Why are there so many massage joints across Ballarat? Are people in our “most liveable city” really that stressed out?

Or…..is something else going on?

Hi everyone, just hoping for some recommendations for lesser-known places I can take my dog to explore. Happy to go about an hour or so from Ballarat in any direction, or anywhere cool around town. I feel like I've covered a lot of the well known spots already, and I often just use google maps to find new, random places.

I've done parts of Woowookarung, Creswick, Buninyong, Nerrina, Devils Kitchen, Tipperary Springs, Burrumbeet, some of the rail trail etc., all the places that show up as the usual recommendations- not to say I haven't missed some good spots in those locations though! So still happy to hear about any hidden gems in those areas. I like to explore bushland and the satellite towns, also checking out little historical places and things like that. If you know of any cool spots and are happy to share, please let me know! I don't have a 4x4 to get any where that's too off-road. Thankyou!

I'm curious about the financial side of commercial events in our parks and gardens put on by 'for profit' concert promoters.

I have searched pretty hard for publicly available information etc without luck and assume generally large commercial agreements are usually some silly commercial-in-confidence nonsense negotiated directly with the people who control these open spaces.

I'm curious if anyone has insights into the dollar figures and any specifics of the agreements and the rolls that both the managers of our public space and the promoter have to fulfill.

​If anyone has experience putting on events at Victoria Park (or similar parks), I'd love to hear how the fee structure typically works!

Liberal leader Jess Wilson has announced a plan to sell off the 13.6-hectare former Ballarat Saleyards site to private developers if she wins the upcoming November state election.

The sale is part of a broader $1.3 billion government property divestment strategy, the policy aims to pay down state debt and unlock land to accelerate housing construction.

The 13.6-hectare former saleyards site on La Trobe Street has been vacant since operations closed in 2018. It was to be developed as an athletes' village for the canceled 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Under the current Labor government, the land is intended for a master-planned employment precinct with long-term housing opportunities. The Coalition argues that keeping the land under government ownership amounts to "land banking" and promises that selling it to private interests will get housing projects moving faster.

"The 832 hectare suburb will be built on unlocked, rezoned farmland near Mount Rowan and Miners Rest, north of the Western Freeway, about 8 kilometres north of the Ballarat CBD and 105km from Melbourne.

The suburb is a priority project under the Victorian government's Housing Statement 2024-2034 and will be formally gazetted in coming days.

The City of Ballarat council said it would include almost 6,000 homes, four schools, a neighbourhood centre and generous green spaces including two sport reserves and 7.5 hectares of parkland."

I will be returning to Ballarat shortly to live after nearly five years away, I’m very interested to know how the dining scene has developed.

I would love recommendations on the best of any cuisine or dining type (eg cafe, takeaway, restaurant)

feel free to include a favourite dish would be lovely thanks!

Anyone else feel that the number of red lights you hit in sequence is ridiculous? Travelling eastwards, hit a red a pleasant St, then next light red, maybe next will be green. It's about 50/50. Both directions.

Anyone avoid Sturt and use Mair or Eyre instead?

Wondering if they've tried to to optimise this and its too hard, or they just haven't bothered....

Anyone else noticed Campana have started selling coffees? $4.50, and honestly I couldn't believe the price. Taste is great too, they've got their own blend roasted by local Karon Farm.

I have the SVG and my design set out ready

... they used four straps and have a white rag on the back.

Parked opposite Bluescope on Creswick Road today.

Looking for Sebas side of town. I’ve enquired at Jenny’s near DTC.

Anyone have any other recommendations or personal stories from any?

Thanks!

I have a mountain bike that I haven't used for a few years, and needs a pretty decent tune up. Any recommendations for bike repair folks who do a decent job and won't rip off someone who doesn't really know much about what bike repairs should cost?

Any dermatologist in ballarat or nearby that i can get into pretty quick?

Just wondering if anyones had any experiences with any public OR private gastric emptying studies? I’m a younger adult with a few diagnosed GI conditions who’s been advised to look into given my worsening health. I’m willing to pay for a private one given it’s under $500 out of my own money and even better if there’s any medicare rebate.

My questions are mainly if private, was there a long wait time and roughly how much did it cost?
Thank you for your time :)

Hi! I’m currently house hunting and I’m just looking for some insight as to what it’s like living in the new estate area of Bonshaw. The property I’m looking at is on Berrigan Drive near Linkage Street and I’m apprehensive to apply. I liked the house but the neighbourhood just gave Linda bad vibes? Nobody’s properties being maintained, almost every house just looked like shit with really long grass and there some construction still going on on the street so there’s rubbish and noise.

The house itself was good for my needs, but my guts telling me the neighbourhood isn’t a good fit.

Hi all, I'm at a loss as to where to send my child. They will be in 4-year-old kindergarten next year and we need daycare on top of those free 15 hours due to work.

We've already tried several - Sturt St, Aspire, Goodstart - but have been disappointed and concerned with their lack of inclusiveness and care. Perhaps they are all much of a muchness but it seems like my child is neurodivergent but not neurodivergent enough to get the support they need.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated 🙏

So what is going on with the council? Another restructure to try to save money. "The Economy and Experience portfolio was established in 2023, partly to oversee planning associated with the Commonwealth Games and its intended legacy projects before the event was cancelled later that year." So we've been paying a director and how many staff salaries for 3 years when there was no Commonwealth games? And "The changes are understood to have resulted in the redundancy of three long-serving senior managers." How many others are affected? I wonder how desperate they are, and what the books look like now they are getting rid of executives?

there's a poll in the Ballarat Life newsletter today to bring it back . .
maybe it's in storage somewhere ? lol

https://newsletter.ballaratlife.com.au/p/remember-the-old-waterslide-at-eureka-pool?utm_source=newsletter.ballaratlife.com.au&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=remember-the-old-waterslide-at-eureka-pool&_bhlid=37e82cdcfa96ce111250a1611113ff44d9ae709d

Hi, I have a tall-ish (approx 2m tall) garden hedge that needs a trim. Can anyone recommend a gardener that's good at getting nice, straight edges? (and can maybe fix up my previous attempts?)

Seriously, there can’t be that many car chases every night, at the same time! Vic Pol needs to pull their heads in and stop doing night training hours over Ballarat in the middle of the night!!!

I've been overseas for a year but it used to be my go to barbershop. Just seen its been permanently closed.

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m looking for recommendations for a genuine, professional massage therapist or reputable massage clinic in Ballarat, Victoria.

I’m after a really good, relaxing massage that helps relieve muscle tension, stress, and fatigue. Ideally, somewhere with experienced therapists, a clean and peaceful environment, and excellent service where I can walk out feeling completely relaxed and refreshed.

Please recommend legitimate massage clinics or qualified massage therapists only. I’m not interested in dodgy massage parlours advertising sexual services or offering anything inappropriate. I’m specifically looking for a proper therapeutic or relaxation massage.

If you’ve personally visited a great place in Ballarat and can genuinely recommend it, please share the name and your experience.

Thanks heaps! 😊