Mayor's Message - Friday 13 February 2026

I am proud to share that we recently launched the City of Ballarat’s Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline.

This strategic document is vital in strengthening our city’s voice and ensuring the needs of our community remain firmly on the agenda.

As a Council, we regularly advocate to both state and federal governments for the infrastructure and investment our growing community needs.

The launch of the pipeline comes at a critical time, in the lead-up to the Victorian state election later this year.

The pipeline identifies more than 40 key projects that will deliver real, tangible benefits for our community.  

These include extending the Ballarat Airport runway to enable the continuation of critical aeromedical and emergency services, to vital improvements along major transport corridors in our city’s fastest growing suburbs.

It also includes a range of community projects, such as kindergarten upgrades, community facilities, pedestrian and cycling pathways, sports fields and lighting.

As one of the fastest-growing regional centres in the state, Ballarat is experiencing increasing demand for infrastructure and services to support our expanding population and economy.

At a time when high construction costs pose significant challenges for local government, investment from other levels of government is critical to the successful delivery of the projects that matter most to our residents.

The pipeline has delivered real results over many years for our community, securing significant investment for Ballarat.

In the most recent previous edition, 16 priority projects attracted funding through election commitments, budgets, and State and Federal grants, delivering a combined $44.2 million in investment for our region.  

Ultimately, the pipeline is about planning for the future – making sure we have the right infrastructure in place to support our city as it continues to grow.

These projects will help attract investment, generate jobs, improve access to essential services, and enhance quality of life for people right across our municipality.

I am excited about what this means for Ballarat’s future. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected and more resilient municipality.

View the Advocacy Priority Projects page to learn more.