Ballarat Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor says his city not only meets, but exceeds the criteria to become Australia’s first regional city with ‘priority status’, as outlined today by the CEO of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott.  Cr Taylor says given Ballarat’s preparedness and credentials it could become a test case for this new approach to regional development.  Ms Westacott’s call on the Morrison government to select 10 regional towns to be given  priority status to stimulate economic growth and ‘power the economy outside Sydney and Melbourne’, came today during her address to the National Press Club.  Cr Taylor says Ms Westacott’s call matches Ballarat’s own ambitions.  “Our planning and roll out to further enhance Ballarat’s capabilities and credentials as a regional powerhouse capable of stimulating economic growth and accommodate Victoria’s growing population, is well advanced”, Cr Taylor said.  “Our city is already exploring opportunities that will help us secure government backing to fast track planning for infrastructure and initiatives that will stimulate and support sustainable economic and population growth.  “We welcome Ms Westacott’s call for selected cities to be given priority status - given Ballarat’s credentials and preparedness we offer ourselves as test case for this enlightened approach”, Cr Taylor said.   “Ballarat is perfectly positioned to become Australia’s first regional city with priority status.

Buninyong residents are invited to upcoming information sessions about proposed works at one of the village’s best loved community spaces.

The countdown is on to Ballarat’s first Fringe Benefits Festival, a non-stop,12- hour celebration of live music, performance and discovery in some of the City’s most unexpected and intriguing CBD loca…

The City of Ballarat is updating the Yarrowee River Corridor Masterplan and is seeking community input into their vision for this environmental asset.  The project, jointly funded with Central Highlan…

Contractors for the City of Ballarat were active this morning removing a dangerous tree in accordance with the urgency of it needing to be removed, not only because of its condition, but in light of t…

Parking in the newly opened Creswick Road car park will be free until January 31 as part of the City of Ballarat’s Smarter Parking Stage 2 roll-out.

The latest City of Ballarat CEO’s Operational Report highlights: Key achievements, projects and events delivered Children’s Week activities, with seven City of Ballarat departments taking part, includ…

City of Ballarat currently maintains a number of unsealed roads within the urban area.