Sturt Street revival gains momentum: what happened in Ballarat's CBD this week

Ballarat's central business district is showing fresh signs of life this week, with three new independent retailers opening their doors along Sturt Street and council announcing a $2.3 million streetscape upgrade ahead of the Spring season.

The developments mark a significant shift for a precinct that has struggled with vacancy rates above 12 per cent in recent years. The Ballarat City Council confirmed on Monday that renovation works on the historic Neroli House building—vacant since 2019—would commence in July, with mixed-use retail and office spaces opening by November.

"We're seeing genuine interest from small business operators who believe in Ballarat again," said a spokesperson from the Ballarat Chamber of Commerce, noting that inquiries about retail tenancies have jumped 40 per cent since January. The three new ventures opening this week include a specialty homewares boutique, a plant-based café, and a vintage clothing collective—all owner-operated businesses by Ballarat residents.

Meanwhile, the intersection of Sturt and Doveton Streets remains partially cordoned off as council crews complete stage one of the new pedestrian plaza project, originally budgeted at $1.8 million but expanded after community consultation revealed demand for wider accessibility features and additional seating areas.

In other neighbourhood developments, the Ballarat Community Shed on Fenton Street celebrated its fifth birthday on Friday with a well-attended open day, attracting over 200 visitors. The volunteer-run workshop has trained 1,200 local residents in woodworking, metalwork, and electronics repair since opening in 2021.

Concerns emerged this week about planned changes to bus routes in the Wendouree precinct, with the regional transport authority announcing reduced afternoon services from 1 August. The Mt Clear Community Association has called for public consultation, citing impacts on elderly residents and school commuters. Council has committed to reviewing the decision.

On a lighter note, the Ballarat Winter Festival—scheduled for August—announced its full program on Wednesday, featuring over 50 events across the city. Local artisan markets, ice sculpture demonstrations, and a reopened outdoor skating rink at Lake Wendouree are expected to draw significant crowds to the region.

Property valuations in the CBD have risen 8.2 per cent over the past 12 months, according to data released by the Valuer-General Victoria, reversing a five-year decline. Whether this translates to sustained economic recovery, community members say, depends on continued investment and business confidence in the months ahead.

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