Community members and local business owners are invited to attend a drop-in information session about the proposed Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ), on Thursday 20 October upstairs at the Ballarat Town Hall. The information session will be open from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
Job creation for our growing population is the motivation behind the development of the BWEZ. With 30,000 people expected to move to Ballarat over the next 15 years, the City of Ballarat is working to create employment opportunities for existing and future residents.
The session is an opportunity to find out more about the proposed employment zone, which is currently undergoing a Master Planning process to map out how the precinct will be developed over the next 20 years.
City of Ballarat Mayor Craig Fletcher said Council had already undertaken consultation on the project, with a workshop in August and a follow-up session held specifically for nearby residents and businesses last night.
“The two sessions undertaken to date have been very productive in assisting the project team in understanding how stakeholders wish to see the development take shape. The sessions have also allowed us to provide feedback on how local concerns and ideas have been considered in the Master Planning process.”
“We now want to have a conversation with the broader Ballarat community about this project. I encourage any residents or business owners who want to learn more about the project to attend the upcoming session on 20 October. It will be an opportunity to chat to the project team about the Employment Zone and the Master Planning Process”.
“Importantly, this is the first of a number of general community information sessions that will ensure the community is kept informed as the project progresses.”
The BWEZ is part of the larger Ballarat West project which includes the Western Link Road and the Ballarat West Growth Area. The BWEZ project specifically aims to unlock land for industry, create jobs and generate investment to support the needs of our growing population.
Through careful and responsive planning, Council has determined this large parcel of land situated in close proximity to the Ballarat West Growth Zone, the Ballarat Airport and rail infrastructure and the future Western Link Road as being ideal for the future industry and employment activity.
A Business Case is being prepared in conjunction with the Master Plan to assist in securing funding for the project.
Upon completion of the Master Plan, a Planning Scheme Amendment will be undertaken to rezone the land. This process allows for further public consultation. If the Planning Scheme Amendment proceeds the development of the area will then proceed in stages with the first stage likely to begin in line with the Western Link Road.