Ballarat Regional Capital Plan projects to deliver $3.4 billion in economic impact


Projects outlined in the Ballarat Regional Capital Plan will deliver $3.4 billion in economic impact for Ballarat.

The Ballarat launch of the Regional Capital Plan was held this evening at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, after it was introduced by the Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine in Melbourne last week.

City of Ballarat Mayor Joshua Morris said the Ballarat Regional Capital Plan provides 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 centres, with population growth nearing two per cent 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.”

“This investment will return $3.4 billion in economic impact for Ballarat, plus an additional $2.4 billion of annual economic activity for every following year.”

“Our Plan seeks to further build Ballarat as an economic powerhouse within the Victorian Government’s vision of Victoria as a state of cities.”

Mayor Morris said the Ballarat Regional Capital Plan outlines a range of projects for Ballarat, all of which are deliverable and will have big impacts on our city and the region.

Key projects identified in the plan include:

  • State funding of $28.5 million to develop the first stage of the Ballarat West Employment Zone, delivering a 100 hectare first stage, triggering $230 million in private investment.
  • Encouraging a government agency to relocate to Ballarat and the region, resulting in an additional $195 million of annual economic activity,
  • Provision of $29 million to upgrade Her Majesty’s Theatre, Australia’s oldest continuously running theatre,
  • Funding of $21.7 million to build a new waste to energy facility in the region,
  • Two potential options 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.”

“We do not want to leave either the Government or the Opposition in any doubt as to what the City of Ballarat is seeking.

“The Ballarat Regional Capital Plan maps out the next phase of jobs growth for our region.”

Committee for Ballarat Chair Judy Verlin commended Council on its strength and vision and called on government to be an active partner in its implementation.

“This is the leadership the Committee has been seeking from our local government representatives. It's a shared vision, jointly developed by Ballarat council with broad range of regional stakeholders”, Ms Verlin said.

The Ballarat Regional Capital Plan is targeted at key job creation opportunities, which will be the focus of significant activity in the lead up to the 2014 state election.

For more information visit City of Ballarat