The City of Ballarat has released its updated Community Vision 2025 - 2035 and draft Council Plan 2025 - 2029, outlining its priorities for the next four years.
The development and ongoing review of the Council Plan is a statutory requirement following each local government general election. Ballarat City Council's draft document has been compiled over several months that included a two-stage community engagement process conducted in late 2024 and early 2025.
The community engagement process also included a review and update of the 10-year Community Vision to ensure it remains relevant.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the community engagement process was a valuable tool in developing the draft Council Plan.
"We heard from more than 1,700 Ballarat residents and a further 43 residents participated in the community panel. The insights provided through these channels showed us what our community's priorities are and interestingly, how they have shifted," Cr Hargreaves said.
The Community Vision was first adopted in 2021 as a 10-year outlook. The revised vision now extends through to 2035 and specifies community safety as a priority, as well as the desire for our city to work towards expanding the local economy and attracting a diverse range of industries.
"The draft Council Plan 2025 - 2029 outlines the steps Council will take over the next four years to achieve the vision," Cr Hargreaves said.
"It articulates very clearly what Council will prioritise and balance to best support our community, and we look forward to working with and for our community as we bring this plan to life over the coming years."
The revised Community Vision 2025 - 2035 and draft Council Plan 2025 - 2029 are now open for review and community feedback via the City of Ballarat's mySay website.
Ballarat residents have until Friday, 16 May to make a submission before the final plan and vision are considered by Council at the June Council Meeting.
Ballarat residents are also encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Councillor Roadshow sessions where they can discuss the revised Community Vision and draft Council Plan directly with Council officers and their ward Councillor. Details of upcoming sessions can be found here.
