Ballarat attracts national seminar

The announcement was made on Thursday at the 2016 conference, held at the City of Swan in Perth.

Presented by Economic Development Australia, the three-day annual conference attracts economic development practitioners, representatives from all levels of government and various interested organisations.

More than 200 delegates are currently in Perth to network, discuss and collaborate on future economic development projects and programs.

The conference was headlined by West Australia Governor Kerry Sanderson and Wendy Dupley, who is the Economic Developers Association of Canada director.

Themes this year included the leadership role that local government is taking to create investment and growth opportunities; collaborating to achieve economic and infrastructure priorities and why university partnerships are essential.

Ballarat City Council has also won an Economic Development Australia National Award for Excellence for the Dowling Forest Equine and Racing Precinct Investment Initiative.

The award, in the strategic thinking category, was handed out on Thursday night.

The Dowling Forest Equine and Racing Precinct Investment Initiative includes an $8 million world-class horse training facility, which has attracted renowned trainers such as Cumani Racing.

In May, Regional Development Minister and Ballarat MP Jaala Pulford announced a $300,000 state government investment in the $1.25 million project.

“The facility will generate investment in the region, create 15 new jobs and cement the club’s position as a centre for racing excellence in Victoria,” Ms Pulford said.

The city has previously won an EDA national award in 2015, for its Ballarat Industry Participation Program in the Business/Industry Development Project Award category.

It also won in 2013 for the Ballarat West Employment Zone in the Strategic Planning Award section.