Works will start on the Ballarat Regional Animal Facility this month.
Minister Michaela Settle and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison turned the sod today for the new purpose-built animal shelter, located on Waringa Drive in Mitchell Park.
The City of Ballarat and representatives from H Troon and Architecture Matters also celebrated the sod turn.
Labor is investing $11.5 million in the facility along with $3 million from the City of Ballarat.
The new facility will improve animal welfare services in the Ballarat region by providing a state-of-the-art facility to care for lost, stray and surrendered pets.
It will also give Western Victoria a fit-for-purpose building to support cats and dogs in need.
The facility is set to elevate the standard of care delivered to the thousands of strays, lost, abandoned or abused animals from around the region that pass through the City of Ballarat’s animal shelter each year.
It will help meet the animal management needs of Ballarat and the broader region, including the municipalities of Hepburn, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Ararat, and Central Goldfields.
More animals will benefit from the integrated indoor and outdoor facilities, improved ventilation and infection control, and the ability to care for up to 65 dogs and more than 158 cats in code-compliant pens.
The facility is set for completion in December 2027.
Only Labor is supporting the highest standard of care for animals in need.
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle
“Every animal deserves to be treated with care and compassion, and this new facility will deliver a safer, more modern environment for pets across Ballarat and western Victoria.”
“We’re investing in the infrastructure regional communities need to support better animal welfare outcomes and ensure councils have the facilities to care for animals in need.”
As stated by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“The Ballarat Regional Animal Facility will provide a lasting benefit for our region, supporting local jobs, improving services and giving more animals the chance to find safe and loving homes.”
As stated by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
“Our new animal shelter is a game changer for our community, providing a new purpose-built place to care for animals and improved facilities for dedicated workers who look after them.”
As stated by City of Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves
‘”Our staff and volunteers do an incredible job in facilities that have long since outgrown their intended use.”
“This purpose-built facility will give our team the space, equipment and modern infrastructure they need to work more efficiently and deliver the best possible outcomes for animals.”
