A report released this week ranked Ballarat as the number one city in the country when measured across the two indicators of economic growth and inclusive growth (The City Report, Polis Partners).
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This is a great news story for Ballarat and regional areas across the country, as the report highlights the top 10 leaderboard jam-packed with regional cities.
The best Australian capital city is Hobart ranked 16 with Melbourne ranked 25.
Prior to this report, anecdotally we have been hearing that due to the changing nature of work, people are looking beyond metropolitan cities to the benefits of regional living.
So, population growth for Ballarat is inevitable. We know this.
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A post-COVID world and this report serve as further insight into what is ahead for our region. Both reinforce the need for long-term planning, underpinned by sustainability to ensure a prosperous future that provides opportunity for all.
A 'Liveable City' where growth is inevitable must have the principles of sustainability as the foundation of its decision-making.
Growth that is unfettered is not sustainable and threatens our liveability.
While liveability may be difficult to measure, we know it when we see it and we know what undermines it.
Sustainability is inextricably linked to liveability and broadly is defined as the ability to exist, constantly.
If we are going to 'exist constantly' in a liveable region, we need to make decisions that will minimise damaging what is a delicate balance.
One of the risks to our liveability is climate change.
One of the actions we need to take to mitigate the impact of climate change is to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
One of the ways to reduce carbon in the atmosphere is to transition, as quickly as possible, to a lower emissions energy future, which includes large-scale generation, transmission and use of renewable energy.
Before the release of The City Report, a national group called Beyond Zero Emissions (BzE) released a report called the Million Jobs Plan.
And before BzE released their report, Committee for Ballarat released its ambition to work with key stakeholders across the region to progress towards a sustainable, carbon neutral economy, driven by 100 per cent renewable energy.
The Million Jobs Plan is a framework designed to restore our economy through practical projects to modernise our industry, reskill our workforce and deliver a bright and secure economic future.
It is a shining example of decision-making, underpinned by the principles of sustainability and will position Australia as a renewable energy superpower.
If you are wondering if this is all just 'left wing ideology', then consider those who are backing the Million Jobs Plan.
They are leaders who share apolitical interests with expertise in economics, finance and investment, industry, technology, innovation and the environment.
Far from 'left wing ideology', this is pragmatic, long-term decision making, underpinned by sustainability.
At the forefront of the rapid transition to a zero emissions economy are investment funds and corporates who recognise the risk of climate change and the role fossil fuels play in intensifying those risks.
BlackRock, the world's largest investment fund, announced in January 2020 that climate change is driving a "profound reassessment of their business", with "Sustainability at the centre of how they will invest into the future".
So, what is Ballarat and our region's role in all this?
What impact can we have in the broader implications of climate change?
The answer lies, as it does with The City Report, in the 'Goldilocks Town'.
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We are not too big, we are not too small, we are just the right size to be a test case for investment in large-scale renewable energy and the transition towards a zero-carbon future.
Ballarat is ideally placed with access to current wind and solar and the capacity to develop further technologies, including large-scale storage, to ensure a diverse and sustainable mix of renewables.
We are an attractive proposition for investors looking to scale the proven concept that exists in a number of smaller communities around the country, including Hepburn Wind.
Our potential is to be the first regional city of scale to be powered by 100 per cent locally-generated, affordable and reliable renewable energy.
We can develop a cooperative, whole-of-community model, partnering with private and government investment, that will deliver sustainable economic and inclusive growth, for a growing population.
Importantly, it's not just about growth. It is about ensuring the future is bright for our children and theirs; having positive impacts on the health and wellbeing of our community; creating a key differential for our region and responding to climate change by taking action to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
Michael Poulton, CEO Committee for Ballarat
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