JUDY Verlin’s appointment as Committee for Ballarat chair is a sound move that will only result in benefits for the region.
Her passion for the city has been evident during her times as councillor – and mayor – of the City of Ballarat.
Her extensive knowledge of how this region ticks will be instrumental in helping to drive Committee for Ballarat projects and plans well into the future.
This combination of passion and knowledge can only help to boost the already good work the Committee for Ballarat has done for the city over the past seven years.
Cr Verlin, who announced recently that should would not re-nominate as a candidate in the central ward of the City of Ballarat, will take over her new role as Committee for Ballarat chair in October. She replaces Tony Chew, who has been instrumental in helping to lead the committee in many positive programs for Ballarat.
Formed in 2005, the Committee for Ballarat facilitates economic and social development. In that time, it has backed many worthy projects, including refilling of Lake Wendouree, making sure the city is in a good position to meet the demand of a growing population and playing an influential part in securing funding from the Federal Government for the Deer Park Bypass.
Cr Verlin’s involvement with the Ballarat Today Tomorrow Together document, which outlined vital infrastructure and planning to meet a projected population of 144,730 by 2036, stands her in good stead to lead and help guide the Committee for Ballarat.
During her time as mayor, Cr Verlin was able to sell this growth plan at the highest of government levels. With her at the helm, the City of Ballarat did its homework and provided evidence-based data when asking for funding for the future infrastructure, which included the Ballarat West Growth Area Plan and the Ballarat Airport precinct as the base for a booming industrial area.
Cr Verlin is adamant that Ballarat does not become a “dormitory” for areas like Melbourne and Geelong. With her new position, she can help ensure that it does not happen.
She believes Ballarat is well-positioned to be a major regional service hub for a larger regional catchment. “The stronger Ballarat is, the stronger the regional community is,” she said.
And with the respect of both sides of politics due to her hard work as Ballarat mayor, Cr Verlin is one of the best people in Ballarat to lead this city into the future.