Commerce Ballarat Top Priorities for Ballarat
Commerce Ballarat encourages the Ballarat business community to unite, discuss, be accurately informed and be involved in creating a successful, safe and positive future for our city. In no particular order these are what we believe are crucial focuses for our city into the future:
November Public Holiday
Commerce Ballarat believes that Council should reassess the November Public Holiday in favour of Melbourne Cup Day. The Friday public holiday has a significant negative impact across most business sectors.
Media Coverage and impact on confidence
Constant negative media can have a detrimental effect on business and consumer confidence and also can create an atmosphere that will prohibit investment into the region.
Graffiti and Vandalism
An increase in both graffiti and vandalism is not beneficial to the overall aesthetics of our city, and can create feelings of insecurity for shoppers etc
B2b
Focussing on retaining both the business to business spend and the community shopping dollar is crucial to the health of our economy. A major component of this is the continued development of Ballarat businesses to offer superior product and service.
Population Growth
Victoria in Future 2008 Population Projections suggest that Ballarat’s population will reach 118,752 by 2026. Some local experts expect that this projection is conservative. Without vision and strong decision making how will we be prepared to provide all of the required jobs, services etc?
CBD - Infrastructure, attracting and sustaining business, Civic Hall development
The CBD is the heart of every city, vibrancy and healthy businesses are achieved by an active and populated CBD.
Council Elections
The choices we make at the next Council election will be vital to the future of Ballarat as these will be the people who will continue to prepare us for the inevitable growth. They will need to have vision and be prepared to make hard and strong choices that will support the business economy.
Ballarat West Employment Zone(BWEZ)
The BWEZ will create new opportunities for Ballarat. Fully developed the BWEZ will generate over 9,000 jobs in Ballarat, generate economic output in excess of $5b each and every year and support businesses to capture some of the $1.9billion lost annually to other parts of Australia. BWEZ and the Ballarat Western Link Road will provide a compelling location to grow and expand operations in Ballarat. Critical to the success of the BWEZ is the Western Link Road which will provide a connection between existing transportation infrastructure and residential development in Ballarat West. The improved linkage between the Western, Glenelg and Midland Highways will improve the efficiency of logistics, provide an alternative route to the Central Business District for the transportation of freight, and provide access to developable land particularly in the Ballarat West Growth Area and Employment Zone.
Sustainability water, waste, renewable energy
With the past 10 years of drought still fresh in the memory of the community, Ballarat is now well placed to plan for a future that embraces sustainability of water supply and renewable energy through current and alternative means. This includes planning and implementation of alternative water sources (bores, pipeline etc.) and further exploration of wind farms and alternative energy sources.
Attraction and retention of tourism and events
Tourism and events do not always benefit every business directly; but the additional spending occurring through visitation and local participation is most definitely a positive financial outcome for our City over time. We not only benefit from the increased economic impact, but also from continued promotion of the city from visitors who leave with a positive impression. It is imperative to unite and support both Council and BRT with these endeavours.