Children under 14 years of age make up over 18% of our population, and that's growing every year.

As a signatory to the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter, the City of Ballarat is committed to being a place where every child feels safe, valued and supported. To help us achieve this commitment, we're seeking feedback from you to develop the next Family and Children's Strategy 2027–2030 (incorporating the Municipal Early Years Plan). This four‑year strategy will guide how we support children aged 0 to 12 years and their families, with a particular focus on the early years.

The Strategy will set out how Council will:

• Support children and families through the services we fund and deliver
• Advocate for the needs of children at local, state and national levels
• Lead and partner with community organisations to create better outcomes
• Provide important information to families about available programs and opportunities
• Plan and build community spaces where children can learn, play and feel safe

This work supports the community's vision for Ballarat: Ballarat, Victoria's heritage city: leading the way as a safe, sustainable, innovative and inclusive community, that is a great place to live.

What guides this strategy

The Family and Children's Strategy will be shaped by the ARACY Nest Framework, Australia’s first evidence‑based model for child and youth wellbeing. The same framework will also guide the development of Council’s Youth Strategy, helping us create a more consistent and connected approach from birth to 25 years.

The Nest Framework focuses on six key areas that help children thrive:

1. Valued, Loved and Safe
2. Identity and Culture
3. Healthy
4. Material Basics
5. Learning
6. Participating

We want to hear from parents, carers, professionals, community and children.

You can get involved before 30 March by:

• Filling out our online survey below or download the Word document version.
• Sharing your ideas through a drawing or writing. Visit us at Parent Place, 39 Sturt St, Ballarat Central for hard-copy activity sheets, or print your own by downloading from this page.
• Having a conversation as a family, class or community group and write your answers on the 'Group Conversation' template available on this page or from Parent Place.
• Joining a listening session for parents/carers of children aged 0-12. For more details and to register, CLICK HERE

Options include:

• Wednesday 4 March 5:30pm-7:00pm
• Friday 6 March 1:00pm-2:30pm
• Tuesday 24 March 1:00pm-2:30pm

• Dropping into Parent Place, 39 Sturt St Ballarat Central, on Wednesday 18 March 2:30pm-6:30pm
• Visiting us at:
  • Ballarat Begonia Festival. March 7-9. 10am-5pm. We will be located at the Parent Place tent.
  • Let's Chat Ballarat Community Expo. Thursday March 26 4-8pm and Friday 27 March 9am-1pm
  • Parent Place
    • Monday-Friday 9:30am-2:30pm at Sturt St Ballarat Central
    • Wednesdays 9:30am-2:30pm at Vickers Street Community Hub, 254 Vickers Street Sebastopol
    • Fridays 9:30am-2:30pm at Djila-tjarriu Community Hub, 18 Donegal Drive Alfredton

For more information or to give your ideas over the phone, contact the Family, Youth and Children’s Services Team on 5320 5720.

Your voice matters, and we want to make sure you can share it in the way that feels most comfortable for you.