The park has given an outstanding employment and technological emphasis to a city which has also managed to consolidate some of the established industries to provide a strong economic and employment base.

The decision of international company PIVoD Group to establish its Australian data tagging operation in Ballarat is only the latest development at the technology park and, from all indications, it will not be the last.

The fact that it comes as other modern technologies link with the historical industry of mining to revitalise the search for gold in the city should not go unnoticed.

Gekko Industries has won a $10 million contract to work with Ballarat Goldfields in its mining operation which begins next month.

It is a coming-together of modern mineral extraction process - devised in this region - with the oldest industry in the city to take advantage of the large amounts of gold still beneath Ballarat.

The fact that it has been done with the help of 50 Ballarat suppliers and 18 new staff is wonderfully encouraging.

Gekko is a significant success story, selling its technologies to countries around the world.

But the fact that it can play a key role in assisting with the latest search for gold in this "golden city" is a great result, not only for Gekko and Ballarat Goldfields, but for the city and region.

It emphasises that, not only does Ballarat have to embrace new technologies in a range of industries, it is actually doing so with great effect.

When this is put with the progress occurring at the technology park it further suggests a continuing economic strength for Ballarat.

It is essential that the focus of education and training in the city can provide the appropriate workforce to meet the needs of these changing and adapting industries.

There will be challenges ahead but if the example of Gekko and Ballarat Goldfields and the continuing development of the technology park are any indication, they will be met and overcome.