LOCAL leaders say essential services, like education and health services, must continue to be developed in Ballarat to ensure the city can continue to cater for its increasing growth.
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The call comes as a new report highlights the affordability of the city. The new international Demographia report has labelled the city the nation’s 27th most affordable location, ahead of rival Bendigo.
Ballarat Real Estate manager Allister Morrison said the result reflected the low median house price in Ballarat, which remained very affordable.
“I think Ballarat has been regarded for quite a period of time as a place of exceptional value and relative affordability compared to Melbourne and Geelong,” Mr Morrison said.
However while Ballarat remains affordable, Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) data shows regional growth was the main driver of housing price increases across the state in the December quarter.
REIV data shows house prices in regional Victoria rose 2.2 per cent in the last three months of 2015 to a median of $353,000, up from $345,500 in September.
Meanwhile, growth in Melbourne moderated with the median house price down 0.1 per cent in December to $718,000. REIV Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Raimondo, said price growth in regional areas appeared to be driven by willingness by city dwellers to live further the CBD and commute - and by a new trend, with city dwellers migrating from Melbourne to live full-time in country areas.
“We’ve seen prices in major regional areas within 90 minutes of Melbourne grow in price, suggesting city commuters are looking further afield for lifestyle and value reasons,” he said. “Many regional centres within commuting distance of Melbourne are increasingly sought-after by those priced out of the Melbourne market.”
Mr Morrison said areas like Wendouree remained the most affordable – with buyers able to purchase quality cream brick veneer properties for around $250,000.
Committee for Ballarat chief John Kilgour said the City of Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism had a very clear plan in terms of generating events and drawing people to the city.
“There’s a lot happening in the region, such as viticulture, and it is important to attract people so they stay in Ballarat,” Mr Kilgour said.
Mr Kilgour pointed to the city’s world class education system and excellent health facilities as a key draw-card but maintained it was “absolutely critically” that quality services continued to be delivered to meet the city’s growth.
