The first sod has been turned, marking the start of construction of a new purpose-built animal shelter for the City of Ballarat.
Located on Waringa Drive in Mitchell Park, the $14.5 million facility is set to improve animal welfare services in the Ballarat region by providing a state-of-the-art facility to care for lost, stray and surrendered pets.
“Our staff and volunteers do an incredible job in facilities that have long since outgrown their intended use,” said Mayor, Tracey Hargreaves.
“This purpose-built facility will give our team the space, equipment and modern infrastructure they need to work more efficiently and deliver the best possible outcomes for animals.”
The Victorian Government has invested $11.5 million in the new shelter, with City of Ballarat Council contributing the remaining $3 million.
The facility is set to elevate the standard of care delivered to the thousands of strays, lost, abandoned or abused animals from around the region that pass through the City of Ballarat’s animal shelter each year.
It will help meet the animal management needs of Ballarat and the broader region, including the municipalities of Hepburn, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Ararat, and Central Goldfields.
More animals will also benefit from the integrated indoor and outdoor facilities, improved ventilation and infection control, and the ability to care for up to 65 dogs and more than 158 cats in code-compliant pens.
“Every animal deserves to be treated with care and compassion, and this new facility will deliver a safer, more modern environment for pets across Ballarat and western Victoria,” said Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Michaela Settle.
“We’re investing in the infrastructure regional communities need to support better animal welfare outcomes and ensure councils have the facilities to care for animals in need.”
The facility is set for completion in December 2027.
