The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the delivery of 1,000 free car parks in Ballarat, taking the pressure off local streets and making it easier to get in and out of the city.

Work has begun to map potential locations for the car spaces and the Labor Government will seek input from the City of Ballarat in the coming weeks.

Workshops will also be held with chambers of commerce and key community and business organisations this month to inform site selection and delivery options.

The project is funded by the Government’s new $30 million Regional Car Parks Fund, which is also delivering free car parks in the Latrobe Valley.

This is in addition to the $2 million provided last year to the City of Ballarat’s Car Parking Strategy to deliver 1,000 new car parks.

Where possible, the Regional Car Parks project will focus on the use of public land, primarily available VicTrack land or existing VicTrack car parking sites.

The Government is continuing to deliver for Ballarat, driving a construction blitz for the City – redeveloping the Ballarat Station precinct, building the new GovHub, upgrading local roads and rail, and rebuilding the Ballarat Base Hospital.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes

“The hunt for a car park will be easier for Ballarat locals with the Andrews Labor Government getting on with delivering more free car parking across the city.”

“The Regional Car Parks project will create and support local jobs and we will work with Council and the community to determine the best location for these new car parks in Ballarat.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Ballarat is experiencing a construction blitz and this means more jobs for locals and an even better, more vibrant city – boosting the need for parking that this project will deliver.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering the biggest ever infrastructure works in Ballarat’s history – there are shovels in the ground right across our great City and only the Andrews Labor Government will get it done.”