Ballarat: Our Future

Welcome to Ballarat: Our Future! Starting afresh in 2021, Ballarat City Council is working on a range of new medium and long-term plans and we need you to help us set the direction.

We are developing a new:

Community Vision - a long-term vision that outlines the Ballarat you want to see in 2031

Financial Plan - a long-term plan that ensures that Council has the financial resources to implement its plans and strategies over the coming 10 years

Council Plan - a four year plan that outlines how Council will play its role in meeting the Community Vision and outlining its strategic priorities

Council Budget - a four year plan (to be reviewed annually) that sets out Council income and expenditure in order to implement the Council Plan

Revenue and Rating Plan - a four year plan that outlines how Council will generate income to support the implementation of the Council Plan

Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan - a plan that outlines how Council will work to promote health and wellbeing in the City of Ballarat

In late 2019, Council engaged with community about the Ballarat they wanted to see in the future. From that emerged Ballarat's Prosperity Framework with its five 'golden threads' that weave the future of Ballarat. They are:

Our appetite for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology – we adapt and respond to opportunities and challenges to build a strong local economy and a better life for all

Our innate creativity - we assist in the development and sustainability of the creative individual, businesses and sectors

Our heritage – we value and protect our heritage including our streetscapes, public spaces, stories, people and culture, including Aboriginal cultural heritage, and sense of place

Our future sustainability – we value and protect our natural environment and look for opportunities to improve health, quality of life and the economy at the same time

Our resilient and supportive community – we are a connected, healthy and compassionate community where everyone feels welcome and valued

Continuing on from what you told us in late 2019, you will see these themes throughout our engagement activities. We have a range of different ways to be involved including our:

• Short Survey
• Community Priorities Survey
• Time of a Thousand Conversations (host a conversation with your friends, family, group or club)
• Community Conversations in a park near you
• Activities where you tell us how you would allocate resources to infrastructure, services and activities

Sign up to receive updates as we launch the different parts of our community engagement process until March 7.