But how will Ballarat attract investment in its CBD and provide diversity of housing to cater for all current and future residents?

And how do we maintain Ballarat's identity while experiencing such rapid growth?

These big questions were the focus of a Committee for Ballarat forum held on Friday morning.

City of Ballarat's chief executive Evan King and director of development and growth Natalie Robertson spoke about council's work on planning for growth.

Mr King there should not be a debate about greenfield versus infill development as one could not work without the other.

Ms Robertson said Ballarat must build more than 1000 houses a year to meet demand.

She said City of Ballarat had identified growth areas in the north and further west of the CBD but was yet to define the boundaries of those areas.

"We are now asking have we got it right and will it be enough to give us 15 years land supply," she said.

Ms Robertson said the best way to meet needs for diversity of housing was through infill development and council was working on the planning scheme to provide confidence for developers and the community.

She said City of Ballarat was working on a municipal wide housing strategy.

"We are behind with that but we are trying to play catch up," she said.

Affordable housing and inadequate funding for infrastructure needs were acknowledged as problems, as well as car dependency and a need for high quality architecture.

Integra Group director Nick Grylewicz said Ballarat would need to plan well and provide services and infrastructure early to avoid unchecked growth and urban sprawl.

He shared insights into the development of Lucas as a suburb.

The town centre was built in the first two years, there are seven parks meaning all houses are a five minute walk from green space, walking and cycling trails encourage active transport and bus stops were installed at all parks despite the bus route not coming through Lucas yet.

Hygge Property director Joseph van Dyk is collaborating with Nightingale Housing to deliver a 27 apartment carbon neutral building with seven affordable housing units, built to an 8.2 star energy rating in Davey Street.

He said there was great possibility to develop diverse housing in Ballarat's CBD to boost infill growth rate which was only 0.5 per cent last year, compared to 10 per cent in the western growth corridor.

Mr van Dyk said initiatives in policy like the Ballarat Strategy, which encouraged land use for a compact city, should be reprioritised.

He said debt finance was difficult for developers for infill projects in regional areas, but now house prices in Ballarat Central were approaching $1 million infill growth could happen organically.

Mr van Dyk said developers needed clear policy guidelines from council on skyline, view line and heritage protection.

"I don't think we should be scared of height. If it is done well it can be exceptional," he said.

Hygge Property lodged a planning application for 59 new apartments and three townhouses with City of Ballarat on Thursday.

"The community needs to have an open mind for mid-level buildings," he said.

"An opportunity sits in that 30 to 60 dwelling building."

Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton said the growth forum was designed to create an awareness of these issues in the community.

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