Feedback closes this week on the Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy

The six-week period of community consultation on City of Ballarat’s draft Housing Strategy is coming to an end this week.  

The draft Housing Strategy provides direction on how and where residential growth should occur.  

The official closing date of 6 October 2023 is approaching, however community members who still wish to have their say can reach out directly to the Strategic Planning team to discuss further.  

By 2041, the Ballarat municipality is expected to grow by up to 55,000 people and will need over 29,000 more dwellings. The Housing Strategy 2023-2041 will provide the City of Ballarat with a framework for managing this population and housing growth.

As a planning authority, the City of Ballarat has a responsibility to plan and accommodate housing growth for at least a 15-year period across the municipality.  

This draft Housing Strategy has taken into consideration current housing capacity and proposes a longer term approach to planning for the city’s housing.  

The draft Housing Strategy has been prepared by the City of Ballarat with input from planning and demographic experts to ensure the findings are cohesive and achievable. State Government guidance and laws must also be adhered to in producing the Strategy.  

The Ballarat community have attended many local drop-in sessions, to see the maps, documents and chat with the Strategic Planning team over the past six weeks, in areas from Lucas to Brown Hill and Sebastopol to Wendouree.  

And more than 2,000 people have viewed the information and documents on the Draft Housing Strategy online, from that more than 60 people have completed the survey.  

City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Ben Taylor said housing affects the lives of everyone, and urges everyone to review the draft Strategy.  

“Help us address questions in the strategy, such as how many dwellings do we need to cater for our population growth, and where would they be located?" he said.

“This is a vital strategic document that will ensure the housing needs of our growing community are met.

The community can engage online and in-person. For more information visit the City of Ballarat’s Mysay page.  

Following the close of the consultation, the Strategic Planning team will collate the feedback and report back to Council for further consideration.