Alfredton Community Hub project update

A major City of Ballarat project in the rapidly-growing western suburbs is starting to take shape.

Work is well under way at the site of the facility currently known as the Alfredton Community Hub on Donegal Drive, with the concrete slab poured and steel framing installation underway.

The City of Ballarat is funding the project with $4.68 million from the Ballarat West Developer Contributions Plan and $3 million from the 2023/24 budget, while the State Government has contributed $2.25 million.

The City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson and council officers were joined by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison to inspect the beginning of the works at the site on Monday.

The community facility, being constructed by Ballarat company CIQ Construction Management Pty Limited, will accommodate a diverse range of users, foster a sense of place, and ensure kindergarten infrastructure in the area meets demand.  

The purpose-built facility will feature three preschool rooms to accommodate 99 children at a time, two community rooms, a meeting room, and associated staff facilities.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was pleasing to see works progressing on the facility.

“It wasn’t that long ago that this site was a vacant piece of land but already we can see how much has already happened,” Cr Hudson said.

“The need is there now to cater to families in Ballarat’s growing western suburbs and investment in facilities like this is crucial.

“I can’t wait to see the finished product and have the centre thriving."

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said she was proud to invest in the future of Ballarat’s children.

“Our nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education and care across Victoria,” she said.

“I am proud that the State Government is investing $2.25 million in Alfredton to ensure our littlest learners have access for the best kinder facility.”

As identified in the Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037, the population in Ballarat’s west is forecast to grow by 73 per cent from 2021-2036.

Other key growth forecasts from 2021-2036 include:  

• A 65% increase in births in Ballarat’s west  
• A 157% increase in families with dependent children in Cardigan, Lucas and Bunkers Hill  
• A 36% increase in families with dependent children in Alfredton  
• A 408% increase in residential developments in Cardigan, Lucas and Bunkers Hill

The project is expected to be complete in early 2024 and demonstrates how the City of Ballarat is committed to Delivering a Better Ballarat.