STUDY TOUR SPONSOR

Known as the birthplace of Australia's democracy, wealth and cultural diversity, Ballarat is well known to most as the epicentre of Australia's Gold Rush and home to several key industries including food production. With the Ballarat municipality expected to grow by up to 55,000 new residents by the year 2041, Ballarat’s urban form and economy is being reinvented around health, tourism, events and creative institutions.

The need to integrate rapid, sustainable growth with Ballarat’s world-renowned heritage fabric, creates significant challenges. The State and City have invested in Ballarat and surrounds with ever expanding cultural and heritage assets, a new government hub, parkland upgrades, CBD street refurbishment, active transport network, various laneway upgrades, Sports precinct expansion, railway improvements, Hospital upgrades, a new Library and several iconic buildings. The City of Ballarat is in the process of investigating landscape opportunities that may evolve from former Forest Victoria sites. 

Private sector investment is following with the expansion of Federation University, Ballarat West Employment Zone aligned to efficient transport links, several new apartment buildings, and investment in a wide range of other commercial buildings. 

If you are joining the Ballarat Study Tour, the tour will spend the day in Ballarat exploring public realm treatments, cultural and tourism infrastructure, local food and wine, new regional parklands, integration of institutions, iconic new buildings, and key plans for the future.