Ararat Rural City Council adopts Budget, CBD plan and key community strategies
Ararat Rural City Council has adopted the 2026/2027 Budget, the Barkly Street CBD Parking Project, and a suite of strategic plans at its Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026.
The 2026/2027 Budget, which underwent extensive community consultation, has now been formally adopted and is available on Council’s website for the community to view. Key features include ongoing maintenance and renewal of Council assets, a digital transformation program, and a range of projects across recreation reserves, roads, drainage, pools, and local infrastructure.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison, said the Budget reflects community priorities and balances day-to-day service delivery with long-term planning. “This Budget is about getting the basics right, investing in the future, and responding directly to what our community has told us matters most,” Dr Harrison said. “We are continuing to look after our roads, pools, and community facilities, while also modernising how Council does business so we can deliver services more efficiently and transparently.”
At the same meeting, Council formally adopted the Barkly Street CBD Parking Project following extensive community engagement and design refinement. Feedback from traders, residents, and visitors helped inform changes to accessible parking, short-stay options, and the final layout. The adopted design includes a total of 201 carparks, 11 accessible parking bays, 2 motorcycle bays, 11 loading bays, 2 taxi bays, and 2 bays for vehicles longer than 6 metres.
Dr Harrison said the Barkly Street CBD Project would support local businesses and improve access to the town centre. “Barkly Street is the heart of our city, and this project is about making it easier for people to visit, shop, and do business in Ararat,” he said. “We have listened carefully to feedback on parking and access, and the final plan strikes a fair balance between different needs while making the CBD safer and more welcoming for everyone.”
Council also considered the Draft Community Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030, which sets out a long-term, evidence-based framework to reduce road trauma across the municipality. Between 2020 and 2024, Ararat Rural City recorded 158 casualty crashes, including five fatalities and 83 serious injuries, underlining the need for coordinated improvements in road safety. The Action Plan identifies seven strategic goals, with a focus on high-risk rural roads, intersections, vulnerable road users, speed management, and continuous improvement.
Key risk areas highlighted in the draft include high-speed rural roads and long-distance travel, run-off-road crashes and roadside hazards, high-risk intersections, wildlife hazards on key corridors, and exposure for vulnerable road users. Community priorities identified through engagement include fixing potholes and edge drop-offs, intersection upgrades, speed limit reviews, and improved school zone safety.
Dr Harrison said improving road safety would require partnership with the community, other levels of government, and key agencies. “Too many people have been hurt or lost on our roads,” he said. “This strategy is about using data, local knowledge, and practical actions to make our roads safer, especially on rural routes and near our schools.”
In a move to improve customer service and reduce red tape, Council has also resolved that the CEO will develop and implement a plan to establish and sustain Council’s capacity to issue building permits by 30 September 2026. The focus will be on making approvals for smaller domestic works, such as pergolas and carports, faster and more efficient for residents.
Dr Harrison said building approvals are a common point of contact between residents and Council. “People just want clear information and timely decisions when they are investing in their homes,” he said. “By building in-house capacity to issue permits, we can streamline processes, improve accountability, and support local builders and homeowners.”
Council has also endorsed the Ararat Rural City Sport and Active Recreation Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2036, following another extensive round of community consultation. Council had input from over 330 community members and 50 stakeholder groups, which reflected the very strong interest that Ararat Rural City has in sport and active recreation. The Strategy sets a long-term direction for sport and recreation facilities, with particular community interest in the future of pools in Ararat, Lake Bolac, and Willaura.
Dr Harrison said the Strategy recognises the important role of sport and active recreation in community life and wellbeing. “Whether it is a local pool, a netball court, or a walking trail, these facilities are where people connect, stay active, and support each other,” he said. “This Strategy gives us a clear framework for working with clubs, volunteers, and partners over the next decade to make sure our facilities are safe, accessible, and fit for purpose.”
All plans and draft plans are available on Council’s website for review.
*Image supplied: Craig Wilson of the Ararat Advocate
