Businesses and employers invited to Ararat in Transition session

Ararat business owners and employers are being invited to give their feedback on the Ararat in Transition project at an information session next Thursday night.

Ararat in Transition is a Council-led study project that will develop a strategic plan for the town in light of significant changes including the planned bypass, highway upgrades, cultural and recreational infrastructure needs, and public and private investment.

Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said to address these changes, further residential, commercial and industrial development would be needed.

“Council is keen to develop a strategic plan for this development and it’s vital to get the input of key stakeholders such as service authorities, business owners, landowners and developers,” Dr Harrison said.

“The key objectives of the project include developing a plan to promote residential development in Ararat over the next 10 years, and an action plan to promote a sustainable economy that doesn’t rely solely on Ararat’s traditional ‘highway town’ characteristics.

“The project will also identify opportunities to increase housing stock and provide greater housing diversity and affordability, and aim to unlock development sites for commercial and business investment.”

Dr Harrison said the first stage of the project was to hold targeted consultation with stakeholders including the information session with business owners and employers next week.

He said the information gleaned during the consultations would be used to form the basis of the action plan.

“Council will invite government agencies and service authorities to a meet with us to review the draft plan to ensure we understand how the various parts of the project intersect.

“Business owners and employers are a vital part of this project so we hope they can come along next Thursday night. As a key employment driver directly impacting and impacted by these changes, we want to hear from them about the role they play in Ararat’s future population and economic growth.”

The Ararat in Transition project session for business owners will be held on Thursday 13 February from 5.30pm at the Leopold Hotel, Barkly Street, Ararat. Nibbles are provided, and the session will include a presentation from the project team followed by a group discussion.