Christmas and New Year closures
City of Ballarat Core Services
Customer service
City of Ballarat offices, including Customer Service, will be closed from Christmas Day, reopening Tuesday 3 January 2023 at 8.30am.
While our business hours Customer Services team is closed, you can still raise requests online via forms.ballarat.vic.gov.au or by using the Snap Send Solve app. You can also raise urgent matters by calling 03 5320 5500 and following the prompts to speak with our afterhours service.
Ballarat Visitor Information Centre
The Ballarat Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, reopening Boxing Day at 10am.
Waste services
Kerbside waste, recycling and green waste collections will take place as per usual collection days. The Ballarat Transfer Station will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Family and Children’s Services
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centres will be closed from Christmas Day until Tuesday 3 January 2023.
The 24-hour MCH line for support/advice is 13 22 29. A limited service for booked families with newborn babies will operate from Girrabanya MCH.
Immunisation services will be closed from Christmas Day until Thursday 5 January 2023.
Central kindergarten registrations remain available online at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au.
Children’s Centres at Girrabanya and Wendouree will be closed from Christmas Eve until Wednesday 4 January 2023. Family Day Care is dependent upon individual Educators.
The Children’s Centre at Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre will be closed from Christmas Eve until Monday 16 January.
Supported Playgroups will cease from Friday 9 December and will recommence in February 2023.
Parent Place will close Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Aging Well and Meals on Wheels
Ageing Well will continue to provide personal care support from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 December, resuming full in-home services from Tuesday 3 January 2023.
The Social Connections program will commence early January 2023.
The Meals on Wheels program will operate during the Christmas and New Year period as usual. Meal recipients will be contacted early December to confirm delivery arrangements.
The Regional Assessment Service will be closed from Friday 23 December, reopening on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
City of Ballarat Community Services
Ballarat Animal Shelter
The Ballarat Animal Shelter will be closed from Christmas Day, reopening Wednesday 28 December at 9am. The Shelter will also be closed on Monday 2 January 2023.
The after-hours animal management emergency service will operate from Friday 23 December until Tuesday 3 January and can be reached via phone on 5320 5500. The after-hours team will provide response to dog attacks, livestock on roads, injured animals, lost pet queries and emergency assistance.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Robert Clark Conservatory
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is open every day. The Robert Clark Conservatory will be closed on Christmas Day.
Ballarat Libraries
Ballarat and Wendouree Libraries will closed from Christmas Day until Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Sebastopol Library will be closed from Christmas Day to Tuesday 27 December, and will reopen on Wednesday 28 December at 9.30am. The Sebastopol Library will also be closed on Monday 2 January 2023.
Online services will be available during this time, including the library’s downloadable collection. For full details please visit centralhighlandslibraries.org.au.
Eureka Centre
The Eureka Centre will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reopening Tuesday 27 December at 10am.
The Ballarat Research Hub at Eureka will be closed from Friday 23 December, reopening Monday 9 January 2023.
Swimming pools
The Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre (BALC) and all outdoor pools will be closed on Christmas Day. For information on BALC public holiday hours and on outdoor pool opening hours, visit ballarataquaticcentre.com.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
The Art Gallery of Ballarat will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reopening Tuesday 27 December at 10am.