Ballarat Council's Sturt Street Overhaul Hits New Milestone as Budget Debate Intensifies

Ballarat's local government has entered a pivotal week, with the Sturt Street precinct upgrade project advancing to its next phase while councillors clashed over budget allocations that will shape the city's priorities for the next financial year.

On Tuesday, the City of Ballarat's planning and infrastructure committee greenlit the second stage of the Sturt Street revitalisation, which has become the centrepiece of council's downtown regeneration strategy. The project, encompassing nearly 1.8 kilometres from Mair Street to Bridge Street, will now move into detailed design for enhanced pedestrian amenities and streetscape improvements. Council officers indicated construction could commence in early 2027, with an estimated $12.4 million budget allocation.

"This represents a genuine commitment to making our city centre a destination again," said a council statement released Thursday. The upgrade aims to address long-standing concerns about foot traffic decline along the historic shopping strip, where retail vacancy rates have climbed to 14 percent according to the Ballarat Business Association.

However, the week's apparent momentum masked deeper divisions emerging in Thursday's budget workshop session. Debate erupted over funding priorities for neighbourhood infrastructure, with questions raised about maintenance schedules in outer suburbs including Delacombe, Alfredton and Sebastopol. Councillors requested detailed cost-benefit analyses for competing projects—from playground upgrades at Eureka Park to pothole remediation across 47 identified streets in residential zones.

One contentious proposal involved a $890,000 allocation for upgraded lighting and CCTV systems in the Mair Street car park precinct. Several councillors questioned whether this represented prudent spending amid broader infrastructure demands, though public safety advocates pointed to three reported incidents in the facility over recent months.

Separately, the council's rates committee confirmed this morning that residential rate increases would remain capped at 3.2 percent for 2026-27—marginally below the state government's guidance cap—following pressure from residents' associations. However, this decision necessitates finding $2.1 million in efficiency savings or reduced service provision elsewhere.

Community consultation on the Sturt Street project continues through July, with information sessions scheduled at Ballarat Town Hall on July 8 and 15. Residents can also provide feedback via the council's website until July 31.

Next week's council meeting will formally debate the draft budget before final adoption in August.

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