Free parking at Ballarat GovHub will be made available to the local community – supporting jobs growth and helping the vibrant regional city to be an even better place to live, work and visit.

Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced that 120 car spaces in the city’s GovHub will be open for everyone to use from 2025, so locals have even more free parking options that are close by to where they want to go.

With the addition of free parking at GovHub, the Victorian Government will have supported delivery of over 2,000 car parks, including almost 1,400 free spaces, in and around the Ballarat CBD by 2026.

This includes 147 completed car parks in the CBD, over 400 underway at the Ballarat Base Hospital, and another 900 through the Ballarat Station Redevelopment and the Council’s Smarter Car Parking Program.

Since 2018, the Allan Labor Government has invested significantly in a range of initiatives to help transform the city of Ballarat and support a flourishing CBD.

Ballarat’s now completed $100 million GovHub building and $28 million Ballarat Railway Station redevelopment have encouraged new local businesses to set up in town, offering locals and visitors more options to eat, drink and shop.

The Government is continuing to boost jobs growth in the city with the $10 million restoration of Her Majesty’s Theatre nearing completion.

Another $6.7 million is also being provided to stage a National Centre for Photography which will sit alongside the Ballarat Art Gallery – strengthening the city’s standing as a leading cultural hub. The Government’s ongoing investment in Ballarat has meant 22,000 more locals are in work than a decade ago, with the city’s unemployment rate at 3.1 per cent as of April this year – less than half the 6.9 per cent it was in 2014.

This investment forms part of the Allan Labor Government’s record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs to support regional and rural Victorian cities grow and thrive, with more local jobs, community infrastructure and iconic experiences for visitors to enjoy.

For more information, go to rdv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney

“We’ve backed Ballarat to grow and flourish and we are proud to provide more car parking that is close to the businesses and places people want to go.”

“Ballarat is thriving and we are working with the community to help make it an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Unlocking 120 free carparks under Gov Hub in central Ballarat is great news for local businesses and the community. These extra carparks will encourage more people to dine and shop in the CBD, as well as give them the time to enjoy Ballarat’s cultural attractions.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“By creating additional car park spaces, we’re enhancing convenience for locals and visitors while also supporting the growth of local businesses.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Our record investment in Ballarat is delivering real benefits, from more car parks to new sporting facilities, school upgrades, and job opportunities – boosting our local economy and bettering the lives of locals.”