Council to host big chat at Civic Hall

A ONE stop pop-up shop for Ballarat’s council will be held at Civic Hall this month to highlight the services on offer to residents.

The Let’s Chat Ballarat Community Expo will run on Thursday 26 March and Friday 27 March.

Residents will have the chance to speak to City of Ballarat councillors as well as staff from an array of services, view project displays and take part in activities.

Last year’s event attracted about 500 residents.

“I think staff really took great ownership over it as well because all the different departments had their own tables set up,” City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said at the expo’s launch last week.

“People might have walked in to ask a question about animal services but actually on the way walked past the waste team and been able to find out questions about the new bin system or the aquatic centre.”

Cr Hargreaves said the level of accessibility offered last year worked well for everyone.

“I think sometimes people just don’t realise how accessible council can be,” she said. “You can ask us questions at any time just by getting in touch with customer services, but I think the beauty of this event is that it really will actually just show people the breadth of what council does, and they might find out about things they’re interested in but they just didn’t even know existed.”

This year the expo’s sessions have been extended, and Ballarat businesses will also be showcasing their products.

Mondegreen Café, which won the council’s 2025 Hot Choc Showdown, and Mrs Browne Bakes, which took out Ballarat’s Best Pie 2025, will offer coffee, hot chocolate and sweet treats for purchase.

There will also be door prizes, giveaways, a children’s colouring competition and live radio broadcasts throughout the day.

The 26 March event will run from 4pm to 8pm, and the 27 March event from 9am to 1pm.

More information at ballarat.vic.gov.au.