History of Cardigan Village
Committed to Serving the Community
“The land on which Cardigan Village stands is the traditional land of the Wadawurrung people, situated on the important travel route between Ballarat (the ‘resting place’) and Lake Burrumbeet. The Wadawurrung people made two significant journeys across this landscape throughout the year. During the summer they travelled from Ballarat to the ‘food bowls’ of Lake Burrumbeet and Lake Learmonth, via the creeks and wetlands. During the winter the Wadawurrung returned to Ballarat, where shelter from the wind and the harsh winter weather conditions of the western basalt plains was provided by the natural depression of the land at the area now known as Bakery Hill. To ensure holistic planning and development outcomes, Traditional Owners see it as crucially important to understand Cardigan Village as part of the much broader context of intersecting landscapes, rather than viewing the township in isolation. Working to improve the natural environmental values of the land is seen as vital in ensuring the health and well-being of all people”.
(Uncle Bryon Powell, Wadawurrung Elder, 2017)
The Cardigan Village estate, established in the mid 1970's, has a current population (City of Ballarat, The Cardigan Village Plan, Our Township Toward 2040) of 667; this is expected to grow to approximately 1011 on completion of The Avenue estate.
The Cardigan Village Community Centre building, located in the park in Mitchell Drive, comprises a hall, kinder room and a multi-purpose room.
The building was established as the real estate sales office / community hub for the original Cardigan Village Central estate subdivision and was later transferred to the City of Ballarat for community use.
In 2015 Council installed a public toilet in the park adjacent to the existing electric BBQ enabling more users to enjoy the amenities of the area.
Other public facilities located in the park include tennis courts, children’s play equipment, picnic tables, seating, a free electric BBQ, BMX track, football goal posts and a walking path.
