Mid-century vision for region taking shape

THE Committee for Ballarat will take the next step in developing its long-term concept plan for the region when it hosts a members’ forum later this month.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny will deliver the keynote address, with other speakers to include recently-appointed Commissioner of Economic Growth Victoria and Better Regulation Victoria, Katrina McKenzie.

It will take place at The Goods Shed from 12.15pm to 5.30pm on Thursday 23 October.

The event is part of the committee’s work on Vision 2050, a project announced earlier this year with the aim of establishing a shared vision for what Ballarat and the region could and should look like in 2050.

Committee CEO Michael Poulton said it was hoped to have a draft version available for members at the end of November and a final vision by the start of next year.

“The Committee for Ballarat’s mantra is always about thinking ahead, what the long-term view of the region is,” Mr Poulton said.

He said the City of Ballarat had previously prepared a 2040 vision and the committee itself had prepared a similar outline for 2030.

“So we’ve always had this 20 to 25-year lens at least underpinning the work that we do,” he said.

Mr Poulton said committee members and stakeholders were contributing thoughts and ideas to the process, while both the State and Federal governments were key players through their respective regional development bodies.

The State Government has already adopted a similar 2050 vision called Plan for Victoria, which describes aspirations for the entire state.

As part of that plan, a Planning Policy Framework is being implemented in Victorian planning systems as a blueprint for Victoria’s planning schemes, containing policies and provisions that will influence development and land use across the state.

Mr Poulton said that, given that the committee is non-partisan and non-political, it was encouraging to see a government taking a longer-term view rather than just focusing on the next election cycle.

He said the final vision would use members’ voices to “articulate the type of community that we would see, in 2050, that would reflect this notion of a vibrant, prosperous, inclusive, connected community.”

“Our vision for 2050 is really an articulation of the heart and soul of Ballarat and our region with a 25-year lens,” Mr Poulton said.

The Committee for Ballarat draws its membership from virtually every sector and level of the local economy, from large employers to sole traders.