VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands · Local council, made simple
Ballarat City Council
The City of Ballarat is the council for Ballarat and its surrounding towns, including Buninyong, Miners Rest and Learmonth, and home to about 122,700 people. Nine councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor each November for a 12-month term. The council runs your four-bin kerbside service, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +2.75% (state cap); waste charges +1.2%
Open →Budget & financesBallarat's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,086 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyBallarat's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
10 of 11 offence rates above the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Tracey Hargreaves (2025/26 term)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Ballarat's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, customer service centre and address.
Phone: 03 5320 5500
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 122,661 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
5 updatesRecent items from Ballarat City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft Family and Children's Strategy 2027–2030 open for feedback
The council's draft Family and Children Strategy 2027–2030 is on public exhibition on the MySay platform until Sunday 18 October 2026, before it goes to Council for consideration.
What this means for you: If you have children or work with families, you can comment on the draft strategy online until 18 October.
Source: City of Ballarat — News
- Council meeting
September council meeting: road safety actions, investment plan and data centre motion
At its 23 September 2026 meeting, Council endorsed road safety actions for Eureka Street and on illegal hoon driving, with a Road Safety Strategy to be considered in the 2027/28 budget. It adopted the Ballarat Investment Attraction Plan 2026–2030 and the Active Ballarat Strategy 2026–2030, progressed road discontinuances at Leawarra Crescent and Schreenans Road, and endorsed a notice of motion asking the state government for a moratorium on new data centre approvals until a statewide planning framework is in place.
What this means for you: The Schreenans Road discontinuance goes to public notice, where you can make a submission.
Source: City of Ballarat — News
- Waste
Have your say on Ballarat's four-bin service
The council is reviewing the four-bin kerbside service introduced in November 2025, including residents' preferences for collection frequency. The survey closes on 30 September 2026, and the review will go to Council later this year.
What this means for you: Complete the three-minute survey on MySay, or ask for a paper copy on 03 5320 5500, by 30 September.
Source: City of Ballarat — News
- Development
Works begin on the Glenelg Highway shared path
Construction has started on a 3.6 km shared path and separated bike path along the Glenelg Highway between Delacombe Town Centre and the Yarrowee River, including new signalised crossings and bus stop accessibility upgrades.
What this means for you: Expect works along the Glenelg Highway corridor between Delacombe and Sebastopol.
Source: City of Ballarat — News
- Policy
Budget 2026/27 adopted
Council adopted the 2026/27 Budget at its 24 June 2026 meeting. Average rates rise by the 2.75% state cap, waste charges by 1.2%, and the budget plans $92.3 million of capital works and $11.8 million of new borrowings.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice reflects this budget. The first instalment is due on 30 September 2026.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Ballarat City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.