A shovel-ready waste to energy facility has a $15 million guarantee, over five years, from the City of Ballarat to support operations within the new Ballarat West Employment Zone. But the projects needs a state or federal boost to get built.

The waste to energy facility will deliver secure and affordable energy, steam and chill to new and relocating industries into BWEZ, a focus area for job and economic growth.

Central Highlands Councils have named Ballarat’s waste to energy facility as a top-five priority project for the region. Seven councils and shires banded together to present their collective blueprint for the region to Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford on Monday. CHC’s regional investment plan details 16 priority projects each municipality deems critical to target for state and federal funding to best benefit the region.

Employment, transport, health and renewable energy are key elements of the second annual CHC regional; investment plan.

“You can see a real evolution in local thinking in how to effectively lobby state and federal governments,” Ms Pulford said. “...Councils each put their local imperatives on to the bench and are thinking about the bigger picture. Some projects are hard infrastructure and others are investing in people and community well-being. A diverse economy is a strong economy.”

Waste to energy was also on the wish list in Hepburn’s commitment to implementing Australia’s first waste to energy district heating system to decrease costs in cooler months. Hepburn Shire is seeking $2.5 million to put the strategy in place.

Ballarat Sports and Events Centre’s continued push for $10 million under the federal government’s National Regions Stronger Fund was also listed a top-five regional priority for the tourism, elite pathways and education opportunity it could deliver.

Ararat’s moves to tackle obesity and poor health as a community force could soon be a formal model for Rural Australia. Ararat Rural City seeks $2.5 million for formalised research into its health success and how this could be adapted for other towns.

Integrated argibusiness in the Parwan Employment Precinct, near Bacchus Marsh, and western highway upgrades were also listed as top-five priority projects.