Premier Jacinta Allan has fired the starters gun on Ballarat’s new athletics facility at the old showgrounds.
Victorian based contractor Ausdecom winning the contract for the facility, originally promised for the cancelled Commonwealth Games.
And in a surprise move, the Government now says the old saleyards site will be turned into a job’s precinct, as well as land for more homes.
The site is currently vacant and will undergo remediation works due to its historical land use as a livestock exchange.
The announcement comes as Ballarat Council says its structure plan for the area isn’t even underway yet.
In a statement, Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said the facility is an investment in local athletes, making sure they can follow their dreams.