Key details
Location
192 Ring Road, Mitchell Park
Wadawurrung Country
Project completion
The project continues to be developed in stages
Policy objective
Economic growth
Project partners
City of Ballarat
Regional Development Victoria
Overview
Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is set to become the engine room for jobs and economic growth in Ballarat over the next 20 years.
The project involves the development of surplus Crown land for industrial, wholesale, logistics, construction, commercial and residential uses, encouraging employment growth in Ballarat and the surrounding region.
BWEZ will be home to an Intermodal Freight Hub, which will provide secure infrastructure and access to road, rail and ports.
Industrial Land Now Selling
BWEZ comprises of industrial land being released in a staged manner to the open market;
Gateway Precinct expressions of interest have now closed. See the Gateway site page for more information.
Stage 1 & 1B are now complete, comprising of a range of industrial businesses across 23 lots.
Stage 2 is the next industrial precinct that will become available, north of Airport Road. It features lots that will directly front onto the Ballarat Airport, perfect for aviation businesses - learn more in the Ballarat Airport – A Strategic and Competitive Aviation Precinct document. Stage 2 is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Expressions of Interest for Stage 2 has closed however airside lots are still selling. Development Victoria is seeking aviation-related businesses that will capitalise on the proximity to the Ballarat Airport and make use of the upgraded runway. View the resources page for more information.
Stage 3 comprises two stages. Expression of interest on two large lots (Lots 1 and 2) has now closed. An Expression of Interest process for approximately 10 hectares of land in Stage 3B to establish a Circular Economy Precinct has also closed and is under evaluation.
What is a circular economy?
A circular economy continually seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption, while enabling economic growth through more productive use of natural resources.
The aim of a circular economy is to extend the life cycle of products and use resources more efficiently through recycling and reducing waste to zero.
The Victorian Government has developed a plan – Recycling Victoria: a new economy to cut waste and boost recycling and reuse of the state’s precious resources for a cleaner, greener Victoria.
438ha project area
12 lots sold, Stage 1
11 lots sold, Stage 1B
2 lots sold, Stage 2
Approach
The 2014—15 State Budget provided funding of $25.2 million and City of Ballarat provided funding of $5 million.
The Stage 1 subdivision works were completed in 2016. The subdivision included an initial release of 36ha of industrial land, construction of roads, services (including gas, recycled water and NBN) and landscaping.
With most of the land within Stage 1 sold, the State Government released an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Stage 1B in February 2017.
Civil works for Stage 1B were completed in June 2019.
Stage 2 offers approximately 55ha of high-quality industrial land, some immediately adjacent to Ballarat Airport with the potential for direct airport access STCA.
Civil works are due to commence in 2023.
The BWEZ Freight Hub is in an excellent location for freight and logistics enterprises, with exceptional access to road, broad gauge rail and aviation infrastructure. Its strategic location links Melbourne, regional and rural Victoria, Adelaide and the Ports of Melbourne, Geelong and Portland.
- Approximately 18 hectares of freehold land within the Freight Hub stage and adjacent to the Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub Terminal is currently subject to negotiations with prospective purchasers. Finalisation of these negotiations is dependent on the final configuration of the Terminal.
- Approximately 6 hectares of land is set aside for the development and operation of Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub Terminal.
Freight Hub Developer and Operator
An experienced freight hub operator is currently being sought to develop and operate the proposed Ballarat intermodal freight hub terminal.
Location
Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is located on the north-west fringe of Ballarat, adjacent to the Ballarat Airport, existing rail infrastructure and the Ballarat Western Link Road.
Development Victoria acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land.
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Gateway site EOI
Development Victoria ran an Expressions of Interest process over the month of August for businesses to purchase all or part of a 14.8ha super lot, otherwise known as the gateway precinct.
To be eligible for this opportunity, businesses were required to address a set of criteria to ensure they are able to meet a certain standard of capability and capacity, policy outcomes, and proposed use.
Gateway site EOI documents
- BWEZ - Gateway Precinct - Plan of Subdivision - Lot 1 PDF, 101.6 kb
- BWEZ - Gateway Precinct - EOI - Addendum 02 PDF, 172.8 kb
- BWEZ - Gateway Precinct - EOI - Addendum 1 PDF, 182.8 kb
- Cultural Heritage Management Plan PDF, 17.1 mb
- Geotechnical Desktop Assessment prepared by Golder Associates PDF, 1.7 mb
- Hydrogeo-logical review prepared by Senversa PDF, 7.9 mb
- Historical Information Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 26.4 mb
- Targeted Soil Assessment prepared by Senversa PDF, 10.9 mb
- Environmental Management Pan prepared by Biosis PDF, 8.5 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Staging Plan JPG, 966.4 kb
- BWEZ Development Plan PDF, 10.6 mb
- BWEZ - DP Urban Design and Landscape Guidelines PDF, 8.5 mb
Stage 2
Stage 2 is the next industrial precinct that will become available, north of Airport Road. It features lots that will directly front onto the Ballarat Airport, perfect for aviation businesses - learn more in the Ballarat Airport – A Strategic and Competitive Aviation Precinct document. Stage 2 is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Expressions of Interest for Stage 2 has closed however airside lots are still selling. Development Victoria is seeking aviation-related businesses that will capitalise on the proximity to the Ballarat Airport and make use of the upgraded runway.
Stage 3B Expressions of Interest
Development Victoria ran an Expressions of Interest process for businesses to purchase land in Stage 3B to establish a Circular Economy Precinct within BWEZ.
To be eligible for this opportunity, businesses were required to address a set of criteria to ensure they are able to meet a certain standard of capability and capacity, policy outcomes, and proposed use. The proposed use criteria includes that businesses show how they operate in a circular way.
Land is anticipated to become available in late 2024.
Running seperately to the BWEZ Expression of Interest, the City of Ballarat was calling for expressions of interest to procure its waste materials to divert from landfill and reach its vision of becoming a fully circular economy by 2050.
What is a circular economy?
A circular economy continually seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption, while enabling economic growth through more productive use of natural resources.
The aim of a circular economy is to extend the life cycle of products and use resources more efficiently through recycling and reducing waste to zero.
The Victorian Government has developed a plan – Recycling Victoria: a new economy to cut waste and boost recycling and reuse of the state’s precious resources for a cleaner, greener Victoria.
Stage 3B EOI Documents
- Stage 3B - OLS - Building height restriction (approximate only) PDF, 3.2 mb
- Circular Economy - Positive guidance - Interactive Workshop - Overview and Protocols - Timing PDF, 124.4 kb
- BWEZ Circular Economy Interactive Workshop Agenda - Bidder to Complete DOCX, 423.5 kb
- Stage 3B - Circular Economy EOI - Addendum PDF, 191.7 kb
- Stage 3B - Circular Economy EOI - Addendum 2 PDF, 391.5 kb
- Stage 3B - Circular Economy EOI - Addendum 3 PDF, 187.3 kb
Background Assessments
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Geotechnical Desktop Assessment prepared by Golder Associates PDF, 1.7 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Hydrogeological Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 7.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Historical Information Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 63.8 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Targeted Soil Assessment prepared by Senversa PDF, 10.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Environmental Management Plan prepared by Biosis PDF, 8.7 mb
Stage 4 Expressions of Interest
Development Victoria is now taking Expressions of Interest for all land in Stage 4. It comprises mostly of 1 to 2 hectare lots and a 13.5-hectare superlot. These lots will have great connectivity to the Ballarat Link Road and be near the main entrance to the Ballarat Airport.
Please see the resources below for further information.
Background Assessments
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Geotechnical Desktop Assessment prepared by Golder Associates PDF, 1.7 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Hydrogeological Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 7.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Historical Information Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 63.8 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Targeted Soil Assessment prepared by Senversa PDF, 10.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Environmental Management Plan prepared by Biosis PDF, 8.7 mb
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The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is a premium innovative industrial estate located adjacent to the Ballarat airfield and 10 minutes west of Ballarat CBD.
Design Guidelines have been prepared to guide future development within BWEZ. Guidance is provided on general provisions, landscape design, key frontages, signature sites and strategic development sites, ecologically sustainable design (ESD) and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles as well as planning application submission requirements.
The approved Development Plan requires development to be delivered to a high standard of amenity in both the private and the public environment.
Using the guidelines
The Ballarat West Employment Zone Design Guidelines been prepared as a practical reference for businesses seeking to establish operations within the precinct.
Compliance with these guidelines will simplify the planning permit application and assessment process and ensure developments present a high level of design, which provides an attractive precinct.
The guidelines provide guidance on:
- General Provisions
- landscape design
- key frontages
- signature sites
- strategic development sites
- ecologically sustainable design (ESD)
- crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles
- planning application submission requirements.
There are seven parts to the Urban Design and Landscape Guidelines.
- Part One: General Provisions that apply to all development sites.
- Part Two: Specific issues that apply to particular sites that are identified as either having a Key Frontage, Signature Site or Strategic Development Site potential that requires a tailored design response.
- Part three: Landscape design.
- Part four: Key frontages within the Precinct.
- Part five: Signature sites and strategic development sites.
- Part six: Details Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) expectations of the precinct.
- Part seven: Andes an overview of the Planning Application submission requirements.
Applicants are directed to review the guidelines to confirm if their properties are identified as having a Key Frontage or is a Signature Site or Strategic Development Site.
Each of the Guidelines sets out:
- A Desired Outcome
- Design Requirements (that must be satisfied)
- Design Suggestions (that desirably should be satisfied, but are not mandatory).
The Guidelines contain a series of illustrations, which indicate how the Design Requirements and Suggestions might generally apply to the siting and design of developments.
An example of a guideline and how to comply is shown here.
Access and Movement
Desired Outcome
Access and manoeuvring arrangements to/from and within sites at BWEZ cater for large vehicles, are safe and do not cause detriment to other road users.
Design requirements
Site layouts must provide adequate space for trucks and vehicle movements and parking.
Access and parking must not dominate the presentation of development when viewed from the street
Separate access should be provided for pedestrians and cyclists, unless it can be demonstrated that it is impractical to do so.
Truck access, manoeuvring and loading areas must to be separate from car parking areas.
Where not subdivided, all driveways must satisfy the relevant regulations and standards.
Cars and small commercial vehicles must be able to enter and leave the site in a forward direction wherever possible. On smaller lots this requirement may be waivered if it can be demonstrated that it is impractical to achieve this outcome.
Design suggestions
Loading docks should be preferably situated to the side or rear of building.
Pedestrian access through car parking areas should be clearly marked, and where possible emphasised by the use of raised and textured surfaces and articulated through landscaping.
On smaller and constricted sites, consider the use of turntables in order to achieve forward-in forward-out movement of trucks, without the need for full turning areas.
Buildings should be designed to allow loading / unloading of vehicles within the building.
In summary, the Desired Outcome outlines the vision of what is trying to be achieved, the Design Requirements indicate the specifics of the outcome, and the Design Suggestions provide examples on how to apply the aforementioned design requirements.
Assessment process
Applicants are encouraged to seek a pre-application meeting with the City of Ballarat Planning Department as early as possible.
Pre-application discussions will centre around the proposal in relation to the guidelines and how the use and development responds to a range of analysis including:
- Heritage Impact Assessment
- Cultural Heritage Management Plan
- Flood Analysis
- Details of railway connection (if any)
- Site context plan, including feature survey
- Plans fully documenting the proposal
- Ideally any comments from service providers
- Details of any materials to be stored on site relevant to Clause 53.10 (Adverse Amenity Impacts) which relates to the required setback of specific land uses from sensitive land uses like residential areas
- Vegetation removal details (if any)
- Title documents.
- Applications may be submitted in hardcopy or electronically - electronically is preferred. If submissions are being provided in hardcopy, up to 3 x A3 copies are to be supplied.
- Information and drawings that must be supplied with the planning permit application include:
- Copy of Certificate of title and title plan, searched within 30 days of the application being lodged with the City of Ballarat.
- Location Plan (showing site within BWEZ).
- Existing Conditions Plan (showing adjoining developments and infrastructure, including rail).
- Context Analysis Plan (required for all Key Interfaces and Signature Sites; encouraged for all other sites).
- Plans and diagrams illustrating how the proposed development will respond to the local context.
- Site Layout Plan at a scale of 1:500 or as agreed.
- Building elevations at a scale of 1:100.
- Materials and finishes schedule for building elements and any external finish including pathways and fencing.
- Landscape plan at a scale of 1:200 or as otherwise agreed.
- Lighting as per the guidelines requirements.
- A site works specification including the method of preparing, watering and maintaining landscaped areas.
- Numbering and signage.
- A completed Development Checklist.
- A Planning Report outlining how the proposal responds to the provisions of the Ballarat Planning Scheme and the BWEZ Development Plan, including an assessment addressing any potential amenity impacts on nearby areas.
- An arborists assessment of the vegetation to be removed (if applicable). If the vegetation proposed to be removed is native vegetation, additional information will be required. Please contact the Planning Department for more information.
- A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (if applicable).
Full information on planning application submission requirements can be found in Section 7 of the Guidelines or by contacting the City of Ballarat Planning Department.
If you have any questions regarding the content of the Guidelines and how to achieve compliance, we recommend that you call City of Ballarat on 03 5320 5107.
Background Assessments
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Geotechnical Desktop Assessment prepared by Golder Associates PDF, 1.7 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Hydrogeological Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 7.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Historical Information Review prepared by Senversa PDF, 63.8 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Targeted Soil Assessment prepared by Senversa PDF, 10.9 mb
- Ballarat West Employment Zone Environmental Management Plan prepared by Biosis PDF, 8.7 mb
Updated on 06 September 2023