Ballarat Council Opens 180 Residential Lots for Local Applicants

Ballarat City Council released 180 residential lots for sale on 7 July 2026 in the Alfredton growth corridor, with applications restricted to owner-occupiers and first-home buyers who meet income and residency rules.

The release comes as Melbourne buyers continue to push prices higher in Ballarat, where the median house price sits at $510,000. State government forecasts show another 2,400 households will move from Melbourne to Ballarat over the next two years, tightening supply in established suburbs such as Wendouree and Lake Gardens.

Local sites and eligibility rules

The lots sit on the western edge of Alfredton, bounded by Learmonth Road and the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail. A second tranche of 95 lots will be released later this year near the new Alfredton Recreation Reserve. To qualify, applicants must live or work in the City of Ballarat postcode area, earn under $120,000 for singles or $180,000 for couples, and commit to building within 24 months. Heritage overlay rules still apply to any lots that back onto the original 1850s farmhouses along Learmonth Road.

Council data released last month show 312 expressions of interest lodged in the previous Alfredton stage, with 41 percent coming from Melbourne postcodes. Average lot prices in that stage started at $185,000 for 450-square-metre blocks and reached $265,000 for the larger 650-square-metre sites.

How to submit an application

Interested buyers must complete the online form on the City of Ballarat website by 5pm on 5 August 2026. A $2,000 holding deposit is required within 48 hours of a successful ballot draw, scheduled for 12 August at the Ballarat Town Hall. Successful applicants then have 14 days to sign a contract with the state-appointed developer, Development Victoria. Those who miss the deadline can join a waitlist that council staff update weekly at the Civic Hall customer service desk on Sturt Street.

Ballarat Real Estate Institute president warned last week that demand is expected to exceed supply by at least 150 lots, so buyers should gather bank pre-approval and builder quotes before lodging an expression of interest.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.