My Choice
New Residents Program
If you are considering a lifestyle change there are many compelling reasons to choose Ballarat.
To assist you in your transition, the City of Ballarat invites all new residents to participate in the New Residents Program.
This program is designed to welcome you to our vibrant city and to help you settle into our lifestyle quickly and easily.
On your arrival to Ballarat, you will be able to apply to take advantage of the Ballarat New Residents Program that consists of a New Residents Welcome Booklet and the invitation to attend four New Resident Functions throughout the year.
New Residents Welcome Booklet
The New Residents Welcome Booklet provides information about key Council and non Council Community Services that may assist residents that are new to Ballarat.
This booklet also includes thousands of dollars worth of vouchers that we hope will assist you as you settle into your new home.
What's in the package?
Examples of these vouchers are:
- A free dishwasher with every kitchen purchased – Advanced Cabinetry
- A free computer course – BEST Community Development
- 10 Week subscription to The Courier for $10.00 - The Courier
- 3 Months FREE Broadband, FREE installation and a FREE modem – Neighbourhood Cable
- Free Membership – North Ballarat Football Club
- 50% off any hair service for your first visit – Salon Boji
New resident functions
As a new resident, you will be invited to attend four New Resident Functions during your first year. These functions are held quarterly. They are informal and a great way to meet people, make new friends and find out more about our great city and what it has to offer.
Each new resident to Ballarat will be invited to attend a initial function at the Town Hall within the first three months of their arrival to meet the Mayor and Councillors and to find out about the services offered by the City of Ballarat.
After this function, the residents will then be invited to three more functions throughout the year (one each quarter). The extra functions will consist of activities and tours using facilities such as the Eureka Centre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat Botanical Gardens and the Ballarat Municipal Observatory.
Eligibility
If you are a permanent resident of Ballarat that has been living here for less than 3 months, you are eligible to apply for the New Residents Program.
How to apply
Applying takes approximately five minutes with a visit to the Customer Service at the Phoenix Building, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat.
You will need to bring the following documentation to claim your package:
- signed contract of sale;
or - a rental agreement of at least six months or more;
along with one of the following documents
- a drivers license;
or - Photograph ID
For more information contact the Customer Service team on 5320 5500
Phase-out of My Choice Card: What you need to know
New Residents that have claimed a My Choice card prior to 1 July 2009, will still have 12 months use of their card, from the day it was claimed.
Therefore these residents may continue to redeem offers with the old method until 30 June, 2010.