This speculative study explores how the City Oval precinct could be reimagined as a connected civic landscape. Developed as part of our ‘Regional Workshop’ program, the project tests the idea of extending public life from Sturt St to the lake edge through a new pedestrian connection and the creation of ‘Ballarat Beach’ on Lake Wendouree.

The proposal rethinks surrounding roads, including the potential closure of the western end of Mair Street, reclaiming space for parkland and improving the relationship between the precinct and Pleasant Street Primary School. Vehicle access around the oval could be retained for watching the footy, cricket and netball – but re-cast as slow, shared movement within a park setting rather than a conventional bitumen road.

Small civic additions – a pop-up cafe on the beach and a discreet rooftop terrace overlooking the lake – are used to test how informal, seasonal uses could activate the precinct without over-development. The project is intentionally unresolved, operating as a design testbed for how regional civic spaces might adapt, soften, and connect.