The Draft Budget 2023/24 is a product of feedback from the Ballarat community in alignment with the Council Plan 2021-2025. Residents have informed Council what is important to them, and Council has listened.

Council is making long term plans to invest in residents’ priorities and backing them up with budget allocations. Now you can have your say on the budget priorities that matter to you.

With an eye to the growth of the city, the Draft Budget 2023/24 is delivering on big, ongoing projects that improve liveability for all residents. However, given the current economic climate, Council has worked hard to deliver a budget that is also financially responsible in the long-term.  

This Draft Budget 2023/24 has been prepared through a rigorous, transparent process of consultation with the community, detailed review, analysis and input from Councillors, officers and management. This process has consolidated investment priorities including ongoing community infrastructure projects, internal resourcing in key departments, and civil infrastructure projects. Building on the momentum of the Council Plan, Council will continue to deliver the existing services and maintain existing assets.  

Highlights

- Significant investment in ongoing community infrastructure projects such as the restoration of Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Ballarat Library redevelopment, the Bridge Mall Redevelopment, the Sebastopol Community Hub, and the Airport Runway extension.


- An increased investment in infrastructure such as roads, footpaths and drainage. This includes $3.1 million in drainage projects across the city, $36.3 million for Capital Road Infrastructure, and doubling the Asphalting Overlay program from $1 million to $2 million. 


- An increase in resources in the City of Ballarat internal Statutory and Strategic Planning teams to keep up with the demands of Ballarat’s rapid growth. 


The draft budget proposes no new borrowings for the 2023/24 financial year. The $129.4 million dollar capital works budget will be funded through revenue generation and existing reserves. 


Community consultation

Residents can provide feedback on the Draft Budget 2023/24 from Friday 28 April until 5pm Friday 19 May.

Residents can access the draft budget at the City of Ballarat Customer Service Centre, Town Hall and here.

The City of Ballarat will host two public information sessions for the community to gain a better understanding of the draft budget. Registration for these sessions is encouraged and are scheduled as follows: 

  • Tuesday 2 May 1-2pm – Ballarat Town Hall  
  • Tuesday 9 May 5-6pm – Virtual (Registration required)

Please email jasonclissold@ballarat.vic.gov.au to register for these sessions.

Members of the community who provide feedback on the draft budget can also request to be heard at the Unscheduled Council Meeting on Wednesday 7 June at 6.30pm.  

You can provide feedback online up until Friday 19 May at 5pm.


Where to from here?

  • 26 May 2023 - Submitters who have requested to speak to their submission will be provided further information regarding the unscheduled meeting on 7 June.
  • 28 June 2023 – Draft Budget considered following the consideration of all feedback.
  • July 2023 – A response will be provided to submitters regarding their specific feedback.

Further information

For further information please contact Jason Clissold – Executive Manager Financial Services on jasonclissold@ballarat.vic.gov.au

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City of Ballarat Draft Budget 2023/24

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