Ballarat is the fastest growing city in regional Victoria, a new federal government report has found.
In the first 10 years of this century, Ballarat’s population grew by 11,408 people, from 83,599 in 2001 to 95,007 in 2011.
That represents an average annual growth rate of 1.3 per cent, which is higher than Bendigo (1.2 per cent), Warrnambool (1.0 per cent), Geelong (0.9) and Shepparton (0.9 per cent).
The figures are included in the State of Australian Cities 2012 report, released yesterday.
City of Ballarat Mayor John Burt OAM said the figures highlighted the importance of projects such as the Ballarat West Employment Zone and the Ballarat West Growth Area to Ballarat’s future.
“Ballarat has been growing for some time now, so in some ways the report’s findings come as no surprise,” Councillor Burt said.
“Our expectation is that this growth will continue, and a lot of work has gone into fostering a self-sustaining economy for Ballarat and making sure we have the housing to meet ongoing growth.”
“Projects such as the Ballarat West Growth Area and the Ballarat West Employment Zone will help ensure we have the homes and the jobs to match this growth and prosper from it.”
“When fully developed, the employment zone will deliver 9000 jobs for Ballarat, while the first stage of the Western Link Road will provide a vital connection between the Employment Zone and the Western Highway and the Port of Melbourne.”
“The Ballarat West Growth Area will provide around 18,000 new homes for 40,000 residents.”
“It will also include a raft of new shops, parks, and community facilities. Some of this is already taking shape in Ballarat’s newest suburb, Lucas, which will be home to 5000 people.”
“The planning minister’s recent approval of the Precinct Structure Plan for the remainder of the Ballarat West Growth Area will see this start to take shape in the very near future.”
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