Ararat Rural City is a versatile primary production area famous for its premium viticulture and wine industry, quality merino wool, and cropping and manufacturing industries. Ararat Rural City forms a "gateway" to important tourism destinations such as the Grampians Ranges, Pyrenees Ranges, Mt Langi Ghiran, Mt Cole and Lake Bolac. Ararat (pop. 7,500) is the district retail hub. Ararat is located 200 kilometres west of Melbourne on the Western Highway at the junction of several major highways.
| | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 |
|---|
| Expenditure ($) | 26.932m | 31.545m | 22.457m | 20.288m |
| Revenue ($) | 28.769m | 31.949m | 23.953m | 19.937m |
| - Charges ($) | 12.946m | 11.836m | 11.059m | 10.542m |
| - VGC Grants ($) | 5.210m | 5.124m | 4.948m | 4.605m |
