What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Ararat's direction is set by the Community Vision 2035 and the Council Plan 2025–2029, both adopted on 27 May 2025 after engagement sessions in Ararat, Buangor, Elmhurst, Lake Bolac, Moyston, Pomonal, Tatyoon and Willaura. The council says the vision is characterised by population growth, economic development focused on jobs 'through value adding in agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and tourism', pragmatic local environmental management, sustainable transport networks, access to arts, culture, sport and recreation, and 'strong and robust democratic processes'.
The Council Plan 2025–2029 has six strategic objectives: Growing our place; Building robust local economies; Preserving the environment; Developing and maintaining key enabling infrastructure; Enhancing community life; and Strong and effective governance. Each has actions and measures of success, which form an annual action plan.
The 2026/27 budget, adopted on 28 April 2026, raises general rates and the municipal charge by 2.25%, below the 2.75% cap, and funds a $15.797 million capital works program led by the $6.25 million Buangor–Ben Nevis Road upgrade and rural and urban road works. New items include $200,000 for the Moyston Recreation Reserve toilets, $100,000 for a walking track at the Pomonal Recreation Reserve, a $548,000 roundabout at Queen and Moore Streets, and $100,000 each for community support grants and business façade and kick-start grants. It budgets an underlying operating deficit of $376,000.
Underway now
Buangor–Ben Nevis Road upgrade
$6.25 million in the 2026/27 capital works programRoad and bridge upgrades on Buangor–Ben Nevis Road, including a new double-span precast concrete bridge. The budget describes over $10 million of works in total, funded by the council and the Australian Government under the Roads to Recovery and Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure programs.
Prestige Mills housing infrastructure
Continuing in 2026/27The council secured $7.3 million from the Australian Government's Housing Support Program to build internal roads, drainage, pathways, streetlights and utilities at the former Prestige fabric mill site on Queen Street, Ararat, to enable up to 90 homes. The council says 70% of the dwellings are to be social, community and affordable housing; the land is owned by a private developer, who will build and sell the homes.
Source: Ararat Rural City Council — Prestige Mills Housing Infrastructure Project
Planned / committed
Community Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan
Consultation closed 31 December 2025; plan to go to Council in 2026A road safety strategy for all road users, developed by DWB Engineering with community consultation on speed, road conditions, pedestrians and cyclists, signage and lighting, and wildlife. The project is supported by a $49,540 Transport Accident Commission grant. The Engage Ararat page doesn't show the plan's adoption (checked Sep 2026).
Source: Engage Ararat — ARCC Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan
Queen and Moore Streets roundabout
2026/27 budgetA new roundabout at the Queen Street and Moore Street intersection in Ararat, budgeted at $548,000 and funded by the Victorian Government's Safer Local Roads and Streets Program.
Recently delivered
Transfer station consolidation
Pomonal, Willaura, Elmhurst and Moyston closedThe council closed four smaller transfer stations, citing declining use and ongoing operating costs, and says the Ararat and Lake Bolac transfer stations continue to operate as usual.
Source: Ararat Rural City Council — Transfer Station Operating Hours