BALLARAT is one of the state’s leaders in population growth, with new figures indicating the city grew by almost 2 per cent last financial year.
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The latest report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics says Ballarat is one of the top three regional Victorian areas for population growth.
The figures show the Ballarat Local Government Area population had increased by 1.8 per cent from June 2011 to June 2012.
The area of greater Ballarat’s population, including Avoca, Beaufort, Creswick, Maryborough and Ballan, has increased by 2100 people.
City of Ballarat mayor John Burt said it was no surprise that Ballarat was high on the list of areas people were moving to.
“Ballarat, as we know it, has a tremendous amount to offer all of its residents,” Cr Burt said.
“If you were forced to choose anywhere to live outside of Melbourne, Ballarat would be the first place every time.”
The figures show Ballarat’s population increased from 95,007 in June 2011 to 96,752 in June 2012, ahead of neighbouring cities including Bendigo and Geelong.
Greater Bendigo’s population increased by 1.7 per cent, and Geelong’s population grew 1.1 per cent.
Cr Burt said Ballarat should “seize the opportunity to make it work for all who move here”.
“But we must preserve all of what is unique about Ballarat and that includes our heritage and history,” he said.
patrick.byrne@fairfaxmedia.com.au