This refurbishment creates a fresh, modern and welcoming space for the Ararat community, allowing a more flexible use of the library space for innovative programming and quiet study.
Program: Living Libraries Infrastructure Program
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The Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub at Bannockburn Recreation Precinct will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs and services for young people in a growing community.
Program: Growing Suburbs Fund
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An upgrade to sport facilities at Alfredton Recreation Reserve will include new changerooms, five-bay cricket practice nets, additional social space, a kiosk and an undercover viewing area.
Program: Local Sports Grants
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The redeveloped pavilion at Trentham Sportsground will provide a welcoming and inclusive family-friendly space for local sports clubs and the community.
Program: Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program
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Bannockburn Soccer Facility Upgrade
New female-friendly change rooms, improved sports lighting and perimeter fencing at the Bannockburn Soccer Facility will increase community participation.
Program: World Game Facilities Fund
Up to 50km of new bike trails in the Ararat Hills Regional Park are set to become Victoria’s newest adventure destination, with trails perfect for competitive and recreational cyclists alike.
Program: Building Works Package
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Little athletics, soccer, AFL and cricket players in Ararat will benefit from the redevelopment of the pavilion and sportsground into a modern community sport hub.
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Among the improvements to Ballarat Sports and Events Centre are three new 3x3 basketball courts, one mobile court for events, a regional strength and conditioning centre, learning centre and a fresh facade.
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This project will create the National Centre for Photography in an historic and iconic 1860’s heritage building in central Ballarat and serve as the home of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
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Darley Park Community and Sports Centre becomes more accessible and inclusive, with female-friendly change rooms, three multi-purpose community spaces, offices, a kitchen and social areas.
Program: Growing Suburbs Fund
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The Parwan City Gate Gas project will deliver reticulation of the natural gas pipeline to the Parwan Precinct that will attract new investment, including a rendering plant by Westside Meats.
Program: Building Works Package
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Delivering kindergarten for 3 and 4 year-olds, the community hub will also host activities and programs across all ages.
Program: Growing Suburbs Fund
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To improve participation for women and girls in sport, the refurbishment of the Inverleigh complex will make change rooms and amenities more female-friendly.
Program: Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program
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Restoring this heritage-listed theatre in Ballarat will bring it up to standard, with historically correct paintwork, a rebuilt stage, repaired roof and improvements in fire safety and accessibility.
Program: Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund
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The Ross Creek upgrade delivers something for everyone, with new play and fitness equipment, BBQ facilities, street furniture and an extension of the trail network.
Program: Growing Suburbs Fund
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Hammon Park Trail Head and Bike Park at Creswick will serve as the trailhead for the 100km of purpose-built mountain bike trails for the iconic Creswick Trails project and includes a jump lines skills track, skills loop, and bike playground.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
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Providing Female-Friendly Facilities at the Lexton Community Hub
Providing female-friendly facilities at the Lexton Community Hub will encourage greater sports participation by local women and girls.
At the historic goods sheds at the Ballarat railway station, a new Urban Distillery will create a locally crafted spirit brand for domestic and international consumption.
Program: Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund
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This project upgrades a stadium entrance and ticket boxes, creates accessible permanent toilets, improves disability access to the western and eastern stands and creates permanent food service areas.
Program: Building Works Package
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Goldfields Track Transformation - Stage 1 (Signage & Interpretation) - Ballarat to Bendigo, Ballarat
The Goldfields Track upgrade will provide 210km of mapped and signed trails from Ballarat to Bendigo via Creswick, Daylesford, and Castlemaine, delivering an iconic outdoor tourism experience.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
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Development of six new ‘Hot Shot’ courts with lighting, a new ‘Book a Court’ system, plus upgraded competition-standard lighting on all existing 18 courts.
Program: Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program
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Stage 2 of this project will provide an AFL/cricket oval with 100 lux lighting and perimeter fencing, two netball and two tennis hardcourts with lighting and an all abilities adventure playground.
Program: Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program
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Telford Park trailhead at the base and Bald Hill’s spectacular 360-degree views will come together to create a unique and unforgettable experience at the 1000+ Steps All Accessibility and Sculpture Trail.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
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The Goldfields Track upgrade will provide 210km of mapped and signed trails from Ballarat to Bendigo via Creswick, Daylesford, and Castlemaine, delivering an iconic outdoor tourism experience.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
Learn more about the program
Goldfields Track Transformation - Stage 1 (Signage & Interpretation) - Ballarat to Bendigo, Creswick
The Goldfields Track upgrade will provide 210km of mapped and signed trails from Ballarat to Bendigo via Creswick, Daylesford, and Castlemaine, delivering an iconic outdoor tourism experience.
Program: Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan
Learn more about the program
This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Bullarto.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Denver.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Landsborough.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Eganstown.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Elaine.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Learmonth.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Maude.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Teesdale.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Mena Park.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Cape Clear.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This project has better connected passengers on the state's five busiest regional lines with 35 new mobile base stations and on-train boosters to improve mobile coverage.
Program: Regional Rail Connectivity Project
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This project has better connected passengers on the state's five busiest regional lines with 35 new mobile base stations and on-train boosters to improve mobile coverage.
Program: Regional Rail Connectivity Project
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This project has better connected passengers on the state's five busiest regional lines with 35 new mobile base stations and on-train boosters to improve mobile coverage.
Program: Regional Rail Connectivity Project
Learn more about the program
This project has better connected passengers on the state's five busiest regional lines with 35 new mobile base stations and on-train boosters to improve mobile coverage.
Program: Regional Rail Connectivity Project
Learn more about the program
This project has better connected passengers on the state's five busiest regional lines with 35 new mobile base stations and on-train boosters to improve mobile coverage.
Program: Regional Rail Connectivity Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Smeaton.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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This statewide project to eliminate black spots in the mobile network recognises the importance of mobile communication to lives, families and businesses around Meredith.
Program: Victorian Mobile Project
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Ballarat GovHub
Providing a home for 1000 public servants from a range of departments, the Ballarat GovHub sits on the redeveloped Civic Hall Site in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD, creating an economic hub for the city.
Ballarat West Employment Zone
The Ballarat West Employment Zone will become the engine room for jobs and economic growth in Ballarat with 400 hectares of land for industrial, wholesale, logistics, construction, commercial and residential uses.
Wendouree Community Recreation Precinct
Wendouree Community Recreation Precinct will gain new amenities including a community hub, three soccer pitches, new sports flood lighting, a synthetic cricket wicket, a BMX pump track and skateable elements.
Program: Local Sports Grants Initiative
Ararat East Development Zone Trunk Infrastructure
Development of road and sewerage infrastructure to support the growth of the Ararat East Development Zone (AEDZ) and provide greater access during flood events.
The $550 million Connecting Victoria program will deliver broadband upgrades for residents and businesses in around 120 locations across Victoria over the next two years.
Program: Connecting Victoria
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The $550 million Connecting Victoria program will deliver broadband upgrades for businesses in around 120 locations across Victoria over the next two years.
Program: Connecting Victoria
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The $550 million Connecting Victoria program will deliver broadband upgrades for residents and businesses in around 120 locations across Victoria over the next two years.
Program: Connecting Victoria
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The Ballan Library and Community Hub will be a state-of-the-art facility with a library, maternal and child health services, art exhibition space, a visitor information centre and community meeting rooms.
Program: Growing Suburbs Fund; Living Libraries Infrastructure Program
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Rokewood’s new community hub and pavilion upgrade includes new changerooms, a kitchenette and storage space, providing an exciting new facility for the sporting clubs and the community.
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The updated Trentham Mechanics Institute will include a library, visitor information centre, Council service counter, hall and community meeting spaces.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Sewer works will support short-term housing solutions in Ararat and help attract new workers to the area.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Restoring the historic Creswick Town Hall will mean it remains an active part of community life for years to come. Works include roof plumbing, electrical works, painting and repairs.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Spa Country Railway’s Bullarto Station will be recreated as it was in the 1930s to boost tourism and local businesses.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Installing a drainage system for the industrial estate will help attract private investment and the installation will create more jobs in the region.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Works to improve Daylesford's popular botanic gardens include restoring the day basin and the area surrounding the Pioneer Memorial Tower.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Ballarat trams will be able to keep running safely with 600 metres of ageing track being replaced.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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The innovative centre will provide not-for-profit and volunteer organisations access to technology and meeting spaces to help support vulnerable community members.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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A new community village with up to 16 units will provide independent living for local Aboriginal elders. It will include a large central hall for community meals, gardens, and cultural spaces.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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The modern, versatile community hub will include an open meeting space, storage rooms, clubrooms, landscaping and pathways - all designed to welcome people of all abilities.
Program: Regional Infrastructure Fund
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Area overview
We acknowledge and recognise the Traditional Owners of the land within the regional area, the Wadawurrung People, the Eastern Maar People, the Wurundjeri People and the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
The Central Highlands region spans the east-west transport corridor connecting Melbourne to western Victoria.
Ballarat, the region’s bustling major centre, is one of the fastest growing regional cities in Victoria. It provides services such as healthcare and education, and employment opportunities to the region.
Growing industries such as tourism, construction, healthcare and education are becoming increasingly important and supplement the region’s traditional reliance on manufacturing and agriculture.
Opportunities
Central Highlands communities and the Central Highlands Regional Partnership have identified a need for:
- investment to enhance the region's status as an agricultural hub
- workforce planning to support employment growth, particularly for young people
- improved digital infrastructure and services
- an advanced manufacturing ecosystem to capitalise on workforce creativity and talent
- investment in visitor experiences and infrastructure to capitalise on arts, entertainment and cultural attractions.
Central Highlands Featured Projects
Ballarat’s cultural heart to provide access for all
Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat is being restored over multiple stages. The Victorian Government is contributing $10 million for works focusing on safety and accessibility.
Court upgrade caters to next gen tennis stars
The Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre is catering to the next generation of tennis stars, with a $1 million funding boost, for lighting and court upgrades.
The new home of sport and recreation in Bacchus Marsh
Ongoing works at Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve will expand the exciting new sporting precinct for the community.
Ballarat’s National Centre for Photography takes shape
A new site has been chosen for Ballarat’s National Centre for Photography, destined to transform the historic city centre into a world-class cultural precinct.
Central Highlands Latest News
Sports soar in Bacchus Marsh
Published: 7 Jan 2022
In just five years, Bacchus Marsh's soccer club has grown from 80 members to over 200, meaning upgrades to the local recreation reserve are nothing short of game changing.
Local legend helping kick goals for soccer In Wendouree
Published: 31 Dec 2021
Volunteers are the lifeblood of any sporting club and for Forest Rangers Soccer Club, Marilyn Tyndall is one of their most treasured club members, even playing a role in helping secure major upgrades.
GenV: Newborns changing the future of medicine in Victoria
Published: 15 Dec 2021
GenV is one of the world’s largest birth and parent research projects aiming to transform the health and wellbeing of a whole generation, and will be recruiting Victorian families until 2023.
Page last updated 04 Mar 2022