Media Response |

1. How much has the Delacombe growth corridor grown since 2008/9 in terms of population/houses?

Ballarat West Precinct Structure Plan

There have been 1015 residential lots released since inception of the Ballarat West Development Contributions Plan in late 2014 with 312 building permits approved to date. This equates to an increase in population of approximately 780 residents using the Ballarat West Growth Area population projection of 2.5 persons per household.

 Alfredton West Precinct Structure Plan – Lucas Estates

Since inception in 2011, there have been 885 lots released in Lucas to date with 780 building permits approved totalling an increase in population of approximately 2000 residents.

2. What affect has commercial areas like the Delacombe Town Centre had since it opened?

The delivery of the Delacombe Town Centre early in the life of the Ballarat West Growth Area has activated the local area, with the early implementation assisting with the anticipated acceleration of residential development adjacent to the centre.

3. Is there any progress on schools/community facilities earmarked in the plan? Have there been discussions with the Dept of Education or community groups?

Council has met with the education department and shared information with them about the predicted population growth for catchment areas, existing capacity of surrounding schools and locations within the overall growth zone area. While Council can provide information and suggestions for timing of schools it is a department decision when they are funded, and the schools in our municipality are prioritised amongst all others for the state.

Council has recently opened the Bonshaw Early Learning Centre and Lucas Community Hub which both provide two new kindergarten rooms and maternal health services for the growth area along with community spaces. The kindergarten service at Lucas Community Hub is delivered by YMCA and the Bonshaw Kindergarten is run by Eureka Community Kindergarten Association.

4. Any word on the Delacombe reserve master plan?

At this stage there has been no development of a reserve master plan.

5. What initiatives is council getting behind to build communities and a sense of place in new growth zones like Delacombe/Lucas?

Ballarat Long-Term Growth Options Investigation Report – The project seeks to put in place a strategic framework to determine the long-term future urban growth corridor options for Ballarat and maintain a 15 year supply of available land for residential development into the future, as required by the state government.

6. When's the next big precinct structure plan due to be released?

What’s happening next?

Early-mid 2019; present report to Council for consideration for adoption and to proceed to a Planning Scheme Amendment.