More than 2,500 Ballarat drivers are using Victoria’s first digital driver licences as the local pilot builds momentum ahead of a statewide rollout.

Newcomers to freshwater fishing will catch tips and tricks from experts next month at the Ballarat Fishing Festival on Saturday 2 September. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny today announced the free festival will mark the opening of the trout fishing season and celebrate all that fishing in the Central Highlands has to offer.

Thousands of cycling fans are set to line the streets of Ballarat when the AusCycling Road National Championships return in 2024, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government and the City of Ballarat. Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Ben Carroll today confirmed the prestigious tournament will return from 4 to 7 January next year.

From a fully accessible Ballarat station to 5,000 extra seats at Eureka Stadium, athletics track and more affordable housing across our region, we'll deliver the lasting benefits people in Ballarat have asked for.

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting manufacturers across the state to equip their workers with the cutting-edge digital skills needed to boost competitiveness and create more jobs of the future. Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll today visited Ballarat manufacturer SEM Fire and Rescue, which is one the businesses benefitting from the Labor Government‘s $4.5 million Digital Jobs for Manufacturing program.

A new Family and Carer-led Centre in the Grampians region is one step closer with a service provider appointed. Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams today announced Mind Australia will deliver support for Victorians across the Grampians region – with the centre to open later this year.

More than 25,000 Victorians have cared for at one of our nine regional Priority Primary Care Centres since they were launched in September 2022, taking pressure off busy emergency departments, and helping save emergency resources for those most in need. Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, today visited the Ballarat PPCC, which has provided care to more than 10,000 members of the Ballarat community since opening in November 2022.

The first tower crane has been given an official name ahead of its arrival on the site of the Andrews Labor Government’s massive $595 million Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment. The 43-metre high crane has been named after Maureen Woodford to honour her significant contribution to healthcare in the Ballarat community.

A new whisky, gin and vodka distillery will open in Ballarat this year, creating construction jobs now and boosting the city’s hospitality offering well into the future. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle toured the fit-out underway at the Ballarat Goods Shed where the distillery ‘Itinerant Spirits’ will deliver a world class distillery and bar.

The Andrews Labor Government is doing what matters for families, parents and kids across regional Victoria, with a comprehensive package to give parents the support they need at the start of their life as a new family.

The Andrews Labor Government is another step closer to delivering the massive Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment, with four industry leaders shortlisted for the contract.

Hundreds of Victorians with a passion for horses will have the opportunity to start a career in racing thanks to a program placing disadvantaged jobseekers into work with some of the state’s best stables. Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today visited the Ballarat Turf Club to announce a $3.1 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government to deliver 200 jobs in the racing sector through Jobs Victoria.

The Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club (BGRC) is set to benefit from the construction of a new kennel building which will improve the quality and safety of racing and training infrastructure at Morshead Park. The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the upgrade with more than $1.6 million provided through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund with Greyhound Racing Victoria matching the contribution, bringing the total value of the project to more than $3.3 million.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a new community sporting venue at Miners Rest, that will support local sports clubs to train and compete ahead of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games. The brand-new venue will be just ten minutes from Eureka Stadium and include a competition-grade oval and sports pavilion with carparking, amenities and changerooms all designed to accommodate local sporting activities.

The Andrews Labor Government will give motorists the option to carry their licence on their phone with a digital driver licence trial in Ballarat before a statewide roll-out by 2024. The new technology will give motorists the choice to store a secure digital version of their driver licence in the popular Service Victoria app or soon-to-be-launched my VicRoads app.