Strategic Planning

The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils develop integrated, long-term plans for the sustainable development and well-being of their communities. Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 the City of Ballarat is required to ensure the Ballarat Planning Scheme – the key statutory document guiding land use decisions in the Ballarat municipality – reflects the current objectives, policies and controls for the use, development and protection of land.​

The Strategic Planning team responds to the requirements of State legislation and the pressures of municipal change by preparing strategic documentation to be implemented via the Ballarat Planning Scheme.

Email: strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Phone: Customer Service on 5320 5500

• Housing Strategy 2041​
• Growth Areas Framework Plan- Western and North Western Growth Areas​

City Strategies Program ​

The City Strategies Program is a suite of Strategic Planning projects designed to provide direction and guidance across the municipality to respond to predicted growth and change. 

Key current projects under the City Strategies Program are:

• Industrial Land Strategy – seeks to identify industry growth areas to facilitate development and help drive business investment to support local employment opportunities. ​
• Flood Planning – to develop flood modelling for the City of Ballarat that responds to the predicted challenges of climate change, allowing for infrastructure planning for flood mitigation, emergency response planning for the City of Ballarat and SES and provide confidence for future land use planning.​
• Open Space Strategy – to guide the improvement, acquisition and development of open spaces, parks and reserves across the City of Ballarat.​ 

Urban Renewal Program ​

The Urban Renewal Program groups together three key urban renewal areas identified in the Ballarat Housing Strategy 2041 which seeks to provide for housing growth and housing diversity:

• Ballarat CBD Precinct – developing an urban design framework and precinct structure plan to provide development controls for the CBD​
• La Trobe Street Saleyards Precinct – developing a precinct structure plan to facilitate appropriate uses, development and business growth in the geographical heart of Ballarat. ​
• Wendouree Station Precinct – developing a precinct structure plan to encourage integrated transport solutions and help drive housing development, business growth and job creation on the land around Wendouree train station. ​

More information can be found on the Urban Renewal Program project page 

Integrated Transport Program ​

The Integrated Transport Program has been developed to plan for a connected, efficient and sustainable transport network for a growing Ballarat:

• Principal Pedestrian Network​  
• Regional Strategic Transport Assessment​
• Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy