Council considering growth north and further west

TWO Growth Investigation Areas in Ballarat’s north and west could see the city’s next greenfield urban developments.

Council’s conservative estimations see Ballarat’s population at 160,000 by 2040, and the Mount Rowan precinct, north of the Western Highway, has potential to be a residential and broader community development area accommodating growth while providing services.

The option of expanding further to Ballarat’s west is also under discussion. Development here could house 10,000 people, close to multiple major shopping, community, health and childcare centres recently established.

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh said council officers are looking at growth fronts where some degree of infrastructure in already in place.

“It makes it affordable… It’s that 10, 15-minute focus as well, because we want to make sure we have a compact city and that the provisions of a healthy city are accessible,” she said.

The farming area of Mount Rowan could link with the south of Miners Rest, offering the Ballarat lifestyle with a country feel.

“The equine precinct is a great big part of the personality. Its lovely, larger blocks are a little different,” Cr McIntosh said.

“It’s nice to have a choice and diversity of style of land release. It’s nice for us to provide growth fronts that are not all the same.”

She said the city has a responsibility to work with farming communities to make sure they have what they need.

“We communicate and negotiate with the farming communities whilst we’re considering new growth fronts.

“We’ve spent a significant amount of time working and consulting with the community, discussing growth fronts, time frames and what should come next.

“There won’t be any surprise to the property owners.”

In the middle of a boom, council is mindful of broader culture and heritage, facilities and community needs, not just housing.

“There needs to be the appropriate provisions for skilled workforce, for young families, schools, healthcare and the likes,” Cr McIntosh said.

“The growth we’re planning for needs to include neighbourhood centres. We’ve trialled this with other developments like the Lucas and Delacombe areas.”

A recommendation for the Northern and Western Growth Investigation Areas will be considered at council’s 30 October meeting.