City of Ballarat launches Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline ahead of Victorian state election

The City of Ballarat has launched its Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline (APPP), a strategic initiative to secure vital investment needed to support Ballarat’s future growth, ahead of the 2026 Victorian state election.

The pipeline identifies more than 40 projects – from transformational infrastructure projects through to a range of community projects across Ballarat, improving liveability and ensuring Ballarat continues to thrive as a regional hub.

Projects are categorised into Tier 1 – large scale projects of regional significance, Tier 2 – projects of city-wide significance, and Tier 3 – projects of local or neighbourhood significance.

Tier 1 initiatives include:  

• Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat – (Ballarat Airport), which will see the stage 2 upgrade of Ballarat’s existing runway, would provide significant benefits to Ballarat and the Western Victoria region. It would allow vital medical transfer services to continue and support bushfire prevention in western Victoria by enabling large aerial tankers to operate to and from the airport.    
• Circular Economy Precinct – at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, which will be anchored by a Materials Recovery Facility with capacity to sort up to 30,000 tonnes of recyclables from Ballarat and the Grampians West region each year, and support waste management businesses to be set up in Ballarat.  
• Dyson Drive Duplication and Ballarat-Carngham Road Upgrade – which will deliver vital road infrastructure for the growing number of residents who live in the Ballarat West Growth Area suburbs of Lucas, Winter Valley and Alfredton.  
• Wendouree Library and Learning Centre – which will provide library and other community services to residents of established suburbs and more than 18,000 future residents in the Ballarat northern growth zone.    

The Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline also includes a range of community projects, such as kindergarten upgrades, community facilities, pedestrian and cycling pathways, sports fields and lighting.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the launch of the Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline demonstrates Council’s commitment to advocating for the needs of the community right across the Ballarat municipality.

“The Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline ensures Ballarat has a strong voice in the lead-up to the state election,” she said.

“As one of the fastest-growing regional centres in the state, our city is facing increasing demand for services, infrastructure and investment to support our growing population and economy.

“With ongoing high construction costs, investment from other levels of government is critical to the successful delivery of the projects our community needs.

“These projects will deliver real benefits for our residents – from extending the Ballarat Airport runway to enable the continuation of critical aeromedical and emergency services to vital improvements to key transport corridors in Ballarat’s fastest growing suburbs.

“The APPP will help ensure Ballarat’s future growth is supported by the right infrastructure, and will attract investment, create jobs, improve service access, and enhance quality of life for residents.”  

Projects in the APPP are supported by existing Council plans and strategies.

The APPP has been distributed to the Victorian Premier, Treasurer, the Opposition Leader and Shadow Treasurer, as well as Cabinet Ministers and Shadow Ministers with portfolios that align with Tier 1 and 2 projects.

The pipeline will serve as a roadmap for engagement with the State Members for Eureka, Ripon, Wendouree and Members for Western Victoria, candidates and stakeholders in the lead up to the state election, highlighting the importance of investment in the Ballarat region.

Cr Hargreaves said the City of Ballarat had a proven track record in advocating for the community.

“The APPP has delivered real results over many years for our community, securing significant investment for Ballarat,” she said.

In the most recent previous edition, 16 priority projects attracted funding through election commitments, budgets, and State and Federal grants, delivering more than $44 million in investment for our region.

This includes:  

• $17.7 million in State Building Blocks Funding for Kindergarten expansions, upgrades and new facilities at sites across the municipality including Brown Hill, Delacombe, Lucas and Winter Valley
• $9 million in Federal and State funding for the Vickers Street Community Hub  
• $5 million in State funding for Frank Bourke Oval Facilities Upgrades  
• $1.1 million in Federal funding for an Aeromedical Patient Transfer and Emergency Services Facility at Ballarat Airport and
• $1 million in Federal and State funding for the Continuous Voices Memorial  

To view the City of Ballarat’s Advocacy Priority Project Pipeline visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/about-us/advocacy-priority-projects.