Progress towards a new purpose-built regional animal facility in Ballarat is a step closer with tender documents released calling for a project architect.
The documents released on 18 September 2023, outline the requirement for the facility to provide best practice animal management services and modern facilities that meet industry requirements, along with the ability to provide enough accommodation capacity to service the current and future demand of animals across the region.
Each year, the Ballarat Animal Shelter cares for more than 2000 lost, surrendered, abandoned, or mistreated domestic animals and livestock from across our region, offering care for pets displaced by bushfire and other emergencies.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson praised the hardworking Ballarat Animal Shelter staff
“A new facility will lead to major advances in care and an increase in capacity and will ensure these animals will be looked after in a modern, fully compliant facility,” he said.
“This will be a state-of-the-art facility providing safe, secure and appropriate housing and services for the animals in not just our municipality, but support for our neighbouring shires as well.
“It means improvements such as separate areas for cats and dogs, more time outside for animals housed in the facility and better infection control.”
The new facility would not be possible without the contribution of $11.5 million from the Victorian Government and $3 million from the City of Ballarat.
Acting Minister for Agriculture Harriet Shing said the welfare of Victoria’s animals remains a priority of the Victorian Government.
“Ballarat is one of the fastest growing cities in regional Victoria. This new facility will ensure the increasing number of pets continue to receive the care they need, including reuniting lost animals with owners and accepting surrendered animals for rehoming,” she said.
“We recognise the important role pets play in the lives of the growing community in Ballarat and its surrounds – which is why we invested $11.5 million to fund the animal shelter in Ballarat.”
The new Animal Facility will be located on City of Ballarat land located at Yarramie Court in Mitchell Park.
Tenders for the architectural design of the Animal Facility close on 12 October 2023 and the City of Ballarat anticipates the successful architect will be awarded in late 2023.
Cr Hudson said a purpose-built animal facility is incredibly important for the city.
“We know this project is of major importance to the people of Ballarat. We saw 94 per cent of responses from a survey conducted in 2021 rank a new regional animal shelter as a high priority,” he said.
“This will be the biggest improvement in animal welfare in the Ballarat region in more than 100 years and another demonstration that the City of Ballarat is committed to delivering a better Ballarat.”
