BALLARAT City Council yesterday launched its CentralBusiness District strategy.It is the culmination of a 12-month project outliningkey plans for Ballarat over the next 20 to 25 years.Immediate actions include:● Appointment of a CBD manager;● Developing a town hall plaza concept;● An updated car parking strategy;● Sturt Street footpath works;● Bridge Mall lighting and furniture upgrades;● A reconfiguration of Armstrong Street North;● Stage one of the Mair Street upgrade;● Creation of upper level development guidelines; and● The expansion of the heritage grants/verandas project.Ballarat mayor Judy Verlin said the strategy would setthe scene for where Ballarat was going as a city for thenext 25 years.‘‘This is a longer-term vision, well beyond the life of the current council,’’ she said.‘‘This is the bones and building blocks to make the city of Ballarat strong into the future.‘‘The implementation of this strategy will ensure Ballaratcontinues to be the retail, education and culturalcapital of western Victoria.’’Portfolio councillor for growth and development Craig Fletcher said Ballarat’s CBD was the heart of the vision.‘‘A healthy city needs a healthy heart, and this strategyproposes many ways to bring strength and vitality toour city,’’ Cr Fletcher said.‘‘Development in the CBD has been a little ad-hoc butwe know we’re expecting growth and we need to beahead of the game,’’ he said.‘‘This strategy will not sit on the shelf; while it is a long-term plan there are immediate actions that will be implemented over the coming months.’’Council will put in $8 million over the next four yearsto implement the strategy’s initial stages.