A new local business and cultural hub backed by the Allan Labor Government has opened in Ballarat - supporting Victorian Aboriginal businesses, students and artists to flourish and bringing even more economic opportunities to the region. Minister for Employment Vicki Ward has announced the official opening of the Wadawurrung Aboriginal Economic Hub.

Hundreds of free public car spaces are now available at the Ballarat Base Hospital for locals, visitors and workers as part of the Allan Labor Government’s ongoing investment in the thriving regional town. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today joined representatives from Grampians Health to open 400 new public car spaces at the Ballarat Base Hospital – all free to park at.

The curtain will soon rise at the new and improved Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat promising a revamped space inside and out, that is more welcoming for all – backed by the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced the completion of restoration works at the nearly 150-year-old theatre, after a $10 million investment from Regional Development Victoria.

Thanks to the Allan Labor Government works at the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) are forging ahead, with construction beginning on an extension to Liberator Drive. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced that Winslow Constructors have secured the contract to lead this next stage of the BWEZ development, which is being delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Regional Development Victoria.

Students at Ballarat Specialist School will now have access to a range of new and modern learning facilities, thanks to the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Education Ben Carroll celebrated the new buildings at Ballarat Specialist School, as they opened their doors for the first time today.

Teachers and school leaders in Ballarat and western Victoria can now boost their skills even further with a new Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership centre transforming education in the region. Minister for Education Ben Carroll visited the Ballarat centre today for its official opening.

The Allan Labor Government is ensuring that every Victorian student can learn in the best facilities – with dozens of local, low-fee Catholic schools to receive funding to upgrade classrooms and build new facilities. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison visited Our Lady Help of Christians School in Wendouree to announce 28 Catholic schools in regional Victoria will share in more than $103 million to expand and modernise existing facilities or build new schools.

The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is a major success story for local job creation, with works on track to exceed expectations for the number of local workers, suppliers and materials sourced during construction thanks to the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today joined Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and the team from building firm Winslow Constructors to see first-hand the latest construction progress at the precinct.

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.

Victoria’s hardworking volunteer firefighters will be better equipped to keep their communities safe, with 25 new CFA pumpers rolling off local assembly lines thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes today visited Wendouree-based SEM Fire and Rescue to announce the company will build all the new pumpers and confirm the first ten CFA brigades to receive the vehicles.

The Allan Labor Government has revealed the early designs for a $50 million upgrade to Ballarat Station to improve accessibility. The new plans released today include installing a pedestrian overpass with a passenger lift and stairs to both platforms.

Ballarat will lead the way in family violence prevention thanks to a brand-new project to saturate anti-violence awareness and action – providing valuable learning for communities across our state and nation.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today visited Ballarat to announce the new Food, Fire and Light Festival which will light up Sovereign Hill this October and announce the latest round of the Labor Government’s $38 million Regional Events Fund.

Premier Jacinta Allan today joined Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and the Mount Clear Junior Football Club to announce the Victorian Budget 2024/25 invests an extra $6 million to extend the Labor Government’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program.