Ballarat Residents Face Transport Shake-Up As Bus Network Changes Loom

Ballarat faces rising car dependency that already shapes how residents reach work, shops and services each day. Population growth toward 160,000 by 2040 is projected to increase congestion on key streets by 2031, according to the Ballarat Integrated Transport Plan.

Why the issue matters now

The urban bus network runs 15 routes and records roughly 120,000 trips each month, yet this share of overall travel remains low even after timetable changes in 2017. Many routes, including 10-15, 20-23, 25-26 and 30, will not reach the Ballarat Station Bus Interchange until 2026 while station works continue. Route 10 began serving the Lucas Estate in February 2025, giving that growing area its first regular public transport link.

Albert Street, Sturt Street and Gillies Street already carry more than 21,000 vehicles per day each, making them the busiest roads in the municipality. The City of Ballarat maintains 1,093 kilometres of sealed roads and 382 kilometres of unsealed roads, so any shift in travel patterns affects maintenance and safety across a wide area.

Community consultation offers a path forward

Community consultation for the city’s first regional bus network review runs until 7 December 2026. The review aims to respond to population growth since the 2017 network reform. Ballarat also operates as a major rail hub connecting the Ballarat, Ararat and Mildura lines, with more than 135 extra weekly train services added after the 2021 Ballarat Line Upgrade.

Residents can review the draft proposals and submit feedback through the City of Ballarat website before the consultation closes. The process directly influences how future services will connect suburbs to the station interchange and other key destinations once works finish in 2026.