The City of Ballarat lies within a gently undulating section of the midland plains in western Victoria, about 80 kms from Melbourne.
It is positioned at the centre of some of Victoria's most important freight, tourist and commuter transport routes, with the Western, the Midland, the Glenelg and the Sunraysia highways radiating from it.
Ballarat has traditionally prospered on mineral and agricultural based resources, however manufacturing, tourism, health and community services, education and retailing are now the key industries.
These industries, along with banking, finance and government services, are strengthening Ballarat's role as a regional service provider.
Ballarat is part of the Regional City council grouping and can be compared with similar councils. More information on council groupings can be found here.
Ballarat - Victoria in Future 2016
Ballarat Aboriginal Community Profile (includes Aboriginal organisations)
Addington, Alfredton, Ascot, Bakery Hill, Bald Hills, Ballarat, Ballarat East, Black Hill, Blowhard, Bo Peep, Bonshaw, Brown Hill, Buninyong, Bunkers Hill, Burrumbeet, Canadian, Cardigan, Cardigan Village, Chapel Flat, Coghills Creek, Creswick, Delacombe, Durham Lead, Ercildoune, Eureka, Glen Park, Glendaruel, Glendonnel, Golden Point, Gong Gong, Invermay, Invermay Park, Lake Gardens, Lake Wendouree, Learmonth, Magpie, Miners Rest, Mitchell Park, Mount Bolton, Mount Clear, Mount Helen, Mount Pleasant, Mount Rowan, Nerrina, Newington, Redan, Scotchmans Lead, Scotsburn, Sebastopol, Smythes Creek, Soldiers Hill, Sovereign Hill, Tourello, Warrenheip, Wattle Flat, Weatherboard, Wendouree, Wendouree Village, Windermere.
For a detailed map showing shire boundaries and locality names, visit VICNAMES.
City of Ballarat Community Perceptions Survey
Ballarat City Council is a subdivided municipality consisting of 3 wards and 9 Councillors.
Councillors are elected through proportional representation voting. Since 2008, all Victorian Councillors serve a four year term. The next general election is in October 2020.
Visit the Guide for more information on Council Elections.
Visit the Victorian Electoral Commission for more elections details.
9 Councillors elected in October 2016.
Central - Cr Belinda Coates
Central - Cr Samantha McIntosh - Mayor
Central - Cr Mark Harris
North - Cr Amy Johnson
North - Cr Daniel Moloney
North - Cr Grant Tillett
South - Cr Des Hudson
South - Cr Jim Rinaldi - Deputy Mayor
South - Cr Ben Taylor
Estimated resident population. Source: Victoria in Future 2016 - Population and Household Projections to 2031
Source: Victoria Grants Commission.
The figures in the bottom two rows of the table show combined one-off and ongoing funding received by council from both the Federal and State Governments. It is important to note that this amount can change significantly from year to year as individual government funding programs change and natural events such as fires and floods occur.
Data shows the amount allocated in respect of the relevant financial year. In some years, that amount will vary from the payments received that year, as a result of the Commonwealth "bringing forward" some payments.
| 2016-17 | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent Expenditure ($) | 152.842m | 148.872m | 140.126m | 129.263m | 128.032m | 131.828m | 116.066m | 105.328m |
| Recurrent Revenue ($) | 231.084m | 184.490m | 186.899m | 157.512m | 160.672m | 138.557m | 124.166m | 117.372m |
| - Rates and Charges | 104.967m | 98.179m | 90.927m | 74.905m | 77.258m | 64.443m | 65.900m | 62.561m |
| - VGC Grants | 12.379m | 12.152m | 12.066m | 11.781m | 11.313m | 10.641m | 10.265m | 9.775m |
| Non-Recurrent Government Grants |
24.674m |
0.866m |
2.374m |
9.003m |
16.774m |
10.245m |
8.094m |
8.994m |
| Recurrent Government Grants |
43.314m |
32.079m |
13.368m |
11.996m |
11.378m |
13.381m |
12.661m |
10.382m |
View Ballarat City's performance across a wide range of service areas
View Performance