The City of Ballarat is set for a massive injection of building works in 2011 following the receipt of planning applications valued at $108 million in December 2010.

The City’s Planning Activity report reveals that 2010 was a record year for lodgements, with Council receiving 1189 separate planning applications and issuing 1179 planning permits.

“There are some exciting projects to come for this city in the next year or two,” Cr Craig Fletcher, Mayor of Ballarat said.

Council issued planning permits on 63 residential projects, 19 commercial projects and 7 industrial sites.

Building Permits for projects worth $71.5 million dollars were also issued in November and December.  Council issued 77 permits valued at $7.3 million while private building surveyors issued 293 permits valued at $64.2 million.

“Ballarat is going from strength to strength and the level of building activity in our community is proof of this”, Cr Fletcher said.

“Our CBD strategy is also a step closer with the granting of planning approval for a $6.5 million office block in Mair Street, Ballarat. This project is proof that people have confidence to invest”.

“Ballarat’s population is surging ahead with growth at 2.3%, that’s well above the predicted growth of 1.7% per annum”, Cr Fletcher said.

Council also received a planning application for the $40 million education centre at Ballarat University.

Ballarat’s population is expected to increase by an additional 30,000 people over the next 15 years and the City of Ballarat is working hard to ensure that building across the region keeps pace with people’s needs and expectations.

The Ballarat West project will deliver 14,000 new homes and the Employment Zone is being developed to become an integrated transport and business hub providing jobs and investment opportunities into the future.