Ballarat Now and Into the Future - Enabling Growth launches ahead of 2025 federal election

A partnership of Ballarat’s leading organisations is calling for major investment in infrastructure that supports growth ahead of the 2025 federal election.

Ballarat Now and Into the Future - Enabling Growth is a joint advocacy campaign between nine of Ballarat’s key organisations representing the health, education, tourism, commercial, local government and advocacy sectors. 

It identifies eight priority projects needed to support the future prosperity of Ballarat and Western Victoria and ensure Ballarat is prepared for future growth.

The eight projects are:

Enabling Community

• Eastwood Community Hub
• Wendouree Library and Learning Centre

Enabling Infrastructure

• Ballarat West Growth Area Housing and Growth Enabling Infrastructure
• Duplication of Dyson Drive

Enabling Regional Investment 

• Circular Economy Precinct
• Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat

Enabling Workforce and Economic Growth

• Ballarat Co-Operative Education and Skills City Centre
• Sovereign Hill Master Plan: Gold Vault

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the projects will deliver a broad range of economic and social benefits, ensuring Ballarat and the region can make the most of the opportunities presented by future population growth.

“Federal investment in these projects will help ensure Ballarat will grow in a way that allows our city and region’s economy to thrive, supports local business and creates jobs,” she said. 

“We need significant investment to build on our established strengths in tourism and higher education, to deliver essential community facilities for existing and future residents, enhance aeromedical services and commercial aviation and build the circular economy.

“We also need the roads, pipes and pumps that will fast track new housing needed to support growth.

“With support for these key projects, Ballarat is well placed to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to population growth, easing pressure on metropolitan growth areas and generating economic growth and new opportunities for business in our city and western Victoria.”

Ballarat Now and Into the Future - Enabling Growth is proudly supported by nine Ballarat organisations:

• Australian Catholic University Ballarat
• Central Highlands Water
• City of Ballarat
• Commerce Ballarat
• Committee for Ballarat
• Federation University
• Grampians Health
• Sovereign Hill
• Tourism Midwest Victoria

Cr Hargreaves said the joint campaign will help ensure Ballarat’s priorities are well understood by all sides of politics in the lead up to the federal election, which is due before the end of May this year.

“As a collective, we speak on behalf of thousands of employees, businesses and most importantly, the residents of Ballarat and the region,” she said.

“Our united voice means our representatives and candidates can be in no doubt about Ballarat’s priorities and the projects that will enable growth and deliver the greatest benefit to our community.”

Click here to learn more about the Ballarat Now and Into the Future - Enabling Growth suite of projects.