FRANCHISE NEWSNEWSVictoria

McGrath have opened the doors to their newest office in Ballarat

Real estate group McGrath Estate Agents, a division of McGrath Limited (ASX:MEA), today announced the opening of an office in Ballarat.

Reflecting the company’s desire to expand further into key areas in regional Victoria, this move follows McGrath opening its first regional office in Geelong in 2017.

Founder and Executive Director John McGrath said that Ballarat is an important growth area of Victoria.

“We earmarked Ballarat over two years ago in our McGrath Report as an important key regional market that has transformed itself from an industrial hub to an attractive lifestyle centre that offers more affordable housing, employment opportunities, a strong sense of community and a relaxed way of life,” said Mr McGrath.

“Ballarat is a prime example of a regional city that is no longer the sleepy second-tier town but, conversely, one that has come of age as [a] thriving economic centre and community.”

Christopher Mourd, Head of Franchise Network for McGrath Estate Agents, also shared his excitement on the opening of the Ballarat office.

“Ballarat has been on our radar for some time. As the third largest city in Victoria, it is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most liveable regional cities with diversified manufacturing, tourist, education and professional services in abundance.

“Ballarat is a well-planned city that is steeped in history from the days when it was at the heart of the gold
rush, and then a manufacturing town.”

McGrath Ballarat will service the area from Ballarat North to Durham Lead in the south, and Cardigan in
the west to Warrenheip in the east. Key suburbs will include Ballarat Central, Soldiers Hill, Wendouree,
Canadian and Ballarat North.

McGrath Ballarat will be led by principals Daniel Nestor and Sean Toohey, who have been involved at a sales and operational level with various real estate agencies in Ballarat.

Most recently both were directors of Ballarat Property Group.

“As we move into this important Victorian property market, our focus has been to find the right partners in Ballarat who share our core values as well as the depth of local knowledge and experience in the area,” said Mr Mourd.

“Both Daniel and Sean are highly professional in their approach to business and both embody the honesty, transparency and integrity that so important to us at McGrath.”

The Ballarat Property Market

In discussing the local property market, Mr Nestor believes there is a strong first-home buyer presence, although investors are still a dominant buyer group.

However, the migration of families and professionals from Melbourne metro areas is an increasing trend, with population on the rise and infrastructure projects making the commute more viable.

Infrastructure Victoria estimates that its population will grow to 305,000 by 2046 from its current population of 157,485 in the 2016 Census.

The $25 million redevelopment of the Ballarat Station Precinct commenced in 2017 and is anticipated to revitalise and transform the precinct into a commercial and cultural hub, along with approximately $38 million from the Victorian State Government to plan the 16 km Ballarat Link Road, a major north-south arterial road.

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