The City of Ballarat Creative City Strategy and Master Plan, which aims to position Ballarat as one of Australia’s leading creative cities, has been recognised with a national award.
Presented at the National Economic Development Conference, the award was presented in the Economic Development ‘Strategic Thinking’ category. The nomination was judged on the economic development issue and process adopted as well as learnings.
Ballarat’s Creative City Strategy and Master Plan were adopted in May 2019 with community support. The Fringe Benefits live music event on the eve of the Spilt Milk Festival at Victoria Park, the Activated Artwalk during the Winter Festival and the activation of art filled laneways are examples of the Creative City Strategy in action.
The Creative City Strategy helps guide Council’s policy and investment for the traditional creative industries; as well as addressing broad creative sectors such as research and development, gastronomy and software and technology.
A spokesperson for the City of Ballarat said the award was recognition of the successful collaboration between Council and its community, to successfully leverage Ballarat’s history and creativity.
It is one of four key City of Ballarat projects recognised for excellence over recent years including the Dowling Forest Master Plan, Ballarat Industry Participation Program and the Ballarat West Employment Zone.
