TWO Growth Investigation Areas in Ballarat\u2019s north and west could see the city\u2019s next greenfield urban developments.<\/p>\n
Council\u2019s conservative estimations see Ballarat\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The option of expanding further to Ballarat\u2019s west is also under discussion. Development here could house 10,000 people, close to multiple major shopping, community, health and childcare centres recently established.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh said council officers are looking at growth fronts where some degree of infrastructure in already in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes it affordable… It\u2019s 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The farming area of Mount Rowan could link with the south of Miners Rest, offering the Ballarat lifestyle with a country feel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe equine precinct is a great big part of the personality. Its lovely, larger blocks are a little different,\u201d Cr McIntosh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a choice and diversity of style of land release. It\u2019s nice for us to provide growth fronts that are not all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the city has a responsibility to work with farming communities to make sure they have what they need.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe communicate and negotiate with the farming communities whilst we\u2019re considering new growth fronts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve spent a significant amount of time working and consulting with the community, discussing growth fronts, time frames and what should come next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere won\u2019t be any surprise to the property owners.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the middle of a boom, council is mindful of broader culture and heritage, facilities and community needs, not just housing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be the appropriate provisions for skilled workforce, for young families, schools, healthcare and the likes,\u201d Cr McIntosh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe growth we\u2019re planning for needs to include neighbourhood centres. We\u2019ve trialled this with other developments like the Lucas and Delacombe areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
A recommendation for the Northern and Western Growth Investigation Areas will be considered at council\u2019s 30 October meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TWO Growth Investigation Areas in Ballarat\u2019s north and west could see the city\u2019s next greenfield urban developments. Council\u2019s conservative estimations see Ballarat\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n