Politics

Construction starts on 181 homes in Delacombe as Ballarat advances plans for 23,200 new dwellings

Ballarat residents in the western suburbs will see new social and affordable housing delivered in stages through to 2028 while broader growth areas are prepared.

By Ballarat Policy Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Construction has commenced on 181 new homes in Delacombe, made up of 117 social homes and 64 affordable homes, with completion staged between 2026 and 2028. The project forms part of wider efforts to address housing supply in the city.

Planned growth across Ballarat

Up to 23,200 new homes are planned across Ballarat overall. Of these, 17,200 are allocated to the West Growth Area covering Delacombe, Alfredton, Winter Valley and Lucas, while 6,000 are planned for the new North Growth Area at Mount Rowan and Miners Rest. The State Government has invested over $170 million across Greater Ballarat to deliver 439 new social and affordable homes, including projects in Canadian, Mitchell Park and Central Highlands.

Ballarat faces a potential housing supply shortage by 2029, with current demand projected to exhaust all available greenfield land within four years despite existing zoning for approximately 16,200 lots. This situation directly affects residents seeking to buy or rent in established neighbourhoods as available land supply tightens.

Next steps for northern areas

The Precinct Structure Plan for the northern growth zone is slated for approval in 2026. This timeline means final decisions on infrastructure and services in Mount Rowan and Miners Rest will take additional years while funding and planning work continue. Residents in these areas can expect staged development rather than immediate large-scale building.

Local housing outcomes will depend on how quickly the approved projects move from construction to occupancy and how the northern precinct plan shapes future land release. The combination of immediate Delacombe work and longer-term northern planning sets the pace for new supply reaching Ballarat households over the coming years.

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