Ballarat residents divided as council unveils major housing densification plan for inner suburbs

Ballarat's proposed overhaul of housing policy is forcing residents to confront fundamental questions about neighbourhood character, affordability, and growth—with voices from affected communities pulling in sharply different directions.

The City of Ballarat's draft planning scheme amendments, released this month, would enable six-storey apartment developments across designated zones in Sebastopol, Nerrina, and East Ballarat. The shift aims to address chronic housing shortages and soaring property values that have priced many locals out of the market entirely.

According to recent council data, median house prices in inner Ballarat have climbed to $625,000—up 34 per cent in three years—while rental vacancy rates remain below one per cent. The policy seeks to unlock infill development and increase housing stock by an estimated 8,000 new dwellings over the next decade.

At a community forum held at the Ballarat Library last week, perspectives revealed the genuine tensions at stake. Residents in the Lake Gardens precinct expressed concerns about losing tree canopy and the established suburban feel that defines their neighbourhood. Others, particularly younger families and renters, welcomed the prospect of more housing options closer to employment hubs around Sturt Street and the CBD.

"We're not against development," said one Nerrina resident attending the forum, according to council meeting notes. "But we want to see it done thoughtfully, with proper transition zones and community consultation at every stage."

The proposal has energised local advocacy groups. The Ballarat Housing Alliance, a coalition of renters' advocates and social service providers, has issued a statement calling the reforms insufficient without mandatory affordable housing quotas. They point to comparable schemes in Melbourne's inner suburbs, where developer contributions now fund community housing in new projects.

Conversely, the Inner West Business Association has raised questions about car parking requirements and street-level retail activation—practical concerns that will shape how new precincts function day-to-day.

Ballarat Mayor Cr. Grant McCallum told The Daily Ballarat that the council remains committed to community-driven planning. "These aren't decisions made in isolation," he said. "We're balancing growth with liveability, and that means genuinely listening to residents."

The consultation period closes 31 August. Council officers will present a revised scheme to councillors by October, with final adoption expected early 2027.

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