Median house price
$750k
+27% change
VIC · Ballarat Council
Ballarat Central, 3350
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,083
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-4.2%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,454/wk
Employment rate
58.9%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$750,000
Languages at home
8.4%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Punjabi, Nepali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Ballarat Central is a regional mid-sized suburb in Ballarat Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Melbourne. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. There is a dense cluster of schools and early-learning options nearby.
A genuine café and dining culture runs through the area, denser than many peers of a similar size. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb.
Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average. Recognised heritage character runs through the streets, with older fabric still defining local identity.
Desirability rates good overall, led by growth momentum, plus community and employment, while safety land closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
At a glance
Ballarat Central snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$430/wk
Population (ERP)
5,083
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
12.6%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#1
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
98th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
3rd
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
73rd
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 69.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 10% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 269th in Australia
- State rank
- 119th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #1 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #11 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $430
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $750,000
- Median price change
- +27.1%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
5,083(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · -4.2% over 5 years · 3th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- -4.2%
- Change in 1 year
- -19
- Change in 5 years
- -221
- Growth rank in VIC
- 3th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~5,000), extrapolated at -0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 5,378
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,454
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 339 of 2,683
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,600
- Employment rate
- 58.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,736 / 302 / 273 (+ 21 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 2,952
- Against the person
- 315
- Against property
- 1,384
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 580.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 17 residents
- State safety percentile
- 97.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +9.3%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage173
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle234
- B43 Steal From A Retail Store392
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order317
- E23 Breach Bail Conditions484
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 8
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,062
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 73th
School list
- Ballarat Primary School (Dana Street)Primary · Government · ICSEA 1069 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 227 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1096 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 249 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Pleasant Street Primary School (Ballarat)Primary · Government · ICSEA 1095 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 350 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Macarthur Street Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 83 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Ballarat Clarendon CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1172 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 46% · 1,896 students · Top SEA quarter 68% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Newington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1007 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 278 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 1,267 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Mount Pleasant Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 972 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 129 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Ballarat Fidelity Club Kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
63 public transport stops in this suburb
- Ballarat Base Hospital/Drummond St N
- Macarthur St/Drummond St N
- Mill St/Drummond St N
- Oddie St/Drummond St N
- St John of God Hospital/Drummond St N
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
761 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
32 restaurants · 33 cafes · 9 pubs · 2 bars · 5 supermarkets · 7 pharmacies · 15 fast food · 1 food courts
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Strong café and dining scene — 101 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 22 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 63 public transport stops
- Good everyday shopping nearby — 8 shops and services
- Strong local sport and recreation — 9 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 100/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 6.14
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 18.78
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.09
Food & drink(101)
- Aussie Oggie Pasty CoBakery
611 Sturt Street
- Beechworth BakeryBakery
6 Grenville Street South
- Brumby's BakeryBakery
Unit 4 1340 Sturt Street
- Evans Home Made PastriesBakery
- Ferguson Plarre's BakehouseBakery
- Golden Nugget BakeryBakery
1117 Sturt Street
- Greens Hotline BakeryBakery
- Rosenhart's Cake ShopBakery
1203 Sturt Street
- The King BakeryBakery
5 Sturt Street
- Midtown CellarsBar
405 Sturt Street
- The Sporting GlobeBar
- Ballarat Wholefoods CafeCafe
413 Sturt Street
- Banh Mi KingsCafe
1007 Sturt Street
- Bibo Cafe + RestaurantCafe
614 Sturt Street
- Bliss Cafe & ShakesCafe
- Boost JuiceCafe
- Brunches CafeCafe
735 Sturt Street
- Cafe (2)
- Cafe 14Cafe
14 Doveton Street North
- Cafe 921Cafe
921 Sturt Street
- Caffè EurekaCafe
- CBDCafe
707 Sturt Street
- Cobb's CoffeeCafe
2 Lydiard Street South
- Cornerstone CafeCafe
206 South Street, Ballarat Central
- Country Roasts CafeCafe
801 Sturt Street
- EAST QTR. Coffee BarCafe
- EuropaCafe
411 Sturt Street
- Gloria Jean'sCafe
Unit Shop 46-47 Ballarat Central Square 18 Armstrong Street South
- Griller's MarkCafe
- L'espressoCafe
417 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central
- Mason's CafeCafe
- Nibble on SturtCafe
215 Sturt Street
- Regent Café LoungeCafe
49 Lydiard Street North
- Shep St.Cafe
- Somethin' Wit Soul DinerCafe
- Such N SuchCafe
809-811 Sturt Street
- The Bean BarnCafe
- The Hardware Cafe, BallaratCafe
- The Rusty SpudCafe
21 Peel Street North
- The Swallow's NestCafe
- The Unicorn HotelCafe
127 Sturt Street
- TreloarCafe
- Websters Market & CafeCafe
- Donut KingFast food
- Freshly BatteredFast food
Unit 7 1340 Sturt Street
- Gravy SpotFast food
- Grill'dFast food
37 Sturt Street
- Jaani Street FoodFast food
807 Sturt Street
- KFCFast food
1101-1107 Sturt Street
- Louey SoongFast food
1009 Sturt Street
- McDonald'sFast food
815-819 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central
- Red RoosterFast food
- SchnitzFast food
321 Sturt Street
- Steve's Fish ShopFast food
1019 Sturt Street
- SubwayFast food
- SubwayFast food
701 Sturt Street
- Sushi & Noodle BarFast food
- The Burger CompanyFast food
1301 Sturt Street
- Food court
- Freight Bar & RestaurantPub
- Golden City HotelPub
427 Sturt Street
- Hop TemplePub
Armstrong Street North
- Irish Murphy'sPub
- Pub
- Royal Oak HotelPub
402 South Street, Ballarat Central
- The Bended ElbowPub
- The Mallow HotelPub
- The Peter Lalor HotelPub
- 9S FoodRestaurant
308 Sturt Street
- Aroma of IndiaRestaurant
- Ballarat Gourmet BuffetRestaurant
323 Sturt Street
- Ballarat SteakhouseRestaurant
10 Grenville Street South
- Ballarat Sushi PlusRestaurant
623 Sturt Street
- Bottom of the HeartRestaurant
- Brown GrainRestaurant
212 Sturt Street
- Cafe MerkamaRestaurant
30 Doveton Street North
- ChequersRestaurant
- City Oval HotelRestaurant
1317 Mair Street
- Country CasserolesRestaurant
1031 Sturt Street
- CS CafeRestaurant
- Dyers Steak StableRestaurant
- Forge PizzaRestaurant
- Furlong Puzza & KebabsRestaurant
919 Sturt Street
- Gor GaiRestaurant
- Griller's MarkRestaurant
58 - 60 Lydiard Street North
- Holy SmokesRestaurant
- La PorchettaRestaurant
825 Sturt Street
- LolaRestaurant
- Masala ValleyRestaurant
- Mr RiceRestaurant
- Noble DragonRestaurant
739 Sturt Street
- Restaurant
- Sandwich ChefsRestaurant
- TandoorRestaurant
- Thai FusionRestaurant
- Thai Sala PavilionRestaurant
624 Sturt Street
- The Olive GroveRestaurant
1303 Sturt Street
- The Pancake KitchenRestaurant
- The TurretRestaurant
802 Sturt Street
- Western HotelRestaurant
1221 Sturt Street
Shopping(15)
- Reddy ExpressConvenience store
- Reddy ExpressConvenience store
1319 Sturt Street
- UnitedConvenience store
1108 Sturt Street
- ALDI Ballarat CentralSupermarket
102-114 Creswick Road, Ballarat Central
- ColesSupermarket
Unit 6 20 Peel Street South, Ballarat Central
- Ryan's Super IGASupermarket
Pleasant Street North
- Source WholefoodsSupermarket
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Unit 7 25 Eastwood Street, Ballarat Central
Community(6)
- Ballarat Fidelity Club KindergartenKindergarten
- Central Highlands Regional Library Corp. Ballarat branchLibrary
178 Doveton Street North
- Ballarat Clarendon College Mair Street CampusSchool
614 Mair Street
- Dana Street Primary SchoolSchool
401 Dana Street
- St Patrick's Parish Primary SchoolSchool
119 Drummond Street South
- Ballarat Town HallTownhall
Health & services(18)
- Sturt Street DentalDentist
1215 Sturt Street
- Ballarat Base HospitalHospital
- Queen Elizabeth CentreHospital
102 Ascot Street South
- Ballarat Group PracticeMedical clinic
706 Sturt Street
- Ballarat Urology ClinicMedical clinic
1328 Sturt Street
- Dorevitch PathologyMedical clinic
- Dr Jasmyn SteelMedical clinic
1332 Sturt Street
- Ear Nose Throat BallaratMedical clinic
716 Sturt Street
- Eureka Medical & Dental CentreMedical clinic
- Health First Medical GroupMedical clinic
12 Doveton Street South
- Hugh Matthews PodiatryMedical clinic
1310 Sturt Street
- Chemmart Crawford's PharmacyPharmacy
1342 Sturt Street
- Eureka PharmacyPharmacy
- Haintz PharmacyPharmacy
616 Sturt Street
- Priceline PharmacyPharmacy
- UFSPharmacy
- UFSPharmacy
1010 Sturt Street
- UFSPharmacy
717 Sturt Street
Sport & outdoors(31)
- Park (22)
- Playground (4)
- Sports field
- Western OvalSports field
- White Flat OvalSports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(4)
- Regent CinemasCinema
49 Lydiard Street North
- Ballarat Fine Art GalleryMuseum
40 Lydiard Street North
- Courthouse TheatreTheatre
- Her Majesty's TheatreTheatre
17 Lydiard Street South
Transport(41)
41 bus stops
Other(201)
- Angow & Hatt Pty LtdAir Conditioning
512 Mair Street
- Alcohol
- BWSAlcohol
- BWSAlcohol
1113 Sturt Street
- Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
61 Curtis Street
- Jacks CellarbrationsAlcohol
901 Sturt Street
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Thirsty CamelAlcohol
- Integrated HealthAlternative
518 Mair Street
- Lythgos AntiquesAntiques
803 Sturt Street
- Royal Saxon AntiquesAntiques
1319 Dana Street
- ripon cottageApartment
Ripon Street South
- Macarthur GalleryArt
1008 Sturt Street
- 'Mother Earth'Artwork
- 'Point to Sky'Artwork
- Albert CoatesArtwork
- George Devine TreloarArtwork
- Harold Pompey ElliotArtwork
- HebeArtwork
- King George VArtwork
- Peter LalorArtwork
- Queen VictoriaArtwork
- Robert BurnsArtwork
- RuthArtwork
- Thomas MooreArtwork
- Commonwealth BankATM
- People's ChoiceATM
- WestpacATM
- ANZBank
401 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central
- ANZBank
927 Sturt Street
- Bank AustraliaBank
327 Sturt Street
- Bendigo BankBank
1304 Sturt Street
- Bendigo BankBank
6 Chancery Lane
- Commonwealth BankBank
133 Sturt Street
- Commonwealth BankBank
925 Sturt Street
- NABBank
1001 Sturt Street
- NABBank
329 Sturt Street
- People's ChoiceBank
1 Sturt Street
- RabobankBank
622 Sturt Street
- WestpacBank
Unit 49 18 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Central
- Absolute IndulgenceBeauty salon
Unit 5-6 1340 Sturt Street
- Beauty On Cloud NineBeauty salon
615 Sturt Street
- Peace & QuietBeauty salon
719 Sturt Street
- Saigon NailsBeauty salon
- The Running CompanyBeauty salon
923 Sturt Street
- Bench (55)
- Bicycle Parking (11)
- Books
- Little Bridge St Interchange/Little Bridge StBus Station
- Ballarat Discount VehiclesCar
202 Creswick Road
- AutoproCar Parts
Mair Street East
- Car wash
- Crystal Clean AutosCar wash
- Dazzlers Car WashCar wash
- Ballarat Chocolate ShoppeChocolate
- AdelinesClothes
723 Sturt Street
- BelezaClothes
22 Doveton Street South
- Best & LessClothes
Bridge Street
- Fella HamiltonClothes
403A Sturt Street
- Jolly Joker CostumesClothes
623 Sturt Street
- LowesClothes
- Miss Behavin'Clothes
425 Sturt Street
- NNT Uniform BoutiqueClothes
725 Sturt Street
- Owen WilliamsClothes
307 Sturt Street
- Stephanie'sClothes
403A Sturt Street
- The LaboratoryClothes
407 Sturt Street
- TS 14 PlusClothes
319 Sturt Street
- WitcheryClothes
- David Wright Military CollectablesCollector
- Arts AcademyCollege
- BraceCollege
- The Cheesecake ShopConfectionery
1213 Sturt Street
- Hattie and the WolfCraft
202 South Street
- The Crafty SquirrelCraft
- Dollar CurtainsCurtain
- Dance School of DistinctionDance
11-13 Dawson Street South
- Big WDepartment Store
- Harris ScarfeDepartment Store
26-32 Doveton Street South
- MyerDepartment Store
301 Sturt Street
- TargetDepartment Store
5 Doveton Street South
- Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
306-312 Creswick Road
- Central Highlands WaterDrinking water
- Drinking water (3)
- Cressbells DrycleanersDry Cleaning
631 Sturt Street
- M.G. BrownElectrical
- AWM Electrical & Data SuppliersElectronics
30 Peel Street South
- Blenkiron ElectricalElectronics
7 Ripon Street North
- JB Hi-FiElectronics
24-26 Mair Street
- The Good GuysElectronics
33 Grenville Street North
- J.P. Conaughton & Co. Estate AgentsEstate Agent
514 Mair Street
- ChargefoxEV charging
- Fire Station No. 67Fire station
1120 Sturt Street
- Fiori Arte FloristFlorist
1006 Sturt Street
- StemsFlorist
- Burke and Wills FountainFountain
- Peterson Memorial FountainFountain
- Queen Victoria FountainFountain
- Garden
- Cherub Cards & GiftsGift
727 Sturt Street
- Ballarat HackerspaceHackerspace
136A Albert Street, Ballarat Central
- Ballarat Barber ShopHairdresser
- Flash's Hair & BeautyHairdresser
5 Lyons Street North
- Hair on SturtHairdresser
1207 Sturt Street
- ivy hairdressingHairdresser
214 Skipton Street
- Lords and LadsHairdresser
6 Camp Street
- Musket & BayonetHairdresser
10 Doveton Street North
- Taboo on RiponHairdresser
13 Ripon Street North
- Top Style on SturtHairdresser
1011 Sturt Street
- Connect HearingHearing Aids
709 Sturt Street
- Ballarat Health FoodsHerbalist
405A Sturt Street
- Ansonia on LydiardHotel
32 Lydiard Street South
- Best Western Lake InnHotel
- Bunch of Grapes HotelHotel
- Craig's Royal HotelHotel
10 Lydiard Street South
- Hotel
- Oscar'sHotel
18 Doveton Street South
- The Provincial HotelHotel
- ing homewaresHouseware
4 Doveton Street South
- Cold Rock Ice CreameryIce Cream
4 Sturt Street
- il piccolo gelatoIce Cream
217 Sturt Street
- Wendy'sIce Cream
- Civic GuideInformation
- Tourist Information CentreInformation
- Allan Bros. JewellersJewelry
201 Sturt Street
- Karington JewelryJewelry
703 Sturt Street
- Meticulous JewellersJewelry
- MimcoJewelry
- Laundry
711 Sturt Street
- Central Square Shopping CentreMall
- Bellis MassageMassage
- Massage
- Mimi Massage HouseMassage
- Song Chinese MassageMassage
- Ballarat Mid City Motor InnMotel
- Raceline MotorcyclesMotorcycle Repair
- RediscoveryMusic
423 Sturt Street
- Williams NewagencyNewsagent
917 Sturt Street
- The BlustoneNightclub
101-103 Mair Street
- Fairbanks Eye GalleryOptician
917A Sturt Street
- Kevin PaisleyOptician
101 Sturt Street
- Sturt OpticalOptician
731 Sturt Street
- KathmanduOutdoor
- Dulux PaintsPaint
- Australia Post Parcel LockerParcel Locker
- Ballarat Base Hospital ParkingParking
- Bunnings Car ParkParking
- Care ParkParking
- Doveton Street Parking AreaParking
- Parking (38)
- Railway car parkParking
- Staff & Student Zone 7Parking
- Staff Zone 7Parking
- Student Zone 4Parking
- White Flat Public Car ParkParking
- Parking Space
- J.T. Farquhar & SonPet
- Petstock Creswick RdPet
109 Creswick Road, Ballarat Central
- ShellPetrol station
1319 Sturt Street
- UnitedPetrol station
1108 Sturt Street
- Picnic Table
- Ballarat Christian FellowshipPlace of worship
- Ebenezer Presbyterian ChurchPlace of worship
- Saint Andrew's ChurchPlace of worship
- St John’s Lutheran ChurchPlace of worship
204A Doveton Street South
- St Patrick's CathedralPlace of worship
- St Peter's Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
Sturt Street
- Ballarat Police StationPolice
20 Dana Street, Ballarat Central
- Australia PostPost Box
- Post Box (4)
- Ballarat West Post OfficePost office
1102 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central
- Cartridge UniversePrinter Ink
- Baxter & Stubbs PrintersPrinters
Unit 3 7 Grenville Street South
- Public Bookcase (2)
- Public toilets
- Recycling (3)
- Shelter (2)
- ElysiumSpa
24 Doveton Street South
- RebelSports
13-23 Grenville Street North
- GymSports Hall
- Bolton's Office SuppliesStationery
Creswick Road
- OfficeworksStationery
118-122 Creswick Road, Ballarat Central
- Taxi
- Telephone (3)
- TelstraTelephone
- Handcrafts & Collectable ModelsToys
2-917 Sturt Street
- Escape TravelTravel Agency
415 Sturt Street
- BridgestoneTyres
- Stamford TyresTyres
7 Dawson Street South
- Federation University Australia (Camp Street Campus)University
- Federation University Australia (SMB Campus)University
Lydiard Street South
- Vacant
116 Creswick Road
- Vacant
9 Sturt Street
- The Reject ShopVariety Store
- Tomra CleanawayVending machine
- Vending machine (225)
- EB GamesVideo Games
- Waste Basket (16)
- Ballarat Associated Appliance ServiceYes
115 Armstrong Street North
- Central Dance Supplies (CDS)Yes
12 Doveton Street North
- Market St. Tyre & MechanicalYes
108 Market Street
- Pencilmark LaneYes
3 Doveton Street North
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 23
- Parks (OSM)
- 22
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
6 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Ballarat Christian Fellowship
- Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
- Saint Andrew's Church
- St John’s Lutheran Church
204A Doveton Street South
- St Patrick's Cathedral
- St Peter's Anglican Church
Sturt Street
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 16
- Nearest hospital
- Ballarat Base Hospital (0.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Ballarat Base HospitalHospital
- Ballarat Group PracticeSturt StreetDoctor
- Chemmart Crawford's PharmacySturt StreetPharmacy
- Dorevitch PathologyDoctor
- Dr Jasmyn SteelSturt StreetAlternative
- Ear Nose Throat BallaratSturt StreetDoctor
- Eureka Medical & Dental CentreDoctor
- Haintz PharmacySturt StreetPharmacy
- Health First Medical GroupDoveton Street SouthDoctor
- Integrated HealthMair StreetAlternative
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 132
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 26.0
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 128 mm · ~16 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 124 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 149 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 182 mm · ~23 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
234 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
August 2021
- Demolition of outbuildings, removal of trees, construction of four dwellings and a reduction in carparking requirements associated with existing hotel use402 SOUTH STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of outbuilding, alterations and additions to dwelling and construction of a carport422 DAWSON STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a second dwelling and two lot subdivision3 ASCOT STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350In progress
- Removal and replacement of roofing40 LOCH AVENUE BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling220 DRUMMOND STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of land for a tavern, use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor (on premises licence)26-34 LYDIARD STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alteration and extension to a building including development of outbuilding210 CRESWICK ROAD BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for the construction of a food and drink premises a reduction of car parking; and creation of access to a Road Zone, Category 1.222 MAIR STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Withdrawn
- Construction of a Vehicle Crossover105 FRANK STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling (recladding roof) and demolition of front fence219 DOVETON STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and works to facade15-21 STURT STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- S72 Amendment to: Increase the red line area to include the first floor area, and increase the reduction of car parking. Existing Permit for: Sale and consumption of liquor, reduction in carparking requirements and display business identification signage30 ARMSTRONG STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a verandah26 JOHNSON STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and alterations to dwelling227 LYONS STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of two dwellings and two lot subdivision109 HICKMAN STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of carport and pergola50 LOCH AVENUE BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of existing building for restricted recreation facility for yoga and pilates studio and display of business identification signage112 LYDIARD STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of land for indoor recreation facility (martial arts studio and 24-hour gym) and ancillary food and drink premises (cafe) and display of business identification signage210 DANA STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling and demolition of carport408 CRESWICK ROAD BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- External alterations to the building at Level 2, 3 Bath Lane2/1-3 BATH LANE BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Withdrawn
- Demolition and replacement of a fence601 STURT STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Installation of a solar energy system518 MAIR STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with a seven storey apartment building, three townhouse dwellings, use and development of a food and drink premises (cafe) with a cafe and restaurant liquor licence, partial demolition of a building, demolition of front fence and a reduction in car parking spaces4 LYONS STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of temporary business identification signage309 DANA STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling319 WINDERMERE STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Demolish existing fence and develop a new fence51 LOCH AVENUE BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling412 ASCOT STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of business identification signage and exterior painting of building613 STURT STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of a garage (retrospective), partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling, demolition of an outbuilding and development of a garage102 MILL STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling30 LOCH AVENUE BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to existing dwelling and development of an outbuilding7 TALBOT STREET NORTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Heritage reconstruction of commercial shopfronts323 MAIR STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling310 DOVETON STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and development of a new building107 LYDIARD STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 43 lot subdivision11 DAVEY STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Retrospective demolition and development of a fence427 ARMSTRONG STREET SOUTH BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of business identification signage907 Sturt StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to existing building1 Drummond Street NorthNo permit required
- Alterations to an existing building, diplay of business identification signage including internally illuminated signs1302 STURT STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and alterations to a buildingCAMP STREET BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Roadworks & transport
7 active roadworks / incidents
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 01/07/2026 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GRANT STREET, EYRE STREET30 Jun 2026 – 30 Dec 2026
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 01/07/2026 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GRANT STREET, MOYLE STREET30 Jun 2026 – 30 Dec 2026
- SprayLine Road Services activities occurring between 01/07/2025 and 21/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.DANA STREET, ARMSTRONG STREET S30 Jun 2025 – 20 Aug 2026
- SprayLine Road Services activities occurring between 01/07/2025 and 21/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.ARMSTRONG STREET S, DANA STREET30 Jun 2025 – 20 Aug 2026
- SprayLine Road Services activities occurring between 01/07/2025 and 21/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.DOVETON STREET S, EYRE STREET30 Jun 2025 – 20 Aug 2026
- SprayLine Road Services activities occurring between 01/07/2025 and 21/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.DOVETON STREET S, STURT STREET30 Jun 2025 – 20 Aug 2026
- SprayLine Road Services activities occurring between 01/07/2025 and 21/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.DANA STREET, LYONS STREET S30 Jun 2025 – 20 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
44 heritage places
- ALEXANDRIA TEA ROOMSNH0115
- ANZ BANKNH0114
- BALLAARAT MECHANICS INSTITUTE COLLECTIONYH2096
- BALLARAT POST OFFICENH1018
- BALLARAT RAILWAY COMPLEXNH0902
- BALLARAT RAILWAY COMPLEXNH0902
- BALLARAT RAILWAY COMPLEXNH0902
- BALLARAT TOWN HALLNH0978
- BALLARAT TRADES HALLNH0657
- CRAIG'S ROYAL HOTELNH0111
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Ballarat
- Member of Parliament
- Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 116,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -2.3 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 39.3%Labor 60.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.3 km away).
Coalition 30.5%Labor 69.5%
8.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BallaratLabor 71.8% · Coalition 28.2% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- Lake WendoureeLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- NewingtonLabor 66.7% · Coalition 33.3% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Black HillLabor 72.1% · Coalition 27.9% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- Mount PleasantLabor 70.5% · Coalition 29.5% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
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