Editing Ballarat (section)

==Environment==
===Natural reserves and commons===
[[File:BallaratTownCommon.jpg|thumb|Ballarat Town Common in autumn 2018]]
While there are no national parks in Ballarat's proximity, Ballarat is bordered by extensive bushland to the north, south and south west and sensitive [[wetlands]] to the east. The most central park to the city is the 130 ha Victoria Park, with a plethora of ovals and fields, playgrounds, walking tracks and quiet roads. There are a number of nearby state parks and large reserves including the [[Enfield State Park]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creswick.net/things_to_do/bush_walking|title=Creswick, Bush Walking, Scenery, History, Landcare|first=UBC Web|last=Design|work=creswick.net}}</ref> Creswick Regional Park, [[Mount Warrenheip]] Flora Reserve, [[Mount Buninyong]] Reserve and [[Lake Burrumbeet]] park. There are also smaller parks, like Black Hill, Victoria Park, Pioneer Park and Yarowee Reserve, located within walking distance of the city centre.

Ballarat is unique in Australia—and internationally—for having retained much of its [[commons]] land, which can be used by any resident of Ballarat. Ballarat Town Common, Ballarat West Town Common and Ballarat Common are located to the west of the city. Ballarat Town Common can be accessed via Howe Street in Miners Rest and is used by dog walkers and ramblers, especially because of its open grass fields and native wetland. Ballarat West Town Common is presently farmed on by licensed farmers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au/soilhealth/soils_resource_details.php?resource_id=4093|title=Ballarat West Town Common : Landscape plan and future management|first=Wicks, A. (Landscape and Architectural Services Section, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands|last=Victoria)|website=ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au}}</ref> The commons were reduced in size during the 20th century for property development.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 July 1952|title=Victoria Government Gazette|url=http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1952/V/general/534.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009072423/http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1952/V/general/534.pdf|archive-date=2015-10-09|url-status=live|access-date=22 October 2022|website=Victoria Government Gazette}}</ref>

The region is home to a large [[koala]] population with protected areas established in the city's outer southern and eastern settlements.<ref>Williams, Erin. (3 August 2010) [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/vcat-knocks-back-mt-helen-subdivision-due-to-koalas/1902027.aspx VCAT knocks back Mt Helen subdivision – Local News – News – General]. ''The Courier''. Retrieved 18 August 2011.</ref><ref name="Koala Plan">[http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/57443/ballarat%20koala%20plan%20of%20management%20-%20information%20brochure.pdf Implementing the Ballarat Koala Plan of Management through the Ballarat Planning Scheme] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121161808/http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/57443/ballarat%20koala%20plan%20of%20management%20-%20information%20brochure.pdf |date=21 November 2010 }}. (PDF). Retrieved 18 August 2011.</ref>

===Pollution===
Air quality in Ballarat is generally good,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.NSF/515bc2fde7bf93f44a2565b6001ee896/83b1f49d9d53c2d0ca256dc700218012/$FILE/936.pdf|title=Airborne particle monitoring at Ballarat, 2 Feb to Sept 03|access-date=18 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313175439/http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/publications.nsf/515bc2fde7bf93f44a2565b6001ee896/83b1f49d9d53c2d0ca256dc700218012/%24FILE/936.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2011}}</ref> however dust is sometimes an issue in the summer months<ref>[http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/media.nsf/ad5006bdf5dcd5c84a256695000c4619/601aee450aac2fd6ca256e1f0082904f?OpenDocument Ballarat's Air Quality good despite drought dust] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117102321/http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/media.nsf/ad5006bdf5dcd5c84a256695000c4619/601aee450aac2fd6ca256e1f0082904f?OpenDocument |date=17 January 2012 }} 21 January 2004.</ref> and woodsmoke from [[fireplace]]s contributes to reductions in visibility in the winter months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.NSF/PubDocsLU/1111?OpenDocument|title=Air monitoring at Ballarat August 2005 to August 2006|publisher=Epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au|access-date=18 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227081110/http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/1111?OpenDocument|archive-date=27 February 2011}}</ref> Ballarat's waterways have historically been affected by heavy pollution from both mining and industry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Quinlan|first=Kim|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/news-features/yarrowee-dont-call-it-a-creek/526254.aspx|title=Yarrowee: Don't call it a creek. – Local News – News – News Features|work=The Courier|date=11 April 2002|access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref>

The Ballarat Environment Network formed in 1993 to provide a voice for environmental and [[nature conservation]] issues in Ballarat and its surroundings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ben.org.au|title=Offline|publisher=BEN|access-date=18 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701205733/http://ben.org.au/|archive-date=1 July 2010}}</ref> Another large lobby group for [[sustainability]] in the city is the Ballarat Renewable Energy And Zero Emissions (BREAZE) formed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breaze.org.au/|title=Welcome to BREAZE|publisher=Breaze.org.au|access-date=18 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808150244/http://www.breaze.org.au/|archive-date=8 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The City of Ballarat released an Environment Sustainability Strategy for the city in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/66766/city%20of%20ballarat%20environment%20sustainability%20strategy.pdf|title=Ballarat Sustainability Strategy|access-date=12 November 2013|date=1 September 2007|publisher=City of Ballarat|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112121123/http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/66766/city%20of%20ballarat%20environment%20sustainability%20strategy.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref>

Many parts of urban Ballarat have been affected by the introduction of exotic species, particularly introduced flora. [[Common gorse]] is one such problem which has prompted the formation of an official Ballarat Region Gorse Task Force in 1999 to control.<ref name="Environment Victoria 2010-12-13">{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/biodiversity/biodiversity04-2a.html#cs18|title=Biodiversity, Australia State of the Environment Report 2001 (Theme Report): Biodiversity issues and challenges (part 2)|access-date=12 November 2013|date=13 December 2010|publisher=Environment Victoria}}</ref> [[European rabbit]]s<ref>{{cite news|title=Rabbit numbers on the rise across Ballarat region|date=5 January 2012|work=The Courier|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/rabbit-numbers-on-the-rise-across-ballarat-region/2411329.aspx|access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> and [[red fox]]es<ref>{{cite news|first=Gav|last=McGrath|title=Foxes in plague numbers across Ballarat district|date=19 June 2013|work=The Courier|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1581083/foxes-in-plague-numbers-across-ballarat-district/|access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> cause significant environmental damage in the region's agriculture areas.