A plan for Ballarat’s next phase of growth has been unveiled which will develop a range of infrastructure in the region.
City of Ballarat Mayor Joshua Morris said the Ballarat Regional Capital Plan, launched by Premier Dennis Napthine in December, would provide a strategic investment framework for accelerating the growth of Ballarat and the western region of Victoria.
“Ballarat is the capital of western Victoria and is already one of Australia’s fastest growing regional centers, with population growth nearing two percent and a projected population of more than 128,000 by 2026.
“After a decade of sustained growth, we are on the cusp of another significant moment in the story of our city.
“The Ballarat Regional Capital Plan aims to attract more than $800 million of private and public investment to projects that will deliver balanced and productive growth in our city.
“Our plan seeks to further build Ballarat as an economic powerhouse within the Victorian Government’s vision of Victoria as a state of cities.
The Ballarat Regional Capital Strategy is targeted at key job creation opportunities, which will be the focus of significant activity in the lead up to the 2014 state election.
A key project identified in the plan is state funding of $28.5 million to develop the first stage of the Ballarat West Employment Zone, potentially triggering $230 million in private investment, and generating up to $5 billion of annual economic activity and up to 9000 jobs.
Other projects listed include encouraging a government agency to relocate to Ballarat and the region resulting in an additional $195 million of annual economic activity, $29 million to upgrade Her Majesty’s Theatre, and funding of $21.7 million to build a new waste to energy facility in the region.
Two potential options also exist for the delivery of a major exhibition facility in Ballarat, at either the Major Events Precinct or the Railway Station redevelopment.
“We’re now looking for the State Government and Opposition to tell us which of these projects they want to pursue,” said Councillor Morris.
“In launching our plan this evening, we wanted to give the maximum opportunity for either side to make their choices.
“The Ballarat Regional Capital Plan maps out the next phase of jobs growth for our region.
“No longer will people think of our city in terms of our grand past, but also our burgeoning future.”
