Media Response |

We aspire to better connect our community, to develop the thinking, undertake the research and generate the innovation that will make Ballarat a place of prosperity.

To do this we’re calling for the support for a suit of projects which improve road, rail and air linkages across the region and with Melbourne and Geelong, as well as, a number of projects that ensure we deliver on our role as the Capital of Western Victoria.

Integrated Rail  Ballarat will be a transport hub from which rail, air and road links will radiate out, better connecting the city with the region, the rest of Victoria and the nation more broadly. Enhanced air, rail and road connections will help the region prosper. 

Ballarat Link Road Stage 2 Stage 2 of the Ballarat Link Road is a major arterial link connecting the residential growth zone on Ballarat's western fringes. Once completed it will improve travel times for residents; reduce congestion and traffic-related pollution in the heart of the city; and dramatically improve safety - reducing truck volumes and road crashes by 20 per cent. 

Upgrades to the Ballarat Airport to make it a fully-functional integrated regional airport. This is essential, core infrastructure for Ballarat to grow and prosper.

As Ballarat continues to grow in size, influence and strategic importance it’s extremely important we’re connected.

The City of Ballarat is growing rapidly (1.8% pa) - the population is forecast to reach 137,000 by 2031 (Victoria in Future 2016) but has the potential to reach 200,000 by the year 2040.   

This intensifies the need to ensure Ballarat’s core air, rail and road transport infrastructure can accommodate such growth; and that they meet the standard expected of this large regional city – the commercial, service and cultural capital of Western Victoria. 

BIRCH – Ballarat Innovation and Research Collaboration for Health also supports our capacity to improve effective business collaboration and drive new investment opportunities. The BIRCH will bring together the research facilities of Ballarat’s public and private hospitals and universities into an innovative health care research hub in the Ballarat Health, Knowledge and City Living Precinct.  It will create local career research pathways and significantly enhance Ballarat’s ability to attract research income and researchers, leading to collaborative research grant submissions and strong philanthropic and community engagement. 

All-Waste Interchange in support of new energy.  City of Ballarat continues to pursue its ambition to be the national leader in the circular economy, including turn municipal waste into a secure energy supply for business. An All-Waste Interchange would provide for a central receival point for council’s kerbside collection service for general waste, recyclables, and green waste. 

Her Majesty’s Theatre is also another priority project we’re calling on support for. Federal funding ($5M) will ensure the full scope of the required works can be delivered as a matter of urgency.  Funding will ensure critical works are undertaken to make Her Majesty’s Ballarat more accessible, safer and functional, as well as, ensure audiences and performers can enjoy a premium entertainment experience in a space which seamlessly blends historical ambience and modern functionality.