 
Meeting Dates:
 
Meetings are usually held the final Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Community House, with General Meetings alternating with Committee Meetings.

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​Thanks to Buninyong Community Bank for funding our project to re-establish the News and on-line communications!  The proposed new name for the publication is: "Village Voice--Buninyong & District Community News".
The Association aims to
  • provide representation for the Buninyong community
  • provide a forum for the Buninyong community to discuss and address matters of local interest
  • provide a link to/liaison with the Council of the City of Ballarat and other statutory bodies and groups
  • develop and present submissions on issues of local importance
  • promote and participate in activities for the betterment of Buninyong
  • promote local tourism and business
So far as the Council and many other statutory groups are concerned, the Association is regarded as the peak local body able to reflect and articulate community views.


Pictured left:
1. The Old Buninyong Town Hall, Court House and Council Chambers (c1886)
2. Former Eagle Hotel (c1858)

  • BDCA PRESIDENT'S REPORT OCTOBER 31, 2024
  • BDCA Members,
    I’m writing this as I look back and ponder on my time with the BDCA. Firstly, I suppose is to think has the BDCA made a difference.  We have welcomed new members to the committee who bring their own vibe to the table.  They give us fresh ways of looking at things that impact the town and have an eye for what could be rather than just what has been.
    We need to continue to work together with council in the spirit of integrity and trust. We need to acknowledge that our council covers an area of 739sq kilometres with a population of approx.122.000.  Each of those areas have their own competing, sometimes urgent priorities.
    Following community consultation and with support from the Buninyong Community Bank, we engaged Shell Corcoran to oversee the implementation of a new local newsletter, the “Village Voice”.  We have had great feedback from the community following publication. However, for me a vexed question is how will the newsletter survive? How do we assure its viability? Everyone seems to want one, but a very few are prepared to be involved in the production of it. The small team we do have are committed and vibrant and making great efforts, but they also have other priorities in life.  If anyone has any thoughts on how to attract more volunteers to the team, I would love to hear from you.
    Following on from the recent council elections the BDCA will work with our local representative and interested community members to revisit the De Soza Park masterplan to ensure it reflects the way we all want to use the space now and into the future. We are also continuing to work with interest groups to establish a Recreational Vehicle Friendly Town site.  It has taken time to investigate several locations with a shortlist now in place.  The previous Mt Buninyong Reserve Advisory Committee ceased in 2018 as it didn't fit the new reporting requirements under the new Local Government act. Through discussions with Councillor Ben Taylor and Bridget Wetherall (Director Infrastructure and Environment), Council have acknowledged, that whilst the Snap, Send, Solve (SSS) application is the preferred method to report/manage maintenance issues, those identified on Mt Buninyong may be beyond the scope of SSS and warrant more detailed management. The BDCA has, together with Council, established a new committee and structure to work on the management of the Mount. The intention is for this group to meet periodically and work co-operatively to ensure one of its greatest natural assets, Mount Buninyong, is kept in good condition.  The new Mount Buninyong Maintenance Group (    Darren Bowden is the BDCA representative) will ensure the BDCA is aware of ongoing maintenance concerns on Mt. Buninyong itself. .  Examples include overgrowth of weeds and infestations and degradation of the South Walking Track. (report courtesy Darren Bowden).
    BDCA representatives continue to meet with state government on the issue of safety on the Midland Highway as it passes through our town. It has been two years since the public meeting following the truck crash and nothing has changed. Should it, can it change and how? And importantly when? We need to continue to put pressure on the appropriate depts I think to achieve a definitive outcome.
    Someone local queried me when I joined this group. Who and what is the Buninyong and District Community Association they asked. They were not newcomers to the area. That I hope is one thing that has started to change with the newsletter and a soon to be revamped BDCA website and Facebook page. To be relevant and express the views of the community the BDCA needs to hear from the community. The BDCA exists to represent the views of the community. An obvious way to do that is by survey so the BDCA will make every effort to listen to you to ensure its voice is the voice of the community.
    Sue Yorston
    President BDCA
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