Ballarat (Ballarat city)
State planning policy identifies the requirement to accommodate projected population growth over at least a 15 year period and provide clear direction on locations where growth should occur.
The Urban Development Program identifies greenfield land as land zoned for an urban residential use, such as land zoned General Residential Zone.
There are between 7 and 9 years of zoned greenfield supply in Ballarat.
These estimates of the number of years of supply are based on the average rate of lots released over a longer-term time period (between January 2018 and June 2021) and a shorter-term time period (between January 2020 and June 2021).
Recent population trends
Over the last decade, population in the City of Ballarat has grown by 18,000 people to reach a population of around 110,000. Around 1,000 dwellings per year have been built over the last 10 years to accommodate this population growth. Most growth has been in large greenfield estates on the fringes of Ballarat, including Alfredton and Lucas.
Greenfield Supply
Greenfield land is made up larger lots commonly referred to as englobo land supply. It is classified as either:
- unzoned future residential land; or;
- zoned future residential land.
At end of June 2021 there were an estimated 12,385 retail lots of zoned englobo greenfield land. There were also enough potential major residential infill sites for an estimated 1,163 retail lots. Major infill is not included in the greenfield years of supply calculation.
Estimated retail lot supply - Ballarat June 2021
Town/Area | Development Type | Unzoned | Zoned | Proposed | Total Supply |
Alfredton / Lucas and South Western Growth | Greenfield | 0 | 9,851 | 1,635 | 11,486 |
Brown Hill | Greenfield | 0 | 660 | 122 | 782 |
Remainder | Greenfield | 0 | 88 | 29 | 117 |
Greenfield Total | 0 | 10,599 | 1,786 | 12,385 | |
All | Major infill | 0 | 1,030 | 133 | 1,163 |
Total | 0 | 11,629 | 1,919 | 13,548 |
Retail lots released with a title
Estimates of the number of years of supply are based on the average rate of retail lots released over a longer-term time period (between January 2018 and June 2021) and a shorter-term time period (between January 2020 and June 2021). Retail lots are considered released when a title has been registered and ready to construct a dwelling on.
Between 2018 and 2020 retail lot production has been averaging around 1,190 lots p.a. Since 2018 the level of retail lot production has been varied. In the first half of 2021 782 lots have been released in Ballarat.
Size of greenfield retail lots
The years of supply of greenfield land partly depends on the size of lots being produced. If new lots are smaller on average than in the past the supply of englobo land is extended.
Fragmented land
The rate at which greenfield land can be developed into houses can also partly depend on the characteristics of englobo lots. Large englobo lots, such as those over 10 hectares, can be easier to assemble and service. Smaller lots can provide opportunities for small to medium sized developments.
In Ballarat 14 englobo lots have an area of 10 hectares or more which is estimated to produce 4,150 retail lots.