General News
18 November, 2025
Talbot’s future discussed
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett and Talbot Action Inc met to discuss Talbot's future and how the government can help.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett and Talbot Action Inc (TAI), a community group seeking local development, met earlier this month to discuss how the government can help.
The main topic of conversation was the Talbot Futures project, alongside other initiatives, all related to possible development in the town.
The project lays out a vision of Talbot’s future that protects its goldrush heritage and character while allowing for a sustainable level of growth.
It’s a plan critical to the town’s future, according to the group’s president Chris Meddows-Taylor, who said the community will only get “older and poorer” without it.
“It’s all about Talbot’s future and making sure we do have a future,” he said.
The project has previously received State Government support to the tune of over $600,000.
Mr Meddows-Taylor said “a massive amount of work” has been done on the project in the years since.
This includes the completion of the Talbot Futures Sewerage Scheme Business Case, which details designs and costings for a modernised sewerage system, and the Talbot Structure Plan, which guides development while considering heritage.
He also said the community has been consulted on what possible change could look like and how the township can balance sustainable growth and the existing character.
“It was so positive to see a great many in our community contribute and have a real say on Talbot’s future development, especially on where they saw the opportunity for future growth, and what should be preserved, to ensure the Talbot we all know and love is maintained,” he said.
It’s a plan that could benefit more than just Talbot, Mr Meddows-Taylor said, but the shire as a whole.
“It’s like dominos,” he said.
The group’s pitch is that Talbot is one town among many that make up a growth corridor out of Ballarat.
However, any benefit is believed to be severely limited without reticulated sewerage in the town.
“We have to have sewerage otherwise the growth will stop in Clunes,” he said.
Ms Haylett and TAI also discussed opportunities to restore the Talbot heritage railway station and complete repairs at the Mount Greenock Geological Reserve.
Ms Haylett said many of the projects discussed “just make sense” and would be ones she’d advocate for at a state and federal level.
If successful, they’d join other projects supported by the State Government in the town including almost $300,000 for upgrades at Talbot Primary School and $50,000 to upgrade the Talbot ANA Hall.
“The State Labor Government is delivering many great things for Talbot,” Ms Haylett said.
“We know there is more to do though, and I am committed to working with TAI and other locals to get more done.”
Mr Meddows-Taylor said TAI was “grateful” for the opportunity to meet with the local member of parliament.
“Meetings like these are extremely valuable and enable communities to forge ahead with greater confidence,” he said.