That’s according to Committee for Ballarat chairman Judy Verlin, who said the natural attrition of jobs in some sectors was not endemic in local industry.

IBM, Telstra and Allied Mills all recently announced plans to shed jobs, while several other smaller contractors folded in February. 

However, Ms Verlin said aged-care services, health services and logistics were booming in the region.

Speaking ahead of the state government budget in May, she said advanced manufacturing was crucial in providing a diverse and combative local economy.

She said the City of Ballarat had a memorandum of understanding with the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing, and she urged the state government to facilitate the development of advanced local manufacturing. 

These new-age jobs would be based in the Ballarat West Employment Zone, which could be a hub for advanced waste management technologies, Ms Verlin said. 

Inevitable population growth posed many challenges, according to Ms Verlin, who said public transport was a priority for the Committee for Ballarat.

“About 6000 people come into Ballarat to work each day, so we need a service that reflects that,” she said. 

Ms Verlin said that idealistically, a full duplication of the Ballarat-Melbourne rail line would be preferable, but conceded that was a “few governments down the line”. 

And she said that psychologically, a 60-minute train service would provide substantial benefits for Ballarat.

The Committee for Ballarat was focused on lifting its head above the parapet and trying to envisage what the region will look like in 15 years, she said. 

“We need to find a way to control growth and ensure growth doesn’t control us. 

“Where’s the next fire station, ambulance depot and primary school going to be built?”

william.vallely@fairfaxmedia.com.au