Help shape how Ballarat grows

Now is the time for Ballarat residents to provide feedback as to how the city should grow towards 2041.

Consultation has officially opened on the Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy 2023-2041.  

As Ballarat continues to grow and change it is important that there is a plan in place to guide population growth and residential development in line with community needs and values, while also helping the city and townships evolve in a sustainable manner.

The City of Ballarat wants to ensure that the Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy protects the valued natural and built form assets of the municipality now and for future generations.

The Draft Ballarat Housing Strategy has been informed by a broad range of strategic background studies and reports, the strategic vision from the Ballarat Strategy 2040, the City of Ballarat Council Plan 2021-2025 and State Government policy and guidance.

Community feedback is welcomed on a range of issues the draft strategy addresses, including neighbourhood character, the targeted split of greenfield and infill development, and how accessibility is measured.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said hearing from Ballarat residents is the next stage of helping shape how the city will grow.  

“We know that we are continuing to grow” he said.  

“This is one of the most significant pieces of work this Council will undertake. Strategic Planning is incredibly complex and a lot of valuable work has been done to get to this stage.

“We have now reached the point in the process where it is time for our community to be engaged, so please give us your thoughts on the draft strategy.  

“Have we got it right? What should we change? What do you like?”

Drop-in sessions to ask questions in person are being held at a range of locations across the municipality during September 2023.  

The sessions are all between the hours of 2pm and 7pm.  

Come on in for a chat with the City of Ballarat Strategic Planners over a cup of coffee and refreshments:

• 5 September, at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility Redan
• 7 September, at the Lucas Community Hub
• 11 September, at the Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre
• 12 September, at Sebastopol Library
• 14 September, at the Buninyong Town Hall
• 18 September, at the Ballarat Bowling Club, Havelock Street
• 19 September, at the Brown Hill Community Hall
• 21 September, at Sebastopol Library
• 26 September, at Ballarat Bowling Club, Havelock Street

You can also review the documents, have your say, or ask a question online at the City of Ballarat’s Mysay page.  

The Strategic Planning team can be contacted on strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au or 5320 5500 if you have questions regarding the Draft Housing Strategy and the supporting documents.

Next steps  

Consultation will close on 6 October 2023.  

The City of Ballarat Strategic Planning team will then review submissions received, and present to Ballarat City Council a proposed final Ballarat Housing Strategy once any necessary changes have been made.  

The final Housing Strategy will, ultimately, support changes to zones and overlays across the municipality via the Ballarat Planning Scheme, and further required consultation on this work will commence in the months following.