Ballarat City Council will consider seeking an Amendment to its Planning Scheme to identify two preferred growth areas to accommodate Ballarat’s growing population, estimated to be 160,000 by 2040.
Currently one of the fastest growing inland cities in Australia, Ballarat attracts approximately 2,000 new residents each year.
Council officers have been investigating options for the preferred next greenfield areas for Ballarat, to complement a 50% infill growth goal.
Council will consider at its October 30 meeting a recommendation for the Northern and Western Growth Investigation Areas to be identified for potential greenfield urban development in the medium to long-term.
The Northern Growth Investigation Area is located north of the Western Freeway at Mount Rowan with potential of a new community that could be integrated with Miners Rest south.
The Western Growth Investigation Area is an expansion of the existing growth front to the west and has the potential to create new neighbourhoods of 10,000 population adjacent to Ballarat’s existing growth area.The the two preferred growth areas have been identified as the most cost-effective options to deliver affordable, well serviced development areas to accommodate Ballarat’s population growth in a manner that delivers infrastructure efficiently and contributes to a distinctive and appealing City to live and work.
It is estimated that at current growth rates, up to 25 years land supply will be accommodated through the identification and planning of both the Northern and Western growth areas.
The two sites submitted for Council’s consideration are based on factors including
- The economic benefits and outcomes
- Impacts on cultural identity and place-making for Ballarat
- Environmental benefits including any contaminated-site restoration, improvement of habitat conditions, new greenspace, trees, and stormwater treatment.
The preferred growth areas also meet many of the goals of the Ballarat Strategy including:
- To promote compact urban development and efficient transportation options
- Meet a 15+ year land supply requirement
- Provide housing affordable to all income levels
- Protect, repair, and enhance character and liveability
- Protect, restore, and enhance natural resources.
