Federal member for Ballarat, the Hon Catherine King, launched the newly formed Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) earlier this month.
The alliance is made up of Mayors and CEOs from Hepburn Shire, City of Ballarat, Pyrenees Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Moorabool Shire and Central Goldfields Shire. The alliance replaces the earlier Central Highlands Councils of Victoria.
It has been established to act as a united voice for member councils to tackle common issues such as trunk infrastructure needs of peri-urban growth areas and securing a fair share of Victorian and Commonwealth government funding for the Greater Ballarat region.
The Alliance will be focused on the three priority areas of enhanced public and private transport, enabling growth, and improving digital connectivity.
GBAC’s transport objectives include expanded and improved bus and train services, upgraded roads, and more efficient freight routes.
As part of enabling growth, participating councils are focused on attracting new social and affordable housing, initiating planning law reform, and securing more supporting infrastructure.
The Alliance is also committed to ensuring that mobile broadband coverage is on par with metropolitan areas and resilient enough to sustain emergency communications in the event of bushfire and other natural disasters.
“Strong regional communities need strong regional voices and that is what the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils will deliver for our community,” said Cr Des Hudson OAM, Mayor of the City of Ballarat and Chair, Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils
“A coordinated and collective approach to common issues, such as powerlines and mineral exploration, including advocacy with other levels of government, makes good sense,” said Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.
For more information, visit www.gbac.org.au
