In 2007, Ballarat has over 80 ICT suppliers including IBM, an iconic and progressive multinational that over the past decade has increased its investment in the region. There are approximately 15 ICT companies that have spun-out from the University. Ballarat's strong manufacturing, education and health sector provides some significant users of ICT services. Some of these organisations are significant ICT employers in their own right. Significant investment by government has provided major ICT communications infrastructure potential with high capacity optical fibre connections for the region. The Earn as you Learn scheme involving the University of Ballarat and IBM is an example of an innovative training program.

But the significant progress that has been made is still fragile. Other regional towns like Wollongong and Newcastle have overtaken Ballarat's ICT progress as an ICT centre. The Indian sub-continent has become a booming ICT cluster that increasingly dominates the industry worldwide. In Europe, ICT has taken off in some regions - Ireland for example, but others progress has been slower, e.g. Wales and Hungary. The competition for the ICT dollar has intensified, and while Ballarat has made great progress, it is some way off from take-off. In this industry, the strategies of one region are quickly copied. Innovators have to run faster just to stand still. There is no scope for complacency; Ballarat must consolidate and then grow its position through aggressive but targeted investment in capital, technology and people.

A major regional strength identified in the City of Ballarat's Economic Development strategy is the evidence of local innovation, with particular reference to the ICT sector and the University of Ballarat Technology Park. This emerging sector has gained considerable momentum and widespread recognition over recent years - through the attraction of major industry players to Ballarat and through the commercialisation of local innovation (City of Ballarat, 2006).

The University of Ballarat Technology Park was identified as a significant asset throughout the ICT 2030 consultation process, confirming its position as a strategic resource for innovation related activities. It was launched in February 1995 as a first step towards implementing a strategic initiative for the region to promote and develop regional technology companies. The Park is located on a 29-hectare site within the University's Mount Helen Campus. Signature buildings have been established as follows:

Dr Stan Jeffery, Director, University of Ballarat Technology Park identifies 'We are attracting companies to join this technology hub as the result of our cost-effective building developments, access to highly skilled and experienced research scientists, technical staff and graduates together with the global network linkages'. The close proximity to the Melbourne CBD and the airport, combined with a rural lifestyle also makes Ballarat a desirable location to live and work.

Over the last decade, Ballarat's position and potential as an ICT centre has been recognised at all three levels of Government. The recent launch of the Ballarat ICT Cluster project is an example of a concerted effort between the State Government, Ballarat ICT Ltd and the City of Ballarat to develop the local ICT sector.