As part of long-term planning and asset management, Council regularly reviews land to ensure it is being used effectively, supports community needs, and provides value to the community.

Land identified as potentially surplus may no longer be required for its original purpose or may have alternative future uses considered.

Council regularly reviews land and buildings as part of its long-term planning and asset management responsibilities. This helps ensure Council-owned land is being used effectively, supports current and future community needs, and provides value to the community.

As Ballarat grows and changes, some sites may become underutilised, no longer required for their original purpose, or suitable for other future opportunities.

Community feedback will help inform Council’s consideration of each site alongside a range of other factors, including strategic planning, financial implications, service needs, zoning, and future community requirements.

Feedback will be reviewed and summarised in an Engagement Summary Report to support Council’s decision-making process.

Once engagement closes, all feedback will be reviewed and analysed. An Engagement Summary Report will then be prepared outlining what we heard from the community during the consultation period.

This information will help inform future Council consideration and any next steps relating to the sites.

Decisions about Council land are made through a formal Council decision-making process. This can include strategic planning assessments, financial and service reviews, legal considerations, land zoning, community feedback, and future infrastructure or community needs.

Depending on the site, some decisions may also require further investigations, statutory processes, or future Council resolutions.

Council considers a range of factors when reviewing land, which may include:

• Current and future community needs
• Strategic planning priorities
• Existing or future service requirements
• Financial and maintenance costs
• Land use zoning and planning controls
• Environmental and neighbourhood impacts
• Open space and recreation needs
• Opportunities for future community benefit

Community feedback is one part of this broader assessment process.

No final decisions have been made regarding the future of the sites currently under review.

This engagement is being undertaken to better understand community views and local perspectives before Council considers any future actions or decisions.

As per section 24A of the Subdivision Act 1988, land identified as a reserve on a plan of subdivision may vest in Council for public purposes. In some older subdivisions, formal vesting or title transfer processes were not completed administratively, despite the land being treated and managed as a Council public reserve for many years.

Council is not a property developer. If land is sold, any future development would be subject to planning approvals and delivered by private developers or other organisations.

Council may resolve to sell land deemed surplus to Council requirements in accordance with section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020. This decision may be informed by the outcomes of the community consultation process and any submissions received

The sites included in this review have been identified through Council’s strategic land and asset review processes.

In some cases, the land is currently vacant, underutilised, no longer required for its original purpose, or located in areas where similar facilities or services are already available nearby. Each site has different circumstances and is being considered individually.

As Ballarat grows, Council must plan for and deliver infrastructure, community facilities and services to support both new and existing communities.

In some cases, land may no longer be required for its original purpose, may be underutilised, or may not be the best long-term use of community assets. Where appropriate,

Council may consider the sale of land to help support future strategic land acquisitions, community infrastructure and long-term financial sustainability. Proceeds from any future sale are generally directed to the City of Ballarat Land Reserves Fund, which supports future land and infrastructure planning across the municipality.

Council also considers a range of other options during the review process, including retaining, repurposing or leasing land where appropriate.