With the 2025 federal election now underway, leaders from the Greater Ballarat region are calling for bipartisan support to enhance infrastructure and services critical to their communities’ growth and well-being. The Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC), comprising the City of Ballarat and the Shires of Central Goldfields, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool, and Pyrenees, has identified key priorities requiring federal intervention: housing, transport, digital connectivity, and local government financial sustainability.
During their recent quarterly meeting in Daylesford, GBAC members emphasised the necessity of strategic investments to accommodate the region’s rapid growth. GBAC Chair and Ballarat Mayor, Councillor Tracey Hargreaves, highlighted the importance of equitable access to essential services for the increasing number of residents choosing regional and rural areas.
Housing: GBAC advocates for urgent federal investment in critical infrastructure to support new housing developments. This includes funding for essential services such as water, sewerage, and roads to unlock housing supply in growth areas and alleviate pressure on Melbourne’s urban sprawl. A proposed multi-year infrastructure investment program aims to facilitate regional housing development and deliver these critical services.
Transport: Upgrading major transport corridors, including the Western and Midland Highways, is a priority to improve safety, reduce congestion, and support economic growth. Enhancing public transport links and improving freight networks are also essential components of this initiative. The Ballarat Integrated Transport Action Plan outlines a vision for a sustainable, connected city with efficient public transport, walking, and cycling options to address population growth and promote a smart city approach.
Digital Infrastructure: GBAC calls for the creation of a regional digital infrastructure fund to address inconsistent mobile coverage and slow internet speeds that hinder access to essential services like telehealth. The Victorian Government’s Connecting Victoria initiative aims to make the state the most connected in Australia by investing in mobile, broadband, and Wi-Fi infrastructure, helping residents work, study, and stay in touch with loved ones.
Financial Sustainability: A fairer funding model that accurately reflects the true cost of providing local government services is crucial. GBAC emphasises the need for financial arrangements that ensure councils can sustainably deliver services and infrastructure to their communities.
These priorities align with the “Ballarat Now and Into the Future – Enabling Growth” advocacy campaign, a collaboration among nine of Ballarat’s key organisations representing health, education, tourism, commercial, local government, and advocacy sectors. The campaign seeks major investment in infrastructure to support growth ahead of the 2025 federal election.
As the federal election nears, GBAC’s unified advocacy underscores the critical need for strategic investments to support the Greater Ballarat region’s growth.
“We are seeking bi-partisan support for measures that will ensure our residents and businesses have access to adequate housing, transport, digital connectivity and infrastructure services required to drive this region’s prosperity,” Cr Hargreaves said. “This is about fairness and equality for the increasing number of people who are choosing to live, work and spend their time in our regional and rural areas. Transformative infrastructure projects and regionally significant priorities are critical to ensuring regional industries and communities can thrive and achieve their potential.”
This article is based on a media release from the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils.
