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Contact hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday - Closed on public holidays.

• Phone: 5320 5500
• After hours: Call 5320 5500 and follow the prompts to receive emergency support.
  Call using the National Relay Service if you are deaf/hard of hearing or speech-impaired.
• Email: info@ballarat.vic.gov.au
• In person: 
  The Phoenix Building
  25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat
• Postal address: 
  City of Ballarat
  Wadawurrung Country
  PO Box 655 Ballarat, VIC, 3353

View the City of Ballarat Customer Charter

• Phone: 131 450 for immediate phone interpreting (available 24 hours).
• Online: Translating and Interpreting Services

Visit TIS Contact for more help.

City of Ballarat e-services - this includes:

• Request Service
• Payments
• Registrations
• Permits

Submit a issue/report using the Snap Send Solve app.

View the Complaints Management Policy.

This is for working media only, contact hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday - Unavailable on public holidays.

• Phone: 0437 262 599
• Email: media@ballarat.vic.gov.au

• Facebook
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• Linkedin

There has been an increase in residents receiving scam calls claiming to be from the City of Ballarat.

If you receive a phone call from someone saying they are calling on behalf of the City of Ballarat Council, look out for these signs, it may be a scam:

• Calls coming from a mobile phone number
  If we are contacting residents or we have partnered with a provider to conduct a phone survey, these calls will not come from mobile phone.
• Claiming to be from the Ballarat City Council
  Our survey provider always identifies themselves by name. National Field Services conducts surveys on behalf of the City of Ballarat. If council staff are contacting residents directly, we will provide a full name and the council department we are calling from.
• You are asked for your address, name, marital status, or mortgage status
  City of Ballarat staff have access to our residents' names and addresses (where needed) and our survey partner is not given this information as they do not need it. If you are asked for personal information, the call may be a scam.
• The caller is "pushy" or "rude" when speaking to you
  Our survey provider will cease the phone call if a resident advises they do not wish to participate and not push residents to be involved in the survey. Our staff will always be courteous and polite when speaking with residents.

To find out more about scam calls and how to report one if you think you may have had a spam call, visit the ScamWatch website.

A written business plan is the essential first step to start your business.

Create your business plan and outline:

• What is the product and services you plan to offer?
• An explanation of the intended customer, and how you will attract them?
• What is required to set up your business?

Visit the Business Victoria website for more information about how to write a business plan.

Planning considers the way land is used and developed, and how this impacts the character and amenity of an area.

Planning requirements may inform the following:

• Can your business operate on the proposed location?
• Onsite signage possibilities
• The impact of your business to the existing neighbourhood and services

To understand your planning requirements we will be able to better support you if you can provide:

• You will need your business plan or vision
• If you already have a property in mind, please provide us with the address
• A basic plan showing how your business will operate. 

If you are still looking for a property, please let us know your requirements and our team are happy support you.

Visit Preparing for where you will do business for further information about Planning requirements or contact the Economic Development team.

The City of Ballarat’s Economic Development Team is dedicated to supporting businesses, small, large, or just starting. By providing us with the information about your business at the start, we can direct you to the right people in the City of Ballarat to progress your vision.  

The team is available to assist you to:

• Conduct initial research to identify commercial or industrial sites
• Guide you through council's regulatory processes
• Connect you with regional markets, key influencers, and business associations
• Connect you with other council services  

Phone: 5320 5500
Email: economicdevelopment@ballarat.vic.gov.au 
Online application form: Small Business Application

The team will then be in contact with you to discuss your business over the phone or to arrange an in person meeting.

Playgroups are a fun, safe environment for families with young children (aged 0-5) to connect, build friendships and support children’s learning and development through play.

At playgroup you get to meet other people going through similar experiences and find out about local community, health and support services.

There are two main types of playgroups in the Ballarat region, Community Playgroups and Supported Playgroups.

A community playgroup is typically run by parents/carers or volunteers. Playgroup sessions are generally run weekly, for up to 2 hours, at various locations and venues in the community. Community playgroups welcome all families to attend, there is usually a small fee which covers the running costs of the playgroup.

We have many community playgroups in the Ballarat region. See the list of Ballarat’s community playgroups below:

Ballarat Nature Playgroup

Contact: ballaratnatureplaygroup@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: Tuesdays 10.30am to 12 noon
Cost: $5 per session or $20 for the whole term

Brown Hill - Ballarat North Neighbourhood House Playgroup

Address: Russell Square – Corner of Stawell and Humffray Street, Brown Hill  
Contact: info@bnnh.org.au
Sessions: Mondays 9.15am to 11am
Cost: Gold coin donation

Ballarat Outdoor Playgroup

We meet at a different Ballarat park location each term where we connect with nature and each other in a relaxed session.

Address: Currently meeting at Brown Hill reserve  
Contact: Janet Lovejoy 
Email: ballaratoutdoorplaygroup@fastmail.com
Phone: 0401 315 396
Sessions: Friday mornings from 9.30am to 11.15am
Cost: $125 per term (covers part of facilitator's time and supplies)

Ballarat & District Multiple Birth Assoc Playgroup

Playgroup runs during school terms for multiples and their siblings. Expectant parents are also most welcome to attend.

Address: Currently meeting at Gong Gong Reservoir Park
Contact: Krista Navaro 
Email: bdmba@live.com.au
Sessions: Fortnightly on Thursdays 9.00am to 11.00am
Cost: Free

Buninyong Playgroup

Buninyong playgroup sessions move around between Buninyong primary school, Mt Buninyong Winery and outside locations. Please check the website for a term calendar with more information.

Address: Various locations around Buninyong and Scotsburn
Contact: Belinda Wardle 
Email: buninyongcommunityplaygroup@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: Friday mornings 9:30am - 11:30am
Cost: $6 per family
Bookings: Book tickets online

Brilliant Stars Baha’i Playgroup  

Playgroup includes discussion of Baha’i Faith. Lessons focus on a spiritual quality and feature prayer and a quotation set to music, songs and simple craft activities. If you would like to join for breakfast before playgroup at 9:30am please bring along a plate of food to share.

Address: Delacombe Primary School – 110 Greenhalghs Road, Delacombe
Contact: Nabiheh Bomassy 
Email: nabiheh.nosherwan@hotmail.com
Phone: 0476 991 172
Website: bahaiballarat.org.au/brilliant-stars-playgroup
Sessions: Saturdays during school term from 10.30am
Cost: Free

Grandparents Playgroup

A relaxed and informal playgroup for Grandparents and other families to have some fun together. The session includes time spent at an indoor playgroup. Please bring along a snack box and water bottle for your child

Address: York Street Church of Christ, 410 York Street, Ballarat East
Contact: Trish Zukauskas 
Phone: 0418 355 522
Sessions: Tuesdays 9.30 to 11.30  
Cost: $3 per session

Japanese Community Playgroup  

Everyone is welcome. Currently there is no Japanese story time or Japanese activities, we play and talk in Japanese.

Address: York Street Church of Christ, 410 York Street, Ballarat East
Contact: Yuri Matthews 
Email: yurimathews.au@gmail.com
Phone: 0401 802 838 – Email preferred
Sessions: Tuesdays 9.30 to 11.30  
Cost: Free for drop ins $5/10 per year to cover insurance

Kardinia Church Playgroup

Kardinia Playgroups uses music, dance, props, instruments, sign language, books, and craft to provide a fun and engaging playgroup experience for families with children aged 0-5 years.

Address: 65 Albert Street, Sebastopol
Contact: Co-ordinator Amelia Email: ballarat.playgroups@kardiniachurch.com
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: 
Monday 9.30am - 10.45am & 11am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 9.30am – 11am
Wednesday 9.30am – 11am
Thursday 9.30am – 10.45am & 11am – 12pm
Cost: $140 per family, per semester

Learning Together Playgroup – Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre

With a focus on learning, indoor and outdoor activities, this supported playgroup facilitated by an early childhood educator, is a fun way for children to learn with their parents.

Address: 18 Nandiroig Drive, Delacombe – Doug Dean Reserve
Email: reception@ballaratnc.org.au
Phone: 5329 3273
Sessions: Monday 10am -to 12.30pm

Mainly Music at Enjoy Church Ballarat  

These weekly sessions are full of fun songs and rhymes, dancing and movement, designed to engage children and adults alike. Designed for children from newborn to pre-school, we have a music session, delicious morning tea and free play.

Address: 2/26 Grandlee Drive, Wendouree
Contact: ballarat@enjoy.church
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: Wednesdays during school term. 10.30am to 12.00 pm
Cost: $5 per family, per week. Cost includes 30 min music session, morning tea and time for the kids to play & adults to chat. 

Mainly Music at One 2 One Church Ballarat

Each mainly music is associated with and is run by volunteers from a local church. Children are introduced to music, creativity and more, plus families given a chance to think about the God-part of life. Amazing to think that all this can be achieved in a loving, shared family environment.  

Address: 121 Gillies Street, Alfredton
Contact: admin@churchone2one.org.au
Website: churchone2one.org.au/ministry/ballarat-playgroup
Sessions: Thursdays during school term 10 to 11.30 am
Cost: $5 per family. Bookings online at the one 2 one Church website  

Miners Rest Playgroup

A fun and relaxed playgroup, please check our Facebook page for more details.

Address: Miners Rest Community Hall
Contact: Please contact through facebook  
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: Fridays during school term 9.30 to 11.30am
Cost: Free  

Multicultural Playgroup – Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council

Address: Ballarat Welcome Centre, Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly St, Ballarat East
Contact: Nyibol Deng
Sessions: Thursdays during school term. 10.30am to 12.00pm
Cost: Free

St. Aloysius Playgroup  

All families from schools and the wider community welcome.  Please enter via main office.  

Address: St. Aloysius Primary School, 800 Ripon St South, Redan  
Contact: Call the School Office on 5335 8177  
Sessions: Friday mornings during school terms. 9am to 10.30am
Cost: Free

St James Playgroup  

All are welcome. Please enter via the Vale Street carpark.

Address: St James Primary School - 260 Albert St, Sebastopol  
Contact: jjarvis@sjsebastopol.catholic.edu.au

Sing, Play and Move with Coco Sounds at Parker Place  

Sing, Play Move with Lauren from Coco Sounds is an interactive 30-minute session to encourage children to sing, play and move. During the warmer months this held in the gardens and during the colder months this is held indoors. Families are welcomed to stay and connect after the singing session and children are welcomed to enjoy a fresh fruit platter.  

Address: Gardens of Parker Place 702 Pleasant Street South, Redan  
Contact: Alison Ford. Email: alison.ford@salvationarmy.org.au
Sessions: Wednesday mornings 10am to 12.00pm
Cost: Free

Stepping Stones Playgroup

Stepping Stones Playgroup is a part of Hilltop Church Ballarat, and we are simply a community playgroup that aims to be a safe place for parents and children in the community of Ballarat.

Address: 17 Dawson Street Nth, Ballarat Central
Contact: info@hilltop.church
Follow us on Facebook
Sessions: Wednesday mornings, during school terms 10am to 12.00pm
Cost: Free

Warrenheip Playgroup

Address: Warrenheip Primary School, 92 Warrenheip Road, Warrenheip
Contact: Please call the school on: 5334 7294
Sessions: Wednesday mornings during school terms 9.15am to 11.15am
Cost: Free

Phone: 5320 5820 
Email: ballaratplaygroups@ballarat.vic.gov.au
In person: Visit one of our Parent Place locations

Smalltalk supported playgroups are a free program for families across Victoria with children from birth to school age.

A qualified facilitator leads 10* fun sessions where parents develop their skills and confidence to support their child’s wellbeing and development.  

It starts with smalltalk.

Your facilitator will guide you through simple practical strategies that can help your child feel safe and nurtured; that helps their language, communication, and social skills develop; and that really get them interested in the world around them.

There's even an opportunity to learn and practise these strategies in your own home, with one-on-one support.

At supported playgroups, parents and children enjoy a range of fun play opportunities and activities together. Parents also find out about local services and support networks in the community.

smalltalk supported playgroups are state funded and free to attend for eligible families.

Priority will be given to:

• Families with children aged 0-5 years who hold a Health Care Card or another eligible card/visa
• Families supported through NDIS
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families
• Families that have been referred or supported by Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Services
• Families that have been referred or supported by Orange Door/child protection

Each term, Small Talk Groups are provided across Ballarat. Register your interest below and a Small Talk facilitator will give you a call with further information including session locations and times.  

For further information, please phone 5320- 5820 or email ballaratplaygroups@ballarat.vic.gov.au

* Families are funded to attend our supported playgroups for 2-3 terms, then assistance is given to transition to another activity or early educational program 

If the available groups aren’t suitable for your family, why not consider starting your own?  

There are many benefits to volunteering to run a playgroup such as building a strong community network whilst gaining valuable skills and experience for future work or volunteering opportunities.  

Our community playgroup officer is available to support you to set up and run an engaging playgroup and can help with the following:

• Funding the cost of setting up a playgroup
• Accessing insurance and acquiring equipment and resources
• Professional support for activities and play ideas
• Understanding the benefits of playgroup for families
• Ensuring playgroup is a safe and inclusive place

For more information about setting up a new playgroup, please contact:  

Email: ballaratplaygroups@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Visit: Playgroup Victoria