Let’s find Ballarat’s Best Idea

In 2022 our city is ready for more of Ballarat’s Best Ideas. 

The City of Ballarat is proud to join forces with local company Suggest it for the second year to capture great ideas for the business community by harnessing local, crowd‐sourced innovation. 

A six‐week competition from 8 March – 19 April 2022 will see customers use a digital suggestion box to leave ideas for participating businesses. 

At the end of the competition, three of the best ideas for improving a Ballarat business will be chosen by a panel of judges from the City of Ballarat, Federation University, Crazy Ideas College and Runway. 

In 2022 Ballarat’s Best Ideas has grown and the focus is on ideas for post pandemic growth for local business, attractions and organisations.  

New audiences are being targeted this year, and the initiative is looking beyond just locals, with visitors to Ballarat also engaged, as well as younger audiences for some fresh ideas.  

The City of Ballarat is proud to be a part of this project to assist the community to support local businesses and to unearth some great ideas.  

Among the Ballarat community and visitor market are some great ideas, and the City of Ballarat is excited to help uncover innovative solutions and solve problems with a fresh set of eyes.  

The businesses who inspire Ballarat’s Best Ideas will receive $500 toward implementing the idea, with further support from participating partners to ensure the idea can be put into action. 

Winners can choose from the exceptional prize pool of either an Apple Watch SE, Ballarat Staycation, Ballarat Escape Experience or a Trek bike – all valued between $500 and $749.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said he is delighted to again support Ballarat’s Best Ideas in 2022. 

“The 2021 competition demonstrated how creative and thoughtful our community were in coming up with great suggestions to support their favourite businesses to continue to innovate through the difficulties they were facing with the pandemic,” he said.  

“This year, we are hoping to see more of that same spirit, both from Ballarat residents, as well as visitors to our beautiful city.” 

Suggest it’s Ben Wearne said he was proud to have Ballarat’s Best Ideas return in 2022.  

“The impact the positive ideas have had on local business, organisations and communities is evident with many of the ideas being put into action,” he said.  

“We are expanding the program to engage and seek the ideas of the visitors to our city especially during this busy time with events such as the Ballarat Begonia Festival and upcoming Basketball tournaments. We know how important the Visitor Economy is to our region and as people return, we are asking them to share their suggestions to make their experiences even better to help Ballarat raise the bar as a visitor destination and place to live.” 

Judging commences on 26 April 2022 and the celebration of winners will commence early May.  

Visit Suggest it for details on how to participate.