Mayor’s Message - Friday 24 January 2025

Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election, the City of Ballarat, together with eight of the region’s leading organisations, has launched an advocacy campaign calling for major investment in Ballarat and the Western region.

Ballarat Now and Into the Future: Enabling Growth crosses all major economic sectors and identifies eight priority projects needed to support the future prosperity of our region.

Ballarat has a clear vision for how it will grow – evolving as a university city, a hub for tourism, a sustainable city with an unparalleled quality of life, one which attracts investment, supports business, facilitates regional economic growth, and welcomes new residents, students and visitors.

We want to ensure our growth is managed to deliver the best possible outcomes for our community.

To get there, we need the right investment in enabling infrastructure and key projects that will deliver economic activity and lifestyle benefits for a growing population.  

The eight projects that comprise Ballarat Now and Into the Future: Enabling Growth will provide benefits across our economy and community, improving transport, energy, circular economy, tourism, and essential community facilities.  

Importantly, they will help preserve and enhance Ballarat’s liveability and create new jobs.

These projects are not new for our region. They have been an integral part of our planning for some time and are actively advocated for and discussed with our local Members of Parliament.

Now that we are heading towards a federal election, this joint campaign ensures Ballarat’s priorities are well understood by all sides of politics. As a collective, we speak on behalf of thousands of employees, businesses and most importantly, the residents of Ballarat and the region.

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.

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.

The federal election is due to be called before May this year, and no matter the outcome, the City of Ballarat will continue to advocate for our region’s future growth with our residents needs front of mind in all our planning.

- Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves