Ballarat Infrastructure Growth Alignment Framework and 2026/27 budget set transport and growth spending

The Ballarat Infrastructure Growth Alignment Framework was approved by the Minister for Planning to provide strategic advice on managing residential growth and sequencing infrastructure to meet future housing targets. The City of Ballarat adopted a 10-year Asset Plan covering 2025 to 2035 for its $2.18 billion public asset portfolio. The 2026/27 Council Budget includes a $92.3 million capital works program.

These measures affect residents through decisions on road maintenance, new leisure facilities and contributions from residential development. The framework guides how growth areas receive sequenced infrastructure while the asset plan projects spending on transport networks that residents rely on for daily travel.

Budget allocations for roads and leisure facilities

The 2026/27 budget allocates $25.3 million for capital road infrastructure and $17.85 million to commence the Eastwood Leisure Complex upgrade. Council also approved the formal discontinuance of Ring Road at the rail level crossing in Mitchell Park to support the Ballarat West Employment Zone Intermodal Freight Hub, with works budgeted for 2026/27.

A review of the Ballarat West Precinct Structure Plan increased the Development Infrastructure Levy for residential developments to $422,774 to fund new infrastructure in growth areas. These changes mean residents in growth corridors will see infrastructure funded partly through development contributions rather than general rates alone.

Next steps for implementation

The framework and asset plan set the parameters for future project sequencing and maintenance priorities. Residents can expect council to apply the updated levy and road works schedule in line with the adopted documents.

The sources for these figures are the City of Ballarat announcements and Victorian Planning Authority updates listed in the article references.