BALLARAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WITH LOW COMMUTING TIMES, A CLEAN, SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES OF LIFE IN A MAJOR REGIONAL CITY.

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2 >INTRODUCTION BALLARAT BALLARAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WITH LOW COMMUTING TIMES, A CLEAN, SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES OF LIFE IN A MAJOR REGIONAL CITY. With an estimated 2018 population of over 107,000 (Victoria in the Future 2016 estimate), Ballarat is the regional capital of Western Victoria and a thriving regional centre serving 250,000 people. Situated just over an hour from Melbourne, Ballarat is located in the gently undulating midland plains of the Central Highlands region, with its natural beauty and rich agriculture. Ballarat offers premium job opportunities, world-class education, affordable housing, exciting restaurants and retail options, accessible community services, beautiful heritage, and a great lifestyle for all. Lifestyle, investment and employment opportunities are all reasons why more and more people are choosing to relocate to Ballarat. Ballarat is a cosmopolitan destination boasting all the artistic and cultural wealth that comes with its spectacular rise from humble mining settlement to popular regional city. Money flowed into Ballarat with the discovery of gold in the mid-19th century, leaving the city with elegant architecture, broad tree-lined streetscapes and cultivated European gardens. Front cover image: Every Sunday throughout January, the Ballarat community flocks to the spectacular Botanical Gardens for Summer Sundays, a free summer music event. 2

3 Every day from dawn to dusk Lake Wendouree is a hub of activity. Thousands of people walk, run and ride its six kilometre circumference, with many more participating in a range of recreational activities including boating, fishing, rowing, kayaking and canoeing. There are some perfect spots for enjoying a picnic as well as many cafes, bars and restaurants to visit. 3

4 BALLARAT BALLARAT IS LOCATED ALONG THE FAST GROWING WESTERN HIGHWAY CORRIDOR IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS REGION OF VICTORIA, 110KM NORTH WEST OF MELBOURNE. > LOCATION The City of Ballarat municipality covers an area of approximately 740km2 and includes the townships of Buninyong, Miners Rest, Learmonth, Cardigan Village and the major new residential suburb of Lucas to the west of the city. There were an estimated 105,127 residents in the City of Ballarat during 2017, an increase of 9,942 people since 2011, exhibiting an annual average growth rate of 1.7% - similar to the state annual average growth rate of 1.8%. This ranks Ballarat as the highest regional city for growth in Victoria. It is bound by Hepburn, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Pyrenees shires. Easily accessible by road and rail, the City of Ballarat is serviced by four major roads, the Western Freeway and Midland, Glenelg and Sunraysia highways, and via rail along the interstate rail transport corridor between Melbourne and Adelaide in South Australia through to Perth in Western Australia. The population of the City of Ballarat is expected to increase by around 30,000 residents by 2031, which would see the population rise to over 136,000 people with an average annual growth rate of 1.9% (source: DSE, Victoria in Future 2016). The median age of residents in the City of Ballarat is 38. (Source: Victoria in the Future 2016) 4 Ballarat s close proximity to Melbourne allows for easy access to metropolitan Melbourne, with the Tullamarine International Airport just over an hour away, as is the Port of Melbourne, Australia s largest container and general cargo port. > POPULATION ADELAIDE SYDNEY Grampians VICTORIA Daylesford BALLARAT To Adelaide Geelong Warrnambool MELBOURNE

5 Satisfy your tastebuds at one of Ballarat s cosmopolitan cafes or restaurants and take the time to visit one of more than 600 retail shopping outlets. 5

6 LIVE BALLARAT IS A CITY WITH A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF A CAPITAL CITY WITH THE LOWER COST BASE OF A REGIONAL CENTRE. 6 Ballarat is a community that has a strong sense of history, and it will draw you in. For new businesses, new residents or new investors, Ballarat is a city of great promise and opportunity. With a combination of world class health and educational facilities, Ballarat offers a compelling combination of lifestyle, infrastructure and location. One of Australia s fastest growing cities, Ballarat s population is growing by approximately 2,000 people each year. The City of Ballarat has established Ballarat s west as the site of new suburbs and is hard at work making sure the community facilities, infrastructure and jobs are in place to support the additional 20,000 people who are expected to live in these areas in the next 15 years. Four new suburbs are being planned for this area, providing homes for 18,000 families. Ballarat s newest suburb of Lucas is taking shape with established residential housing and a town centre, a new community hub and a primary school. The 750-hectare suburb will eventually house around 14,000 new homes. The City of Ballarat s detailed plans will ensure these new neighbourhoods feature a variety of block sizes, tree lined streets, parks, waterways, walking paths, access to shops, and connecting roads. Land is also set aside for schools, community and sporting facilities. Ballarat has a rich, highly intact and living heritage. Of Victorian municipalities, the City of Ballarat ranks equal third in having the most locally protected heritage listings with over 10,000 places included in protected heritage areas and 64 listed heritage places on the State Government s Victorian Heritage Register. In addition, there are 113 listings on the State s Victorian Heritage Inventory (known archaeological sites), and one heritage place on the National Heritage List (Eureka Stockade Gardens). There are also several significant known sites of Aboriginal cultural heritage, with the current day municipality forming a part of the rich cultural landscapes of the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples and an array of significant historic collections that tell the story of Ballarat s development and identity. > EDUCATION The City of Ballarat also boasts some of the state s leading secondary colleges. There are 10 secondary colleges, four government and six private, and almost 40 primary schools for residents to choose from. Ballarat is fortunate to have two universities covering a broad range of programs from certificate level through to doctorates of research. > RECREATION Ballarat boasts more than 100 recreation and sporting facilities, including stadiums, pavilions, fields, courts, community venues and more. There are 18 major parks and 149 neighbourhood parks, 45 kilometres of walking trails, over 2,000 ha of public open space, three major lakes, eight aquatic facilities and several exceptional golf courses, including two championship courses. There is a Robert Allenby designed course at RACV Goldfields Resort in neighbouring Creswick and also a Peter Thompson designed course at the Ballarat Golf Club. Cyclists are also well catered for with many significant national cycling and community

7 events, such as the Cycling Australia Road National Championships and the Ballarat Cycle Classic. Ballarat also boasts more than 50 kilometres of off-road cycling tracks to complement the many kilometres of on road bicycle lanes. > COMMUTER RAIL Ballarat enjoys an excellent commuter rail service to Melbourne, enabling residents easy access to metropolitan Melbourne, and similarly, visitors and tourists easy access to Ballarat. Travel times are less than one hour and twenty minutes between the CBDs, which allows for an easy commute for city workers in Melbourne to enjoy regional and affordable lifestyles in Ballarat. Currently there are 44 up and down train services per day on weekdays between Ballarat and Melbourne, with 60 weekend services, enabling unprecedented access into Melbourne and beyond. The Wendouree Train Station was built to complement the main historical and centrally located station and will continue to support Ballarat s continued population growth. > THEATRE AND THE ARTS Ballarat is a melting pot of arts, culture, music and entertainment. There is a vibrant community of professional artists, including teachers and students from Federation University Australia s Arts Academy. As well as the commercial gallery spaces, there are regular exhibitions at the Arts Academy s Post Office Gallery and the magnificent Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia s oldest and largest regional gallery. There are a range of theatre shows regularly presented in Ballarat, from cabaret to drama. Focus for large scale performances is the historic Her Majesty s Theatre, but there are also other performance venues, including smaller theatres and the Wendouree Performing Arts Centre. > EAT AND DRINK Ballarat offers some of the freshest and highest quality produce available. There are farmers markets held in Ballarat and the surrounding region every weekend. These markets feature organic fruit, herbs and vegetables, delicatessen style foods, quality coffee, fine wines and fresh flowers. Cafes, restaurants, gastro pubs and casual eats the city boasts a café and coffee culture on par with Melbourne s culturally diverse eateries - award-winning restaurants and a range of family-friendly dining options. Ballarat is fast becoming the craft beer capital of Australia. But beer isn t the city s only claim to fame. With the Pyrenees wine region only a stone s throw away, Ballarat and surrounds are home to several James Halliday red-star-rated wineries. > COMMUNITY SPIRIT The Ballarat community is connected and proud. The community is well served by a range of major and local community organisations who provide support services for residents for all ages. Philanthropy and support for local causes is also an important part of community life. Major investment in new services and facilities means the health and wellbeing needs of the community will continue to be catered for. > WEATHER The climate in Ballarat is considered temperate, with four very distinctive seasons: Ballarat has a summer temperature range from 25 degrees celsius to 35 degrees celsius. Summers in Ballarat are warm to hot during the day but usually cool at night Autumn is mild and pleasant with a temperature range of degrees celsius Winter is cool and often wet and it may snow lightly once or twice a year. Day time temperatures in winter may be between 8 and 15 degrees celsius, while at night the temperature may fall below zero degrees Spring is mild and pleasant with a temperature range of degrees celsius. 7

8 LIVE > REAL ESTATE: RESIDENTIAL NUMBER OF DWELLINGS In Ballarat, there are over 45,000 dwellings, of which the majority are stand-alone houses. Semi-detached, terraced houses, units and apartments make up the remainder. Just over 32% are fully owned and approximately 33% are in the process of being purchased. MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES Recent statistics published by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria indicate that during 2016, median house prices in Ballarat were $320,000, equivalent to the regional Victorian median price. This makes them more affordable than the Greater Geelong price of $425,000 and the Melbourne metropolitan price of $635,000 for the same period. This represents a growth rate of 4.9% in the past year for Ballarat. Source: A Guide to Property Values: Annual data and analysis from Valuer-General Victoria

9 It costs less to live in Ballarat. Unlike most metropolitan cities, we have affordable housing. Grand period homes line our majestic tree-lined streets, while a range of new subdivisions give you the chance to build the home you always dreamed of. 9

10 WORK Ballarat has the capacity to generate over 16,000 jobs by 2031, according to the City of Ballarat Economic Program Our top growing employment sectors in terms of job numbers include health, education, accommodation and food and construction. Arts and recreation and information media and telecommunications are also growing. In addition to these service industries, Ballarat s manufacturing sector offers increased opportunities in areas of high value-add, such as freight and logistics, mining technology and food processing, keeping the city s manufacturing industry competitive. Ballarat is western Victoria s leading health service provider, servicing a regional population of more than 250,000 people. The City of Ballarat is working in partnership with the Committee for Ballarat and key stakeholders to create an iconic, safe living, recreating and working medical and health precinct in the CBD. The City of Ballarat works closely with ICT sector stakeholders, including Federation University Australia, to expand the Ballarat Technology Park, maximise the opportunities of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and attract ICT companies that will help support the other growth industries of health, education, government administration and research. Ballarat is home to the largest Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Park in regional Australia with 30 businesses and more than 1,400 employees. Recent expansions in the City s CBD has resulted in the redevelopment of a 3000m2 building in Lydiard Street South providing 25 quality office suites for With a population of around 100,000 people, Ballarat has a labour workforce close to 46,000. (Source ABS 2016 Census) tech-based enterprises. The redevelopment of the Flecknoe Building has commenced which will result in further office suites for start-up entrepreneurial firms being offered to the market in the near future. The Victorian Government is bringing 600 new public-sector jobs to Ballarat in The Ballarat GovHub will be located at the redeveloped Civic Hall site and will accommodate up to one thousand public sector employees. The site, which sits on Crown Land, will be developed in partnership with the City of Ballarat with an investment of $47.8 million. The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is a 623-hectare precinct located to the west of the city. The City of Ballarat is developing the site to attract new industries that fill identified gaps in the economy, such as transport and logistics, research and development and supply chain services. The BWEZ Stage 1 land release of over 60 hectares in late 2014 received strong interest from the market, including from Broadbent Grain, Agrimac, Kane Transport, Athlegen and Broo. Due to strong market demand, a second release of 55 hectares of land was announced in February 2017.

11 Ballarat Workforce - Qualifications Employment (Jobs) - Ballarat (C) (2016) Source: ABS 2016 Census Place of Work Employment Data. Source: ABS 2016 Census Place of Work Employment Data. Ballarat Workforce - Occupations >WORKFORCE (place of renumeration) According to the ABS 2016 census, there are 45,794 jobs in the Ballarat region. Top employment sectors include healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, education & training, manufacturing, accommodation & food services, construction, and public administration & safety. Source: ABS 2016 Census Place of Work Employment Data. Business services, tourism and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sectors are also significant employers. The qualification levels of the workforce are well suited to support these sectors with high numbers of Bachelor and Certificate qualified personnel. Ballarat offers the opportunity for successful career development for employees and new residents. The business community encourages lifelong learning and professional development which is vitally important to addressing skills issues in a positive and proactive manner. Careers are available across a wide spectrum of occupations. 11

12 INVEST DEDICATED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, BALLARAT IS A CITY OPEN FOR BUSINESS. > THE ECONOMY There are over 7,700 registered businesses in the Ballarat region (ABS, Cat June 2016), including major international companies such as IBM Global Services, McCain Foods, Mars and MaxiTRANS, all of which reflect Ballarat s dynamic economic base. Regularly expanding on its vision to host multinational companies, Ballarat has attracted international investment from companies in Singapore, India, Japan and South Korea and is continuing to attract investment from additional businesses internationally. Value-Added ($M) - Ballarat (C) (Dec 2016) The City of Ballarat s economy has an estimated Gross Regional Product of $5.5 billion, with a total estimated output of $11.7 billion and a total Value Added production estimated at $5.1 billion. (Remplan December 2016). Source: December 2016 REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) June 2015 Gross State Product, 2012 / 2013 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment Data. The total regional export, or the value of goods and services exported outside the City of Ballarat, is estimated at $3.6 billion. 12

13 Regional Exports ($M) - Ballarat (C) (Dec 2016) Retail trade, manufacturing, property and business services, health and community services, education, construction and tourism all make a significant contribution to the Ballarat economy based on employment, regional exports, value added and local expenditure on goods and services. Source: December 2016 REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) June 2015 Gross State Product, 2012 / 2013 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment Data. Total local expenditure by industry on goods and services sourced in the City of Ballarat is estimated at $3.3 billion (Remplan December 2016). Local Expenditure ($M) - Ballarat (C) (Dec 2016) Source: December 2016 REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) June 2015 Gross State Product, 2012 / 2013 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment Data. > LOW COST OF LAND Ballarat offers all the benefits of metropolitan Melbourne without the cost. Operating a business in Ballarat is cheaper than operating in Melbourne. Added to the competitive price of land are lower labour costs, efficient transport links and the support of a dynamic growing community. > INFRASTRUCTURE Ballarat is well serviced with a range of economic and social infrastructures. The attraction of business and industry to Ballarat is contingent on the provision of excellent public utilities infrastructure, particularly in new developmental areas and industrial estates. Ballarat is exceptionally well serviced by reticulated natural gas, three phase electricity and reticulated water. Furthermore, there are significant potable ground water supplies which can be accessed by bores. Central Highlands Water supplies services to over 130,000 people within the region, 91% of which are residential customers, with the commercial sector accounting for 9%. 13

14 > RAIL FREIGHT Ballarat is ideally situated along the interstate rail transport corridor between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, providing Ballarat businesses and industry with seamless access to Victoria s freight transport network. Each year, approximately 6.4 metric tonne of freight is carried by road and rail through Ballarat, from Melbourne to Victoria s western region. In addition, 5.7 metric tonne of freight is carried through Ballarat, from western Victoria to Melbourne for interstate and international export. > INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT PORTS Ballarat s road and rail networks provide easy access to international markets through the Port of Melbourne, which is Australia s largest container and general cargo port, handling 38% of the nation s container trade. Approximately 42 container shipping lines, as well as a number of other general cargo carriers, make around 3,200 ship calls per annum to Melbourne, providing services to ports across the globe. The Port of Melbourne handles approximately 90 million revenue tonnes per annum. In addition, Ballarat s transport infrastructure provides ready access to Melbourne s Tullamarine International Airport, which is the largest 24-hour, curfew free, freight and passenger airport in Australia. Major freight carriers operate dedicated freight services from Melbourne to Europe, Asia and North America. Tullamarine currently handles over 375,000 metric tonnes of freight per annum, with ample capacity to increase this quota. Airfreight rates are very competitive, making Melbourne a high speed, low cost base to access global markets. > BALLARAT AIRPORT Ballarat s Airport is well equipped to meet regional needs, and will be developed to accommodate future regional and interstate demand. The Ballarat Airport is located seven kilometres northwest of the city centre on 476 hectares of land, and less than one kilometre from the Western Freeway. Infrastructure at the airport consists of three runways, two taxiways, a 30,000m2 apron, five hangers with direct apron access, a 150m2 terminal building, other commercially leased buildings, two refuelling facilities, a non-directional beacon and an automatic weather station. The facilities at the Ballarat Airport support a number of commercial aviation enterprises including aerial agriculture, corporate charter, recreational charter, aircraft support services, and an international pilot training school. Ongoing improvements to the airport precinct will attract logistics companies and other industrial activities to the region. There is now the opportunity to cater for a second cluster of innovative industries through the development of the Ballarat Airport Commercial Precinct. 14

15 The Ballarat Airport will play an important role in the Ballarat economy over the coming decades. As part of the Ballarat West Employment Zone it s here that up to 9,000 jobs will be created to meet the needs of Ballarat s growing population. 15

16 VISIT The Ballarat region is one of Australia s premier tourism destinations, with domestic and international visitor numbers on the rise. and explore the world famous Sovereign Hill, an openair museum recreating the Ballarat goldfields of the 1850s. Ballarat has long been defined as the city at the heart of Australia s goldfields. And while history and heritage remain among its strongest drawcards, the city is perpetually showcasing products and experiences with an array of contemporary and diverse offerings. Ballarat s annual calendar of festivals and events includes music festivals, sporting championships, food and wine events and cultural experiences. Whether it s the Ballarat Begonia Festival, Ballarat Heritage Weekend, the Road Nationals Cycling Championships or White Night Ballarat, there is an event suited for everyone and every age. The iconic Sturt Street is a stunning tree-lined boulevard, with notable statues and monuments on every block of the city s CBD, and Lydiard Street, with a perfectly preserved heritage streetscape, is worldfamous as a film setting. In Ballarat, history comes to life. It is the home of Australia s most famous insurrection, the 1854 Eureka Rebellion, which heralded the birth of democracy. Visitors walk through history following the Eureka Trail Arts and culture have a vibrant and exciting home in Ballarat. Established in 1884, the Art Gallery of Ballarat was the country s first regional gallery and today houses the nation s largest and most impressive collection of Australian art, while Her Majesty s Theatre is Australia s oldest continuously operating purposebuilt theatre. Visitors can enjoy a picnic by the beautiful waters of Lake Wendouree, admire the stunning floral displays in the Botanical Gardens, or visit the Australian ex- Prisoners of War Memorial and Prime Minister s Avenue. Other world-class tourist attractions include the Ballarat Wildlife Park and the Gold Museum. For more information about Ballarat s tourist attractions visit 16

17 As a major international and domestic tourist destination, Ballarat attracts more than one million visitors every year. Her Majesty s Theatre, the oldest continuously operating purpose-built theatre in Australia, is a star attraction. 17

18 CONTACT THE CITY OF BALLARAT ONLINE IN PERSON Customer Service Centre The Phoenix 25 Armstrong Street South Ballarat Phone: INVESTMENT ENQUIRIES Economic Development Unit VISIT ENQUIRIES

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