WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN · 6. Snapshot of the region 9 7. Drivers of change...

WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEEREGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

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May 2014

Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i

PART A INTRODUCTION 11. Whatisaregionalgrowthplan? 12. Whyweneedthisplan 43. Howthisplanwillbeused 54. Howthisplanwasprepared 65. Componentsofthisplan 7

PART B REGIONAL OVERVIEW 96. Snapshotoftheregion 97. Driversofchangeandchallengesforgrowth 148. Visionfortheregion 179. Principlestoachievethevision 17

PART C TOWARDS THE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN — REGIONAL LAND USE FRAMEWORK 19

10.Economicdevelopment 1910.1 Overview 1910.2 Rurallanduse 2010.3 Agriculture 2310.4 Industry 2410.5 Energy 2610.6 Earthresources 2810.7 Tourism 2910.8 Commercialactivity 31

11.Environmentandheritage 3211.1 Overview 3211.2 Environmentandheritageassets 3411.3 Naturalhazardsandrisks 38

12.Urbansettlement 4012.1 Overview 4012.2 Regionalsettlementstrategy 4112.3 Housingdiversityandaffordability 4512.4 Regionalcity–Horsham 4612.5 Districttowns 4912.6 Otherkeytowns 5512.7 Smallsettlements 5612.8 Ruralsettlement 58

13.Regionalinfrastructure 5913.1 Overview 5913.2 Water,energyandutilities 5913.3 Transportnetworks 6213.4 Socialinfrastructure 67

PART D REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN 7114.Futuredirectionsforregionalgrowth 71

PART E DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH 7715.Implementation 77

15.1 Planningschemes 7715.2 LinkstoRegionalStrategicPlanImplementation 7715.3 Infrastructureplanning 7815.4 Keyimplementationactions 7815.5 Performance, monitoring and review 80

GLOSSARY 81

CONTENTS

Figures

Figure1:Projectedpopulationchangebymunicipality 9

Figure2:Projectedchangestothepopulation oftheregion2011-2031 14

Figure3:Projectedchangeinpopulationandnumber ofdwellings2011-2031 40

Figure4:WimmeraSouthernMalleesettlementnetwork andcharacteristics 43

Map1:Theeightregionalgrowthplans 3

Map2:WimmeraSouthernMalleeregion 6

Map3:Linkstosurroundingregions 12

Map4:Regionalstrategicassets 13

Map5:Rurallanduse–somepotentialstrategicopportunities 22

Map6:Strategicenergyopportunities 27

Map7:Environmentandheritagefuturedirections 33

Map8:Strategicsettlementframeworkplan–communitiesofinterest 42

Map9:Horshamstrategicframeworkplan 48

Map10:Futuredirectionsfortransport 63

Map11:Regionallandusestrategy 74

iRegional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ThisregionalgrowthplanprovidesaregionalapproachtolanduseplanningintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.ItcoversthemunicipalitiesofHindmarsh,Horsham,NorthernGrampians,WestWimmeraandYarriambiackandidentifiesopportunitiesforencouragingandaccommodatinggrowthandmanagingchangeoverthenext30years.

Theplanidentifies:

• wherefuturedevelopmentwillbesupported,assessedataregionalscale

• environmental,economic,communityandculturalassetsandresourcesofregionalsignificancethatshouldbepreserved,maintainedordeveloped

• keyregionalprioritiesforfutureinfrastructureplanningandinvestmenttosupportgrowth.

Vision for the Wimmera Southern Mallee in 2041

In2041theWimmeraSouthernMalleeisaprosperousregionthatusesitsnaturaladvantagesofahealthyenvironment,extensivespacesandarangeofurbanandrurallifestyleopportunitiestoattractmoreresidents,businessesandvisitors.

Increasedprimaryproductionremainsanimportantfocusoftheregion,butamorediverseandinnovativeeconomy,includingnewagriculturalcommodities,industry,tourism,researchandeducationmeansthatthecommunitycanadapttochangingeconomicandenvironmentalconditions.

Theenvironmentisprotectedandenhancedbysustainablecommunitiesandindustry.

Peoplecanchoosefromavarietyofplacestolivethroughouttheregiontosuitdifferentlifestyles,withanetworkofsmallandlargetownsprovidinghubstoaccesscommunityactivityandservices.

GoodtransportconnectionsareprovidedwithinandbeyondtheregiontofacilitiesandmarketstoimprovethecompetitiveadvantageoflivingandworkingintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.

PART B | REGIONAL OVERVIEW

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Principles and key directionsTheprinciplesandkeydirectionsidentifiedtoachievethe2041visionfortheWimmeraSouthernMalleeare:

Principle Key directions

1.Growthshouldbeencouragedthroughouttheregiontocreateanetworkofintegratedandprosperoussettlements

• MakeopportunitiesforpopulationandeconomicgrowthavailablethroughouttheWimmeraSouthernMallee

• Supportahighlyconnectednetworkofsettlementsbasedoncommunitiesofinterest

2.Keycentresshouldbeafocustomanagepopulationchangeandaccesstoservices

• Focusurbandevelopmentandcommunityfacilitiesinexistingsettlements

• PlanforHorshamandtheregion’sdistricttownstoactasfocalpointsfordevelopmentandprovidefacilitiestosmallerneighbouringcommunities

3.Ecologicalhealthandrurallandscapesshouldbeenhanced

• Protectregionallysignificantenvironmentalassets

• Encouragegreaterconnectivitybetweenareasofmediumtohighnaturalvalue

• Identifyandprotecttheregion’ssignificantlandscapes

4.Keyagriculturalresourcesshouldbeprotected,productivitymaintained,andthedevelopmentofindustrysupported

• Protectlandandenvironmentalresourceswhichmakeasignificantcontributiontotheregion’sagriculturalproductivity

• Encouragediversificationofagriculturalproductionwhichtakesadvantageofnaturalandinfrastructureassets

• Supportlocalindustries,activitiesandinfrastructurewhichcomplementandenhancetheregion’sagriculturalsector

5.Theregion’sassetsshouldbeusedtofacilitatethediversificationoftheeconomyandbuildaresilientcommunity

• Encouragediversificationoftheregionaleconomythroughbuildingontheregion’sassets,particularlyagriculture,energy,miningandtourism

• Providecommercial,retailandindustrialopportunitieswithineachcommunityofinterest

6.Planningshouldsupportadaptationtochangesinclimate• Planforthepotentialeconomicandsocialimpactsofclimatechange

• Managetherisksassociatedwithnaturalhazards

7.Thedevelopmentofdistinctsettlementsshouldbesupportedtocreatehealthy,attractiveandliveablecommunities

• Supportliveablecommunitiesthroughthedevelopmentofarangeofhousing,qualityurbandesignandaccesstocommunityfacilities

• Protectthosevaluedcharacteristicsoftownswhichmakethemuniqueandliveable

8.Opportunitiesforgrowthshouldbeidentifiedtofacilitateappropriatelocaldevelopment

• PromoteapositiveandadaptableapproachtoplanningfortheWimmeraSouthernMallee

9.Infrastructurerequiredtosupportgrowthshouldbeidentified

• Supportservicinginfrastructurethatfacilitatesurbangrowth,environmentalresilienceandeconomicdevelopment

• Encouragesocialinfrastructurethatiswelllocated,flexibleandaccessible

• Integrateplanningforfreightandpassengertransportwiththelandusedirectionsofthisplan

REGIONAL OVERVIEW | PART B

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Stawell, Northern Grampians Shire

PART A | INTRODUCTION

Mt Arapiles, image courtesy of Michael Dunn

1Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE

1. What is a regional growth plan?EightregionalgrowthplanshavebeendevelopedtoprovidebroaddirectionforlanduseanddevelopmentacrossregionalVictoria(seeMap1).Theyalsoprovidemoredetailedplanningframeworksforkeyregionalcitiesandcentres.

IncreasingthegrowthofregionalVictoriawillhelpimprovethestate’scompetitivenessbystrengtheningregionallabourmarkets,expandingmarketsforlocalgoodsandservicesandprovidingagreaterdiversityofaffordablehousingandemploymentopportunities.

Regionalgrowthplans,togetherwiththenewmetropolitanplanningstrategy,Plan Melbourne,havebeenalignedinawaythatbuildsontheinterdependenceofoururbansettlementsandfacilitatestheirdevelopmentasanetworked‘stateofcities’.Unlockingthegrowthpotentialofthesecities–sotheycanaccommodateagreaterproportionofthestate’sfuturegrowth,withgoodtransportconnectionsbetweenthemandMelbourne–willcreateastateofcitieswheretherearegreaterchoicesforpeopleaboutwheretolive,workorstartabusiness.ItislikelythatdemandforhousinginregionalcitiesandcentreswouldbeacceleratedinthefuturewiththeimpositionofapermanentgrowthboundaryaroundMelbourne.

TheregionalgrowthplansrespondtodirectionsestablishedintheregionalstrategicplansthatwerepreparedacrossregionalVictoriabetween2007and2010.

RegionalgrowthplansarethenextstageinplanningforgrowthandchangeinregionalVictoria.Theyhavebeendevelopedinpartnershipbetweenlocalgovernmentandstateagenciesandauthorities,andreflectstateandlocalgovernmentobjectives.

Theseplansprovidealong-termviewoftheregionto2041andbeyond,allowingforsomeshort-termactions,andprovidinglong-termstrategiclandusedirection.

ThisplanprovidesaregionalapproachtolanduseplanningintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeandidentifiesopportunitiesforencouragingandaccommodatinggrowthandmanagingchangeoverthenext30years.TheplancoversthemunicipalitiesofHindmarsh,Horsham,NorthernGrampians,WestWimmeraandYarriambiack.

WhilemostpartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleearenotexpectedtoexperiencesignificantpopulationgrowthbetweennowand2041,thereisaneedtoconsiderhowlandisusedtofacilitateeconomicgrowthandsupporttheproductiveuseofland.Theplanconsidersawiderangeoflandusesincludingagriculture,tourism,protectionofenvironmentalassets,commercialandresidentialuses.

Theplanprovideslanduseplanningresponsestothegoalsandactionsidentifiedintheregionalstrategicplan,titledtheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalPlan1,whichwaspreparedcollaborativelybycouncilsin2010.TheregionalstrategicplanidentifiedtheneedtoundertakeregionalscaleplanningstrategiestoprovideacommonapproachtolanduseissuesaffectingtheWimmeraSouthernMallee.

1 Theregionalstrategicplancanbefoundhere:www.rdv.vic.gov.au

PART A INTRODUCTION

A competitive and innovative economyStrategicdirection1:Strengthenthefarmingsector’scapacitytoprosperinachangingclimate

Strategicdirection2:Buildtheregion’snature-basedandoutbacktourismindustry

Strategicdirection3:Facilitatingindustryclustersandbuildingonregionalstrengths

Strategicdirection4:Innovativeandsustainableenergysolutions

Strategicdirection5:Broadbandandmobilephonecoveragestandardsenablethewholeregiontobecompetitiveandliveable

Strategicdirection6:Transportinfrastructuresupportstheneedsoftheregion’sindustriesandcommunities

Strategicdirection7:ProvideaccesstoacomprehensiveandcontemporaryrangeoflearningprogramsfromK-12,regardlessoflocation

Strategicdirection8:Increaselocallyaccessible,post-secondaryeducationandtrainingopportunities

Strategicdirection9:Attractandretainworkerstomeetimmediateworkforceneeds

A healthy and resilient environmentStrategicdirection10:Sustainablemanagementanduseofwater

Strategicdirection11:Ahealthycatchment

Strategicdirection12:Acommunitylivingmoresustainably

Community wellbeingStrategicdirection13:Strengtheninglocalcommunities

Strategicdirection14:Healthandcommunityservicesdeliveryrespondstopopulationchange

Regional settlements and land use planningTheregionalstrategicplansetoutprinciplestosupportstrategicsettlementandlanduseplanning.ThesehavebeendevelopedfurthertoformtheprinciplesoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlan(seeSection9).

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalPlan2010providedthefollowingstrategicdirections:

INTRODUCTION | PART A

Map1: The eight regional growth plans

Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure

2. Why we need this planTheregionalgrowthplanstranslateandintegrateemergingstatewideregionallanduseplanningpolicy.Theyprovidethebasisforregionalcoordinationandfutureplanningofinfrastructuretosupportregionallanduseobjectives.

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlan:

• establishesaframeworkforstrategiclanduseandsettlementplanningthatcansustainablyaccommodategrowth

• identifiesimportanteconomic,environmental,socialandculturalresourcestobepreserved,maintainedordeveloped

• providesdirectionforaccommodatinggrowthandchangeincluding:residential,employment,industrial,commercial,agricultureandotherruralactivities

• showswhichareasoflandcanaccommodategrowth

• identifiesopportunitiesforsupportingregionallevelinfrastructure,providinganessentialcontributiontothelong-termsustainabilityoftheregion.

Theplanwillhelpcouncilsbystreamliningplanningpolicyandpotentiallyreducingtheirstrategicworkload.Itwillalsocontributetobroaderregionalgoals.

Theplanprovidesaregionalstrategiclanduseframeworkforgrowthandchange.Itisastrategicdirection-settingdocumentwhichidentifieslong-termlandusesandgrowthobjectives.Itisnotatalevelwhereserviceplanningorspecificunquantifiedinfrastructurecouldbecommitted.Theplanwillguideinfrastructuredecisionsandprovidepriorityforfurtherinvestigationsofregionallysignificantinfrastructure.

Developmentproposalsforspecificsitesandrelatedprocessesarealsooutsidethescopeoftheplan.

TheplanwillprovidesolutionstocommonissuesacrossWimmeraSouthernMalleebutwillnotreduceattentiontolocalissuesorreplacelocalplanning.Forexample,theplanwillbeusedtohelpidentifyfutureindustrialandotheremploymentlocationsortodevelopconsistentregionalapproachestomatterssuchasplanningforkeyresources,waste,tourismandheritage.

Theplanwillprovidedirectionformanagingparticularactivitiesanddevelopmentinruralandurbanareas.

Economic,environmentalandsocialissuesandtrendshaveinfluencedthepreparationoftheplan.Potentialfuturechangeshavealsobeenconsidered.

3. How this plan will be usedThekeylanduseplanningdirectionsoftheplanwillbeimplementedthroughthestateplanningsystemasitisappliedbyeachcouncilintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Thiswillsupportdecision-makingatalocallevel.

Implementationwilloccurinanumberofways,suchasfurtherspecificamendmentstoplanningschemes,preparationofinfrastructureplans,landsupplymonitoringandotherprojects.

TheplanwillbeusedtoguideandinformfuturelanduseplanningworkacrosstheWimmeraSouthernMallee,includingsubsequentreviewsofeachcouncil’sMunicipalStrategicStatement.

Scott Street, Warracknabeal

4. How this plan was preparedTheplanwaspreparedinpartnershipbetweentheStateGovernmentandthemunicipalitiesofHindmarsh,Horsham,NorthernGrampians,WestWimmeraandYarriambiack(seeMap2).

KeystakeholdersinvolvedinthepreparationoftheplanincludedtheBulokeShireCouncil,WimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthority,WimmeraDevelopmentAssociationandGrampiansWimmeraMalleeWater.BulokeShireiscoveredbytheneighbouringLoddonMalleeNorthRegionalGrowthPlan.However,duetothecloserelationshipbetweenBulokeShireandtheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion,theshirewasrepresentedontheprojectsteeringcommitteeforthisplan.

Initialdevelopmentoftheplanwasundertakenthroughaseriesofissuespapers,regionalworkshopsandanalysisofinformationprovidedbyallpartners.Fromthisevidencebase,astrategicdirectionsbrochurewaspreparedforpubliccomment.Thebrochuresetoutadraftvisionandprinciplesforregionalgrowth,andpreferredfuturedirectionstoguidetheplan.ThiswasmadeavailableforcommentinAprilandMay2012,withfeedbackusedtotesttheproposedapproach.

Adraftregionalgrowthplanandbackgroundreportwerethendeveloped,buildingonthestrategicdirections.TheseweremadeavailableforpubliccommentinNovemberandDecember2012.Feedbackfromtheconsultationhasinformedthefinalregionalgrowthplanandbackgroundreport.

Map2: Wimmera Southern Mallee region

5. Components of this planPart A: Introduction–providesanoverviewofthecontextoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanandhowitwasprepared.

Part B: Regional overview –providesasnapshotoftheregion,avisionfortheregionandlanduseprinciplestoachievethevision.

Part C: Towards the regional growth plan — Regional land use framework –outlineslandusedirectionsandfutureactionsinrelationtotheeconomy,environment,urbanandruralsettlementandinfrastructure.

Part D: Regional growth plan –providesanintegratedstrategicplanforgrowthandchange,bringingtogetherthekeydirectionsoutlinedinPartC.

Part E: Delivering regional growth –outlineshowtheplanwillbeimplementedandprogressmonitored.

AbackgroundreportcontainsadditionalinformationthatwasrelieduponinthedevelopmentoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlan.ThebackgroundreportcanbeviewedattheDepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructure’swebsitewww.dtpli.vic.gov.au/regionalgrowthplans

The Grampians

Lake on Tooan-Mitre Road, Rural City of Horsham, image courtesy of Planisphere

9Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE9

6. Snapshot of the region ThissectiondescribestheWimmeraSouthernMallee’skeyeconomic,environmentalandcommunityassets.TheseareillustratedonMap4.

AccessThemainroadtransportcorridorintheregionistheWesternHighway,whichconnectsHorsham,StawellandNhillwithMelbourne(viaBallarat)andAdelaide.TheMelbourne–AdelaiderailwaygenerallyfollowstheWesternHighwayalignment,withadeviationtoMurtoabetweenStawellandHorsham.

TherearenumerousotherimportantroadandrailcorridorsincludingtheHentyHighway,whichrunsnorth–souththroughtheregionandprovidesaccesstothePortofPortlandfortheexportofbulkcommoditiessuchasgrainandmineralsands.TheWimmeraHighwayprovidesaregionaleast–westlink.

Aviationtransportisalsoimportantwithintheregion.Thereareanumberofairportswithintheregionthatserveavarietyofpurposesfromemergencymedical,fireandrescueservicestoservicingagriculturalrequirementsanddrivingnewbusinessgrowth.

Population and settlementIn2011,thepopulationoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionwas50,700.Itisprojectedtoreach51,300by2031.

HorshamistheregionalcentreoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeandprovidesawiderangeofservicestothewholeregionandadjoiningareas.LocatedontheWesternHighway,itisrelativelycentralwithin

Figure1:Projected population change by municipality

Local Government AreaTotal Population

2011 2021 2031

Hindmarsh (S) 6100 5800 5500

Horsham (RC) 20,400 21,600 22,600

Northern Grampians (S) 12,200 12,300 12,100

West Wimmera (S) 4500 4400 4200

Yarriambiack (S) 7500 7300 6900

50,700 51,400 51,300

Source: Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria in Future 2012

theregion.Anumberofsignificantsub-regionaldistricttownsservicesmallersurroundingsettlementsandlargesparselysettledareasofagriculturalhinterland.TheseincludeStawell,StArnaud,Nhill,WarracknabealandEdenhope.

Economy and employmentAgricultureisthedominantlanduse,economicdriverandemploymentsectorintheregion,predominantlycomprisingbroad-acrecroppingofcereals,pulsesandoilseedsinthecentralandnorthernpartsoftheregionandlivestockgrazinginthesouthernparts.Otherkeyemploymentsectorsarehealthcare,manufacturing,retailandconstruction.Manufacturing,tourism,transportandminingarealsoimportantelementsoftheeconomyinsomepartsoftheregion.

PART B REGIONAL OVERVIEW

This part of the plan provides a broad overview of the Wimmera Southern Mallee including what is driving growth and change, what land use challenges the region faces, and a proposed vision statement outlining a desired future for the region.

Environmental assetsTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeishighlydiverseandincludesmountains,plainsanddesertenvironmentssupportingarangeofecosystems.Theregionhasbeenheavilyclearedwithmostremainingnativevegetationlocatedonpublicland.KeyenvironmentalassetsidentifiedbytheWimmeraRegionalCatchmentStrategy(2012)includeriversandstreams,wetlands,nativevegetation,threatenedplantsandanimalsandsoils.TheGrampians,LittleDesertandWyperfeldNationalParksareimportantareasfornatureconservationand,togetherwithMountArapiles,representsignificanttouristattractions.

Facilities and services MosthigherorderservicesarelocatedinHorsham.However,theconsiderabledistancebetweensettlementsandthelargehinterlandareasofsometownsresultsinsomesmallsettlementsprovidingawiderrangeofservicesthanwouldnormallybeprovidedinsettlementsofacomparablesize.Forexample,therearepublichospitalsinStawell,Dimboola,Nhill,StArnaud,Edenhope,Warracknabeal,JeparitandRainbow.HorshamandStawellalsohaveTAFEanduniversitycampuses.

Cultural heritageCulturalheritageisanimportantpartoftheregion’sidentity.Aboriginal2peopleshavestrongrelationshipswiththeregion’sheritageandhavecustodianshipanddecision-makingroles,relatedtoheritage.RegisteredAboriginalPartieswillhaveanimportantroleinplanningplace-basedactivityanddevelopment,andtherearebenefitstoengagingwiththerelevantAboriginalcommunityorganisationsearlyinstrategicplanningprocesses.

Currently,theBarengiGadjinLandCouncilAboriginalCorporation,GunditjMirringTraditionalOwnersAboriginalCorporationandtheDjaDjaWurrungClansAboriginalCorporationhavelegislatedresponsibilitiesrelatingtothemanagementofAboriginalculturalheritageplacesintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.ThisarrangementrecognisesthekeyrolethatAboriginalpeopleshaveintheprotectionandmanagementofsignificantAboriginalculturalheritageplaces.KeyAboriginalculturalheritagesitesintheregionincludeMountArapiles,theGrampiansandEbenezerMission.

NativetitleisalsoheldoverCrownlandinasignificantportionoftheregionbytheWotjobaluk,Jaadwa,Jadawadjali,WergaiaandJapagulkPeoplesandtheDjaDjaWurrungPeoples.

Therearealsoanumberofimportanthistoricheritagebuildingsandsiteslocatedthroughouttheregion.TheseheritageplacesmakeastrongcontributiontothecharacterandamenityoftownssuchasStawellandStArnaud.

2 Throughoutthisdocumenttheterm‘Aboriginal’isusedtorefertobothAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.Useoftheterms‘Koori’,‘Koorie’and‘Indigenous’areretainedinthenamesofprogramsandinitiativesand,unlessnotedotherwise,areinclusiveofbothAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.

Surrounding regionsTheWimmeraSouthernMalleehasstronglinkswithneighbouringregionsincludingtheLimestoneCoastregionwithinSouthAustralia.Majorinfrastructurelinkstheregiontostate,nationalandinternationalnetworksviathenationalrail/freightnetworkandtheWesternHighway,whichconnectstheregiontoMelbourneandAdelaide.Map3illustratessomeofthekeycross-borderlinkages.

Theclosestlargeregionalcity,Ballarat,islocatedwithintheCentralHighlandsregiontothesouth-east.ResidentsandbusinesswithintheregionaccesssomehigherorderservicesfromBallaratandBendigointheadjoiningLoddonMalleeSouthregion.ThelargeregionalcentreofAraratislocatedarelativelyshortdistancefromthesouth-easternboundaryoftheregionandthereisastrongrelationshipbetweenAraratandStawell.

AnotherkeyrelationshipistoBulokeShire,locatedintheLoddonMalleeNorthregion.SometownsinBulokeShireuseservicesinHorshamwhiletheruraleconomyandsettlementpatternoftheshirearesimilartoitsneighboursintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.

TheGreatSouthCoastregionislocatedtothesouthandisparticularlyimportantforfreightmovement,withminingandagriculturalproduceexportedthroughthePortofPortland.TheGrampiansNationalParkisakeyregionalassetsharedbetweentheWimmeraSouthernMallee,CentralHighlandsandGreatSouthCoastregions.

TownsnearSouthAustraliahavelinkswithneighbouringcommunitiesacrosstheborder.EdenhopeandApsleyhavearelationshipwithmanyoftheirresidentsaccessingjobslocatedinNaracoorte.

McKenzie Falls, Grampians

Map3: Links to surrounding regions

Map4: Regional strategic assets

7. Drivers of change and challenges for growth

Population changeMosttownswithintheWimmeraSouthernMalleedecreasedinpopulationoverrecentdecades,althoughHorshamandHallsGapgrewmoderately.Populationlevelsappeartohavestabilisedinsometownsinrecentyears.ThekeyreasonsforlossofpopulationareoldagemortalityandresidentsmovingfromsmallersettlementsorruralareastoHorshamorotherlargertownswithbetteraccesstoservices.TheregionnowhastheoldestpopulationofanyofVictoria’sregions.Thereisanetlossofyoungpeoplefromtheregion.

Theoverallpopulationoftheregionisexpectedtoincreaseonlymoderately.Populationforecastsforthenexttwodecadesshowacontinueddecreaseinpopulationisexpectedinmostpartsoftheregion.ThistrendwillfurtherconsolidatethedominanceofHorsham,whichisalreadymorethandoublethesizeofanyothersettlementintheregion.Theregion’spopulationisexpectedtocontinuetoage(seeFigure2).

Housing and growthTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionprovidesforarangeoflifestylechoices,includingconventionalresidentialareas,lowdensityresidentialdevelopmentontheperipheryofsettlementsandruralresidentialuseswithinruralareas.

Houseandlandvaluesinsomeofthesmallersettlementsmaybetoolowtoencourageinvestmentinconstructionofnewhousingorrefurbishmentofexistinghouses.Lackofsuitablehousinghasbeenidentifiedasapotentialconstrainttoattractingnewresidentstosomesettlementsandrentalaccommodationissometimesscarceorofpoorquality.

Thereisalsoamismatchbetweenthenatureofthehousingstock,predominantlydetachedfamilyhomes,andtherequirementsofolderresidents,whooftenlivealoneorascouples.

r olde

Age Groups

Figure2: Projected changes to the population of the region 2011–2031

Relationships between settlementsTherearestrongrelationshipsandinterdependenciesbetweensettlementswithintheregionandwithsettlementsinotherregions.Thesegroupsofsettlementsareknownas‘communitiesofinterest’(seeinsetboxbelow).Smallersettlementsoftenrelyonlargersettlementsforhigherorderhealthandeducationservicesandmajorshoppingneeds.However,therelativelyremotenatureoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionmeansthatsmallsettlementsaremoreself-sufficientthansimilar-sizedcommunitiesclosertoMelbourneorotherregionalcities.Theavailabilityofservicesandfacilitieshasimplicationsfortheirliveabilityandpotentialtoattractnewpeople.

What are communities of interest?Acommunityofinterestisagroupofsettlementswithstrongsocialandeconomicinterrelationships.Residentswillregularlyaccessservicesandjobsinnearbytownsandsomeservicesandfacilitiesmaybesharedbetweenthetownsinthecommunityofinterest.

AnumberofthelandusestrategiesinthisplanrefertotheWimmeraSouthernMallee’scommunitiesofinterest.Theplanidentifiesthereareanumberofsub-regionalgroupsofsettlementsintheregionwithstronginterrelationships,usuallybasedaroundonemajortownwhichactsasahubforservicesandfacilities.MoredetailsaboutthesecanbefoundinSection12.

Transport and infrastructure TheWimmeraSouthernMalleefacesanumberoftransportandinfrastructurechallenges.Thereisincreaseddemandforthemovementoffreightwithintheregionparticularlyforbulkcommoditiessuchasgrain.Bothroadandrailareimportantforthemovementoffreightinandoutoftheregion.

Thereareanumberofchallengesfortransportservicesthroughouttheregion,includingdecliningpopulationsinmanyareasandsignificantdistancesbetweenrelativelysmallsettlements.Dispersedsettlementsandrelianceonprivatetransportmaketheregionvulnerabletoarangeofissuessuchasrisingenergyprices,socialisolationandreducedaccesstoemployment.

Utilitiesintheregionpresentpotentialconstraintstogrowth,inparticulartothosesettlementswithsomeservices.Reticulatedgas,forexample,isonlyavailableinHorshamandStawell.TheWimmeraMalleePipelineconstitutesasignificantinvestmentinupgradingwatersupplytotownsandruralareasandpresentsopportunitiesforintensiveagriculturethroughimprovedwatersecurity.

Accesstotelecommunicationsisimportanttobetterconnectservicesandattractbusinesswithintheregion.TheNationalBroadbandNetworkprojectprovidesanopportunitytoimprovetheconnectivityoftheregionforbusinessandserviceprovision.

Protecting and enhancing the environmentTheenvironmentalassetsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeareconsiderableandhighlyvaluedbythecommunity.Neverthelessmanyecosystemshavebeensignificantlydegraded.Opportunitiestoconnectfragmentedhabitatswillbeimportanttohelprestoreenvironmentalhealthandenhancelandscapes.Thehealthofthenaturalenvironmentiscriticalforunderpinningtheregion’seconomicprosperityincludingagricultureandtourism.

Education and skillsLabourshortagesandlackofappropriateskillsaremajorchallengesforsomesectorsofthelocaleconomy.Theseproblemsarecompoundedbytheagestructureoftheworkforce.Youngpeopleoftenleavetheregiontoundertaketertiarystudies,withmanyleavingtheregionpermanently.Skillsdeficitsaremostpronouncedinthoseareasoftheeconomythathavecontinuedtogrow,includinghealthandcommunityservices.

Climate change and extreme eventsTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeeconomyisdominatedbyagriculture,whichishighlydependentonfavourableclimaticconditions.Manypartsoftheregion,includingthosemostattractivetoresidentsandvisitors,aresusceptibletonaturalhazardssuchasfloodandbushfire.Futureclimatechangepredictionssuggesttheregionmayexperienceanincreasedfrequencyofdroughtandthatbushfireandhighrainfallevents(thatresultinflooding)maybemoresevere.Suchchangeshavesignificantenvironmental,economicandsocialimplications.Carefulmanagementofnewlanduseanddevelopmentisrequiredtominimiserisktolifeandpropertyandtoensurethatenvironmentalassetsarenotcompromisedbyinappropriatedevelopment.

Diversity of the regional economyTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeeconomyistheleastdiversifiedinregionalVictoria,duetothedominanceoftheagriculturalsectorandactivitiesdependentonit,suchastransport.Agriculturewillremainthemostimportantpartoftheregionaleconomybutthereisaneedtosupportdiversification,whichmayincludeneweconomicsectorsaswellasanexpandedcommoditymix,toreducerelianceontraditionalagricultureandexposuretoexternalfactors.Theregion’sagriculturalcapabilitieswillpositiontheregiontoincreaseanddiversifyitsvalue-addprocessingofagriculturalcommoditiesbasedonaccesstoresearchanddevelopmentcapabilitiesandinfrastructure.Innovationandimprovedconnectionstomarketswillalsoincreaseproductivity.

Otherpotentialfuturegrowthindustriesincludefoodprocessing,mining,engineeringandmanufacturing,renewableenergyandtourism.

Halls Gap, Northern Grampians Shire, image courtesy of Robert Blackburn

8. Vision for the regionThefollowingvisionfortheWimmeraSouthernMalleedescribestheregionin2041.Thestrategiesandactionssetoutintheplanwillhelpachievethisvision.

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeisaprosperousregionwhichusesitsnaturaladvantagesofahealthyenvironment,extensivespacesandarangeofurbanandrurallifestyleopportunitiestoattractmoreresidents,businessesandvisitors.

Increasedprimaryproductionremainsanimportantfocusoftheregion,butamorediverseandinnovativeeconomy,includingnewagriculturalcommodities,industry,tourism,researchandeducationmeansthecommunitycanadapttochangingeconomicandenvironmentalconditions.

Theenvironmentisprotectedandenhancedbysustainablecommunitiesandindustry.

Peoplecanchoosefromavarietyofplacestolivethroughouttheregiontosuitdifferentlifestyles,withanetworkofsmallandlargetownsprovidinghubstoaccesscommunityactivityandservices.

GoodtransportconnectionsareprovidedwithinandbeyondtheregiontofacilitiesandmarketstoimprovethecompetitiveadvantageoflivingandworkingintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.

9. Principles to achieve the visionThefollowingprinciplesforgrowthhavebeendevelopedtoguideimplementationoftheplan:

1. Growthshouldbeencouragedthroughouttheregiontocreateanetworkofintegratedandprosperoussettlements

2. Keycentresshouldbeafocustomanagepopulationchangeandaccesstoservices

3. Ecologicalhealthandrurallandscapesshouldbeenhanced

4. Keyagriculturalresourcesshouldbeprotected,productivitymaintained,andthedevelopmentofindustrysupported

5. Theregion’sassetsshouldbeusedtofacilitatethediversificationoftheeconomyandensurearesilientcommunity

6. Planningshouldsupportadaptationtochangesinclimate

7. Thedevelopmentofdistinctsettlementsshouldbesupportedtocreatehealthy,attractiveandliveablecommunities

8. Opportunitiesforgrowthshouldbeidentifiedtofacilitateappropriatelocaldevelopment

9. Infrastructurerequiredtosupportgrowthshouldbeidentified

�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN

Olive harvest, The Grampians

Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE 1919

10. Economic development

10.1 OverviewTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeeconomywillcontinuetobedominatedbytheagriculturalsector,withbroadacrecroppingandgrazingthemostwidespreadlanduses.Theregionisofnationalsignificanceintermsofcereal,pulseandoilseedproduction.Nicheagriculturalusesintheregionincludehorticulture,viticulture,piggeriesandintensivepoultryfarms.

Theproductivityoftheagriculturalsectorishigh,andisakeystrengthofthelocaleconomy.Theregionischaracterisedbylargeconsolidatedfarmswhicharehighlyefficientandgloballycompetitive.However,thedominanceoftheagriculturalsectorresultsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleehavingtheleastdiversifiedeconomyinregionalVictoria.Externalfactorssuchasclimate,globalcommoditypricesandtheexchangeratecanposethreatstostableeconomicgrowth.Externalfactorsalsopresentopportunitiesfortheregionsuchasincreasedglobalfooddemand.Growthofthissectorisconsistentwiththegovernment’sobjectivetodoublethestate’sfoodandfibreproductionby2030.

MostoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee’ssettlementsarehighlydependentonagricultureandhaveamajorroleinprovidingservicestofarmingcommunitiesandformingpartoftheagribusinesssupplychain.Settlementsalsoprovidecommercialservicesandareimportantforeconomicself-sufficiencyandcontributingtotheliveabilityoftheregion.

Manufacturingisgenerallyunder-representedintheregion’seconomy(exceptintheNorthernGrampiansShire)andisdominatedbyfoodproductmanufacturing,includingpoultryandothermeatprocessing.TheregionattractsindustrythroughitscompetitivestrengthswhichincludeitslocationattheheartofVictoria’sgrainproduction,itsintegratedagribusinesssupplychainsandgoodaccessibilitytosouth-eastAustralianpopulationcentres.

Infrastructureisimportanttosupport,facilitateandencouragediversificationofagricultureandtoprovideopportunitiestoaddvaluetoagriculturalproducts.TheWimmeraMalleePipelineisanexcellentexampleofenablinginfrastructure,providingmorereliableandhigherqualitywatertomanyruralareasandallowingincreasedwaterallocationstosupporteconomicdevelopment.

ThetourismsectorisanimportantpartoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee’seconomyandisfocusedontheregion’senvironmentalassets,includingnationalparks,waterwaysandlakes.Theseplacesattractlargenumbersoftouristsforpredominantlynature-basedactivities.Winetourismisalsosignificantintheregion’ssouth-east.

Therearesignificantdepositsofmineralswithintheregion,includinggoldmininginNorthernGrampiansShireandmineralsandsinthewesternandnorthernpartsoftheregion.

Thelargestsectorsoftheeconomyby2031intermsofoutputareprojectedtobeagriculture,healthcare,mining,constructionandmanufacturing.Growthisexpectedacrossawiderangeofsectors.

TOWARDS THE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN— REGIONAL LAND USE FRAMEWORK

PART C

10.2 Rural land use

Future directions

• Support and protect agriculture as the key rural land use and driver of the regional economy

• Encourage diversification and value adding to agricultural production

• Develop clusters of economic activity based on locational advantages and infrastructure

• Provide opportunities for uses and infrastructure in rural areas which can take advantage of the region’s sparse population and large buffer distances to minimise land use conflicts

TheWimmeraSouthernMallee’sprosperityandidentityarecloselylinkedtoitsruralareasandagriculture.

Thisplanencouragesdiversificationofrurallandusesandtheruraleconomyasacentralstrategicdirection.However,thisshouldnotbeattheexpenseofagriculture,whichisalanduseofstatewideandnationalimportance.Opportunitiesexistforfurthervalueaddingtoagriculturalcommodities.KeyspatialopportunitiesinrelationtorurallanduseareshownonMap5.

Diversificationoftheruraleconomyiscloselylinkedtoothersettlementandcommunityissuesconsideredbythisplan.Iftheregioncannotattracttherightworkers,thismayconstrainitsabilitytocapitaliseonopportunities.Urbansettlementsneedtoprovideattractiveandliveablecommunitieswithgoodaccesstoservicestohelpattractamorediverseskillsbasetotheregion.

AreasclosetotheWimmeraMalleePipelinehavethemostpotentialforagriculturaldiversificationintheregion.Thepipelinegenerallyrunsinanorth-southdirection,whichcorrespondswithmanyofthemajortransportroutes.Thiscombinationofsecurewaterandgoodtransportinfrastructureisanimportantcharacteristicthatshouldbeleveragedforbroadereconomicgrowth.

Encouragingindustryclustersthatbuildonregionalstrengthswillaidinvestmentandcreateexpansionincertainsectors.Theseopportunitiesincludeapiggeryandpoultryclustertotheeastoftheregionandagrainproductionclustertothenorthandwest.Inaddition,thenewWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalnorth-eastofHorshamprovidesanexcellentopportunitytofocusgrain-relatedindustryandassociatedvalueaddingbyprovidingatransportandlogisticsgatewaytoaccessexternalmarkets.

Tourism,miningandrenewableenergygenerationareindustriesthatofferpotentialdiversificationopportunitiesandmaybelocatedinruralareas,complementingagriculturalgrowthanddiversification.

Thelowpopulationdensityofruralareas,particularlyinthenorthandwestoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion,isakeyassetintermsofattractinguseswithpotentialoff-siteimpactsthatneedmanagementthroughbuffersfrommoresensitiveuses.

Incontrast,thesouth-easterntrianglebetweenHallsGap,StawellandAraratcomprisesamorecomplexmixofagricultural,environmentalandtourismassets,aswellasnotableareasofruralliving.Theplanseekstoprotecttheagriculturalbaseofthisarea,whileensuringhousingandnewtourismactivitiescanbedevelopedinharmonywithagricultureandtheenvironment.

� TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN��|��PART�C

Landuseplanningneedstoprotectagriculturalproduction,growthanddiversificationfromconflictinguses.Useswhichfacilitatediversificationofrurallanduseshouldbeencouragedwherethey:

• buildonexistinginfrastructure

• haveclosesynergieswithnearbyusesorassets

• donotcompromisetheregion’sagriculturalsignificance

• aresupportedbylocalplanningpolicyandothercontrolstomanagepotentiallanduseconflicts.

Localgovernmentsshouldadoptaconsistentapproachtorurallanduseplanningtomaximiseopportunitiesrelatedtoregional-scaleassets.

Land use policies, strategies and actions

• Encourageplanningschemestoreflectcontemporaryapproachestorurallanduseplanningsuchasadaptingtoclimatechange,avoidingpotentialconflictswithnon-agriculturaluses,matchinglandusetolandcapabilityandprotectingenvironmentalassets

• Updateplanningschemestosupportandmanagediversificationthroughpolicyandplanningschemeprovisions,reflectingrurallanduseopportunities,includingbutnotlimitedto,thoseindicativeareasshownonMap5

• Providesufficientlandtosupportthedevelopmentoftheruralindustryandclustersofeconomicactivity

• ProvideaconsistentapproachtorurallandusepolicyandplanningschemeprovisionsacrosstheNorthernGrampiansandAraratplanningschemesinkeepingwiththerecommendationsoftheruralzonesreviewfortheHallsGap-Ararat-Stawelltriangle,tosupportagriculture,encouragecomplementarytourismandprotectenvironmentalassets

Grain farming, Yarriambiack Shire

Map5: Rural land use - some potential strategic opportunities

Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure Note: this map is indicative only and is not intended to prescribe the location of diversification opportunities

10.3 Agriculture

Future directions

• Support agriculture and protect its long-term growth from inappropriate urban development and land use change

• Encourage synergies between agricultural outputs and complementary local industries

• Encourage the provision of infrastructure to support diversification and transition of agricultural activities over time

AgriculturalproductivityiscriticalfortheWimmeraSouthernMallee’seconomicprosperity.Landuseplanningplaysanimportantroleinensuringthatagriculturalactivitiesandfarmers’‘righttofarm’aresafeguarded.ThisshouldincludelimitingdwellingsintheFarmingZoneunlesstheyareassociatedwithfarmingactivities.

ThegrowthofHorshamandtheothermajortownswillrequiretheconversionofsomerurallandbutplanningwillseektominimiseadverseeffectsonruralproduction.Planningschemesmayalsoprovidethatarangeofothereconomicactivitiesmayoccurinconjunctionwithagriculture,suchasthediversificationopportunitiesshownonMap5.Identifyingthemostsignificantagriculturallandintheregion,intermsofcontributiontostateandnationaleconomies,mayleadtodesignationofregionalpriorityproductionareasthatrequirespecificsupportinplanningschemes.

ThereareopportunitiestovalueaddtotheagriculturalproductscurrentlyexportedfromtheWimmeraSouthernMalleesuchasraisinglivestockfedonlocalgrain,includingpoultryfarmingandlambandbeeffeedlots.Otheropportunitiestobuildonlocalstrengthsincludeagriculturalresearchanddevelopment,processingagriculturalproduceandusingagriculturalwasteforbioenergy.

GoodopportunitiesforgrowthinintensiveagricultureexistacrosstheregionbutHorshamandNorthernGrampiansareparticularlywellsuitedforfurtherexpansionduetotheirexistinginfrastructure.

Keyfavourablecharacteristicsoftheseareasinclude:

• lowpopulationdensityandcloseproximitytograinproductionareas

• HorshamandStArnaudhaveestablishedfeedmillsthatcaneasilydeliverfeedtotheregion

• StawellandWycheproofcontainmeatprocessingcentres

• pipednaturalgasisavailabletosomepartsofthesemunicipalities

• theWesternandSunraysiahighwaysprovidekeytransportroutestoexportmarkets

• upgradeoftheraillinebetweenDimboolaandRainbow

• qualityandsecurityofwatersupplyisprovidedbytheWimmeraMalleePipeline.

Theseareasarewellsuitedtomediumandlargepiggeriesandbroilerfarms.SufficientlandandinfrastructurewillberequiredintownslikeStArnaudtocaterforrelatedtransport,logisticsandindustryfunctionsassociatedwithgrowthofintensiveagriculturalproduction.Nhillcouldbeagoodlocationtoclusterintensivepoultryraising,giventheexistingduckindustrynearthetown.

TheWestWimmeraandpartsofHindmarshandYarriambiackwithinthereachoftheWimmeraMalleePipelinearesuitableforusessuchasmedium-tolarge-scalelambandcattlefeedlotdevelopment.Theseuseswouldbenefitfromthearea’saccesstograin,itssparsepopulationandreliablewatersupply.

OverthepastdecadescroppinghasexpandedinthesouthernpartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeandprojectedchangesinclimatearelikelytoconsolidatethistrend.Changestotheregion’sclimateandagriculturaloutputpresentchallengesandopportunitiesthatwillneedtobemanagedtosupportadaptationandbuildresilienceintheregionaleconomy.Examplesofadaptationresponsesincludeprovidinginfrastructurewhichrecognisesthedifferentneedsofcroppingandgrazingandreducingtheeffectsofagriculturalpracticesontheregion’senvironmentalassets,particularlythepressuresofcroppingonremnantvegetationandwetlands.Diversificationinagriculturemayalsoresultfromthenationalactiontoreducegreenhousegasemissions,suchasthroughtheCarbonFarmingInitiative.

Landuseplanningshouldprovidesufficientflexibilitytoallowforchangestoagriculturalproductionandsupportfordiversificationofthelocaleconomy.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Providesupportanddirectiononappropriatelocationsforthe

establishmentofintensiveagriculturalactivities,includingtheareasidentifiedinthisplan

• Undertakefurtherinvestigationstodeterminewhetherthereisstrategicallyimportantagriculturallandthatrequiresprotectionfromencroachmentbyurbanorotherincompatibleuses

• Facilitatedifferenttypesofagriculturalactivitiesovertime,encourageandfacilitateagriculturaldiversificationandvalueadding,andprovideappropriateandtimelyinfrastructuretorealisetheseopportunities

• Encouragehousingintotowns,tosupportsustainableruralcommunitiesandprotectareasofhighagriculturalproductivityandlandnearregionallysignificantagriculturaloperations

• Undertakefurtherworktodevelopcriteriafordeterminingwhetherlandusechangetoamixofagriculturalandotherusesisappropriateinagriculturalareas

• Protectandmanageenvironmentalassetsascroppingexpands

inthesouthernpartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee

10.4 IndustryFuture directions

• Support industry growth in the Wimmera Southern Mallee

• Identify opportunities for siting value-add industries associated with agriculture and new opportunities based on the competitive strengths of the region

• Address infrastructure deficiencies where they constrain the expansion or establishment of industry

• Support the provision of an adequate supply of serviced industrial land in each community of interest

Foodproducts,includingmeatprocessing,arethedominantmanufacturingoutputsoftheregion.Othermanufacturingincludesagriculturalmachineryandequipment,metalfabrication,wineproductionandtransportequipment.

Thisplanproposesthreestrategicapproachesinrelationtoindustry:

1. Encourage strategic opportunities for new industryNewindustryfortheregionislikelytobuildonexistingassetsandadvantages,althoughopportunitiesfordiversificationwillbeencouraged.Opportunitiesinclude:

• moreprocessingoftheregion’sagriculturalproduce

• developingrenewableenergyprojectsthatuselocalenergysourcessuchasagriculturalorwasteproducts

• clusteringagriculturalfunctionssuchasintensivepoultryfarmsaroundStArnaudorviticultureneartheGrampians,ensuringthatappropriateskills,infrastructureandtransportareavailable

• takingadvantageofexistingassetsaroundHorsham,includingitssupplyofindustriallandandtransportaccessthroughtheWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminal,tofocusgrainprocessingoperationsandtransportandlogisticsindustries.

Otheropportunitiesforindustrymayalsoexist.Infrastructuresuchastransport,telecommunicationsandinformationtechnologywillbeneededtosupportgrowthopportunities.

2. Provide industrial land around the regionPlanningschemesshouldsupporttheestablishmentofindustry.Appropriateplanningprovisionsshouldbeinplacetoprotectindustry,futureindustrialgrowthareasandkeyinfrastructurefromencroachmentbyincompatiblelanduses.Adequatelandwillneedtobeprovidedtosupportthegrowthoftheeconomyinavarietyoflocationstomaximiseproductivitythroughaccesstocustomers,suppliers,labourmarketsandfreightroutes.

SometownsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleehavealimitedsupplyofindustrialland(seediscussioninSection12).Appropriatenewareasshouldbeidentifiedandrezonedasrequired.Itiscriticalthatindustriallandisavailableinallpartsoftheregiontosupportlocalemploymentopportunities,particularlyindistricttowns.Newindustriallandshouldbelocatedwhereitwillminimiselanduseconflictsandhavegoodaccesstotheregion’stransportroutes,inparticularthearterialroadnetwork.

3. Make towns highly liveable to attract and retain a workforceThereneedstobeanintegratedapproachtothedevelopmentofindustryandbroaderplanningfortownsandcommunities.Inordertoretainandattractaskilledworkforce,townsmustbeattractiveplacestolive.Thisincludesensuringadequatehousingsupply,providinggoodservicesandfacilities,andmaintaininglocalcharacterandamenity.

• Encourageindustrytobeseparatedfromsensitiveuses

• Supportindustrygrowthindesignatedlocationsthroughplanningschemes

• Undertakeregularreviewsofthedemandfor,andsupplyof,industriallandacrossdifferenteconomicsectorsandrespondtothefindingsbyprovidingadditionalindustriallandinappropriatelocations

• Supporttheprovisionofappropriateandtimelyinfrastructuretohelpexpandexistingindustriesandestablishnewindustries

10.5 Energy

Future directions

• Helpdiversifythelocaleconomybygeneratingenergylocallyfromarangeofrenewablesources

RenewableenergysourcesintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeincludewind,solar,geothermalandbioenergy.Theregionhasanumberofcompetitiveadvantagesincludingitslowpopulationdensity,solaraccessandreadyfuelsourcesforsomeformsofenergygeneration.Thefinancialviabilityoflocalenergyproductionwillimproveinacarbon-constrainedeconomy.

Mostopportunitiesrelatetosmall-tomedium-sizedpowergeneration.TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeInfrastructureStudy(2012)foundmosttownsintheregionarecapableofsupportingsmall-scalerenewableenergygeneratorssuchassolararraysorwindfarms.Thenorthernpartsoftheregionhaveexcellentpotentialforsolarenergygeneration.

Bioenergyhaspotentialwithintheregionduetotheavailabilityofagriculturalwaste.Ithastheaddedadvantageofconvertingwasteintoanincome-generatingasset.

TheWimmeraBioenergyResourceAudit(2011)identifiednumerousopportunitiesformedium-sizedenergygenerationinproximitytoclustersofbioenergysourcessuchasintensivelivestockoperations,grainmillingandlandfill(seeMap6forclusterlocations).Locationalrequirementsforpowergenerationintheregioninclude:proximitytotheenergysourceandtopartsoftheelectricitygridwithsparecapacity;theabilitytocreatebufferstosensitivelanduses;andgoodaccesstotransportinfrastructurewherethefuelneedstobetransportedtothegenerator.

Opportunitiesforwindgenerationmayexistgiventhesparsepopulationdistributioninruralareas.However,turbinesshouldbelocatedtominimisetheimpactonimportantidentifiedlandscapesandresidentialuses.

• Providefortheexpansionofenergysupplyinfrastructurewhereitisfeasibleandwouldsupporttheestablishmentofnewindustryortheexpansionofexistingindustry

• Encouragelocalenergygenerationtohelpdiversifythelocaleconomyandimprovesustainabilityoutcomes

• Supportthedevelopmentofenergyfacilitiesbutensuretheyarelocatedtominimiseconflictswithidentifiedenvironmentalassets,residentialareasandthetransportnetwork

Map6: Strategic energy opportunities

10.6 Earth resources Future directions

• Protect significant earth resources from incompatible land use and development

• Identify the potential social, economic and environmental effects of earth resources projects and plan and manage projects to maximise benefits and reduce adverse impacts

Majorearthresourcesprojectscancontributesignificantlytoeconomicdevelopmentandhelptodiversifytheeconomy.

Whilethissectorprovidesdirectemploymentforonlytwopercentoftheregionalworkforce,theflow-oneffectismuchhigherduetojobscreatedinassociatedindustriessuchasearthmovingandtransport.Employmentforecastsfortheregionestimatethatminingemploymentwilldoubleoverthenext25years.

Extractiveindustryinterestareasoccurwithintheregion,whichcontainareasofknownfutureinteresttotheextractivemineralsindustry,forexample,sandandstone.Areasarebasedonsuitablegeologicaloccurrenceandalsotakeintoaccountexistinglocalgovernmentplanningschemes.Theyareintendedtoprovideaguidetolocalgovernmentindevelopingfutureplanningpolicy.InresponsetotheEconomicDevelopmentandInfrastructureCommittee’sInquiry into greenfields mineral exploration and project development in Victoria,theVictorianGovernmenthascommittedtovariousactivitiesthatwillundertakefurtherdatagatheringandplanningtobetterprotectthestate’sextractiveresourcesforfuturedevelopment.Theoutcomesoftheseactivitiesmayhaveimplicationsforfutureplanningprovisions.ExtractiveindustryinterestareaslocatedintheregionareshownonMap5oftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanBackgroundReport.

Provisionoftransportandenergyinfrastructureiscriticaltoenableearthresourcesprojectstoproceed,particularlytotransportrawmaterialstoprocessingfacilitiesandexportports.Earthresourcesprojectscanplacesignificantdemandsoninfrastructure,suchastheimpactonarterialroadsfromtransportingofheavyearthresourcematerialsandequipment.Improveduseofrailtransportisencouraged,suchastherecentinitiativetotransportmineralssandsconcentratesbyrailfromHopetountoHamilton,andtheconstructionoftheWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalatDooen.

Earthresourcesprojectscanhavesignificantenvironmental,economicandsocialbenefitsorimpacts.Theyneedtobecarefullymanagedtomaximisethebenefitsandminimiseadverseimpacts.

Theintroductionofsensitivelanduses,includingurbanresidentialgrowthandruralliving,inproximitytoearthresources(especiallyquarries)canconstrainfutureextractionofresourcesdependingonmethodsused.

PlanningschemesintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeneedtoprotectsignificantearthresourcesfromincompatibledevelopmentorlanduses,particularlyextractiveindustriesandtwosignificantmineralssandsdepositsnearHorshamandDonald.Thesedepositsmayeachprovideanopportunityformorethan20yearsoforeextractionandprocessing.Thereforelandusesinproximitytotheseareasshouldbecarefullymanaged.Methodsformanagingtheenvironmentalandtransportimpactsofthesefutureminesneedtobedeveloped.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Identify,manageandfacilitateaccesstolocallysourcednatural

resourceswhereappropriate,includingsandandstone,andminerals

• Avoidurbangrowthandrurallivinginareasofvaluableearthresources

• Identifyhousing,transportandinfrastructureneedsassociatedwithminingatmineralsanddepositsnearHorshamandDonaldandplantomanageanyimpactsinadvanceofthecommencementofmining

10.7 Tourism

Future directions

• Encourage the development of the tourism sector by building on strengths around environment and heritage assets and agriculture

• Direct larger scale tourism activities into existing settlements where infrastructure is capable of supporting development

• Encourage smaller boutique tourism activities in rural areas where they are compatible with farming activities

• Support infrastructure investment where it will maximise benefits to tourism

• Protect and enhance the features of the region that attract tourists

• Enhance Halls Gap and the Grampians National Park as a tourism focal point for the region

Thisplansupportsanapproachtoregionaltourismplanningwhichcapitalisesonstrengths,includingnature-basedtourism,theGrampiansNationalPark,agriculture,wineandculturalheritage.Specificopportunitiestoexpandtherangeoftouristexperiencesofferedintheregioninvolveenhancingless-visitedassetssuchasthedesertparksandlargelakes.Improvedenvironmentalflowstowaterwaysandwetlands,asaresultoftheregion’senhancedwatersecurity,willhavebenefitsforthetourismindustry.Regionaltourismbodieshaveidentifiedtheneedforinfrastructureinvestmenttosupporttourismfacilitiesintheregion.ThisisparticularlythecaseforrelativelyuntappednaturalresourcesaroundLakeHindmarsh,LakeAlbacutyaandtheWyperfeldandLittleDesertnationalparks.

Landuseplanningcanhelpaddressconstraintstotourismexpansion,including:

• lackofaccommodation

• lackofavailablelandfortourismdevelopmentincertainlocations

• preventingdevelopmentinlocationswithunacceptableexposuretonaturalhazardssuchasbushfiresandflooding.

Planningpolicyshouldrecognisetheroleoftourisminsupportingtheregion’seconomyandtheneedforlanduseplanningtofacilitatetourismdevelopmentwhereitiscompatiblewithenvironmentalandculturalassetsandvaluesanddoesnotimpactonfarmingpractices.Accessibilityfromnearbytownsandthearterialroadnetworkshouldalsobeakeyconsiderationinplanningnewtourisminfrastructure.

Grampians National Park and Halls GapTheGrampiansNationalParkisthemostsignificanttouristdrawcardintheregion,withthenorthernpartsoftheparklocatedintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.

HallsGapprovidesafocalpointforvisitorstotheGrampiansNationalParkandislocatedinanenvironmentallysensitivesettingadjoiningthepark.WhileHallsGapprovidesthegreatestconcentrationofaccommodationandcommercialservicesforvisitors,itissubjecttonaturalhazardssuchasfloodingandbushfire.

LanduseplanningshouldrecogniseHallsGap’sprimaryroletosupportthetourismindustry.ThereforeitispreferredthatgeneralresidentialdevelopmentisdirectedtootherestablishedsettlementsintheStawell-Ararat-HallsGaptriangle.

NewdevelopmentinHallsGapneedstobeundertakeninanenvironmentallysensitivemannerinkeepingwiththeenvironmentalandculturalvaluesofitssetting.Developmentmustensurebushfirehazardsaremanagedtoanacceptableleveltoprotectlifeandproperty.

AreviewofplanningprovisionsapplyingtoHallsGapandtolandinproximitytothepark,withreferencetothefindingsoftheStawell-Ararat-HallsGapruralzonesreview,isnecessarysothatappropriatecontrolsandguidanceareinplacetoprotectenvironmentalandculturalvalues.

Opportunitiestoenhancetouristfacilitiesandactivitiessurroundingthepark,throughpublicandprivateinvestment,willbesupported.Opportunitiesincludeactivitiescomplementarytonature-basedtourism,conferencefacilitiesandhigherendtouristaccommodation.ProjectssuchasaproposedtouristroutearoundtheGrampiansNationalPark(theGrampiansWayRingRoad)andwalkingtrailthroughtheNationalPark(GrampiansPeaksTrail)wouldhelppromoteincreaseddispersalofvisitationwithintheregion.

NearbyareascanalsorefineanddeveloptheirtourismproducttocomplementtheGrampians.Forexample,theWartookValleymayprovideopportunitiesonthenorthernsideoftheGrampianswhilethefuturehighwaybypassofGreatWesternprovidesthechancetoenhancethetown’scharacteranditsidentityasacentreforwinetourism.

• Guideinfrastructureinvestmenttosupporttourismwhereopportunitieshavebeenidentified

• Providesupportinplanningschemesforadiverserangeoftourismdevelopmentonprivateland,particularlyindesignatedlocationswheretheywill:

• haveaccesstosettlements,transportinfrastructureandotherservices

• becompatiblewithenvironmentalandculturalassetsandvalues

• linkwithnearbyenvironmentalassets

• notbeexposedtounacceptablebushfirerisk

• operateinconjunctionwithagriculturalactivitiesandbelocatedawayfromintensiveagricultureandmining

• EncourageplanningschemestorecogniseandprotectregionallysignificantnaturalattractionssuchastheGrampians,LittleDesertandWyperfeldnationalparks

• Encourageresidentialgrowthnottobedirectedtoareaswheretourismdevelopmentsshouldbegivenpriority,tosupportthelocaleconomy

• EncouragefurtherdevelopmentoftourismrelatedtothewineindustryatGreatWesternandnature-basedtourismaroundkeyattractionssuchastheGrampiansNationalPark,LittleDesertNationalPark,majorlakesandculturalheritagesites

• ImplementthefindingsoftheStawell-Ararat-HallsGapruralzonesreview(jointlypreparedbyAraratRuralCityCouncilandNorthernGrampiansShireCouncil)toprovideopportunitiesforuseswhichwillcomplementthetourismofferofthisarea

10.8 Commercial activity

Future directions

• Support commercial activity within the Wimmera Southern Mallee’s towns and key settlements to encourage economic self-sufficiency and ensure access to services

• Support the regional role of Horsham central activities district to provide higher order commercial services to the region

• Support new commercial development which reinforces the commercial primacy of town centres

Commercialservices,includingretail,officeandentertainment,makeanimportantcontributiontotheliveabilityoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.Theyalsosupporteconomicself-sufficiencyandareacriticalsourceofemployment.

Thecommercialservicesofferedineachsettlementprovideforlocalneedswhilelargertownsalsoprovideservicestoanetworkofnearbycommunities.

ThenotableexceptiontothispatternisHorsham,whichprovidesarangeofhigherordercommercialservicestothewholeregion.Horsham’svibrantcentralactivitiesdistrictisthemainbusinessandemploymentlocationwithintheregion.In2011itprovided8811jobsoraroundhalfofthejobsintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.

Landuseplanningplaysanimportantroleinensuringthatsufficientlandiszonedforcommercialusesandisappropriatelylocatedineachtown.Thisplansupportstheprovisionofkeyshoppingandcommercialservicesineachcommunityofinterest,particularlyindistricttowns,toenableaccesstogoodsandservices.

AllsignificantretaildevelopmentintheWimmeraSouthernMalleehasbeensuccessfullyguidedtothecoreofeachcentrewithnonotableout-of-centreretailactivity.Majorcommercialdevelopmentshouldcontinuetobedirectedtoexistingtowncentrestoconsolidatetheireconomicroleandensureinvestmentinthepublicrealmorotherinfrastructurecanbeefficientlytargetedtowardstheselocations.

SomebulkygoodsretailingisprovidedalongmajorroadsinbothHorshamandStawell.Thisisexpectedtoretainitslimitedroleandshouldnotreplacetowncentresasthekeyretailfocusofthesesettlements.

FurtherdevelopmentofretailandofficefloorspaceisencouragedintheHorshamcentralactivitiesdistrict,particularlyprojectsofregionalsignificance.TheHorshamRuralCityCouncilhascommissionedacentralactivitiesdistrictstrategy,whichisexaminingthefutureofthecommercialcentreinmoredetail.

• Encouragecommercialservicestobeprovidedtotownscommensuratewiththeirroleintheregionalsettlementnetwork

• Supportcommerciallandusesindesignatedlocationsthroughpolicydirectionandbyprovidingsufficient,appropriatelyzonedland,inplanningschemes

• Supporttheconsolidationofprimecommercialactivitieswithintowncentres

• Undertakeregularreviewsofthedemandfor,andsupplyof,businesslandandrespondtothefindingsbyprovidingadditionalcommerciallandinappropriatelocations

• ImplementtherecommendationsoftheHorshamcentralactivitiesdistrictstrategy

11. Environment and heritage

11.1 Overview ThehighlydiverselandscapesoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionincludemountains,plains,wetlandsanddeserts.Theclimatevariesfromtemperateinthesouthtosemi-aridinthenorth,withmuchoftheregionlackingreliablerainfall.Fourteenwetlandsofnationalimportancearelocatedintheregion.TheregionisalsohometotheWimmeraRiver,thelargestriverinVictoriathatdoesnotflowtothesea.Instead,itflowsintoLakeHindmarsh,Victoria’slargestfreshwaterlake.ThislakeisalsolinkedtoanothersignificantRamsarsite,LakeAlbacutya,andchainsofwetlandsleadingintotheMallee.

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeincludesextensivepubliclandholdingswithhighbiodiversityvaluesincludingtheGrampians,WyperfeldandLittleDesertNationalParksandtheBigDesertWildernessPark.Thesepresentamajoropportunityforencouragingincreasedtourism.

Theplanrecognisestheneedtomaintainahealthyandresilientenvironment,whichwillbeachievedby:

• sustainablemanagementanduseofwaterresources

• effectivenaturalresourcemanagementandsustainableagriculturalpractices

• improvedknowledgeof,andadaptationto,thepotentialimpactsofachangingclimate

• well-informedcommunities.

TheWimmera,Mallee,NorthCentralandGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthoritiescoordinateinvestmentintheprotectionandenhancementofenvironmentalassetsthroughouttheregion,alongwithpubliclandmanagers.Regionalcatchmentstrategieshavebeendevelopedtoprovideintegratedstrategiesforachievingimprovedenvironmentaloutcomesacrosstheregion.Regionallysignificantenvironmentalassetshavealsobeenidentifiedinthisplanandthesealignwiththoseidentifiedintheregionalcatchmentstrategies.Thisplanproposesalanduseresponsethatcomplementstheregionalcatchmentstrategies.

Keyareaswherepotentialgrowthorlandusechangemayintersectwithenvironmentalandheritageassetshavebeenidentified.Naturalhazardshavebeenmappedandformpartoftheconsiderationsforurbangrowth.Thisplanprovidesdirectionontheseissues.

AreasforactionincludedintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalStrategicPlan,theWimmeraRegionalCatchmentStrategyandtheMalleeRegionalCatchmentStrategyincludeincreasingvegetationcorridorsthroughouttheregion,maintainingandenhancingsignificantenvironmentalfeaturesacrossthewholelandscapeandembeddingconsiderationofachangingclimateintoplanning.

Map7: Environment and heritage future directions

11.2 Environment and heritage assets

Landscapes and heritage

Future directions

• Use landscape assessment studies across the region to define valued landscape characteristics and identify areas of regional significance

• Protect landscapes and cultural heritage places from development that detracts from its significance

• Encourage initiatives that are compatible with heritage conservation to allow residents and visitors to engage with the history of the region

TheSignificantLandscapeOverlayhasbeenappliedonalimitedbasiswithintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregiontoprivatelandsurroundingtheGrampiansNationalPark,theBlackRangeStateParkandMountArapiles-TooanStatePark.TheSouthWestLandscapeAssessmentStudy,whichincludesthesouthernpartoftheregion,hasbeenprepared.Thestudyevaluatesthevisualcharacterandsignificanceoflandscapesandwillinformlanduseplanningtoensurethemosthighlyvaluedlandscapesareprotectedfrominappropriatedevelopment.Thestudyidentifiedsignificantlandscapesasfollows:

• TheGrampians(statesignificance)

• MountArapiles(statesignificance)

• BlackRanges(regionalsignificance)

• Natimuk-DouglasSalineWetlandDepression(regionalsignificance).

AlandscapeassessmentstudywillbenecessaryforthebalanceoftheregiontoidentifyothervaluedlandscapesandprovidethebasisfortheconsistentapplicationoftheSignificantLandscapeOverlayintheregion.

Inplanningforgrowthandfuturelanduse,culturalheritageisanasset–incommunity,economicandsocialterms.TheregioncontainsarangeofAboriginalculturalheritageandhistoricheritageassets.Manytouristsseekheritagetourismexperiences.HeritageplacesandAboriginalcommunityorganisationsandenterprisescontributetotheregionaleconomyandemployment.Buildingacomprehensivesenseofplacearoundheritageplacesisimportanttodevelopresilientandsustainablecommunities.ThisinvolvesprotectionofheritageplacesandsupportinginitiativesthatallowresidentsandvisitorstoengagewiththehistoryandcultureoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee.TheGoldfields–Australia’sPremierHeritageRegioninitiativeisanexampleofsuchaprojectwithcross-regionalsignificance.

Theavailabilityandimplementationofheritagestudiesacrosstheregionisvariable.Ongoingassessmentofheritageassetsandimplementationofheritageoverlaysinplanningschemeswillenablecomprehensiverecognitionandprotectionoftheregion’sheritageassets.

• SupportthepreparationofalandscapeassessmentstudyforthosepartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleenotcoveredbytheSouthWestLandscapeAssessmentstudy

• Planningschemestorecogniseandprotectsignificantlandscapestomaintaintheamenityoftheregionforresidentsandvisitors,andpromotetheeconomiccontributiontheymaketotheregion

• Undertakeheritageassessmentsacrossalllocalgovernmentareasintheregionandensureheritageassetsareidentifiedinandprotectedbyplanningschemes

Native vegetation and habitats, rivers and wetlands

Future directions

• Work with Catchment Management Authorities to protect terrestrial habitat and the biodiversity it supports through identification of appropriate locations for links and corridors for plants, animals and ecosystems

• Minimise the impacts of land use change and development on high value environmental assets

Theexpansionofcroppinginthesouthernpartoftheregionisapotentialthreattonativevegetationandwetlandsasitincreasesthepressuretoremovetreesandgroundcovertoprovideaccessformachinery.Areasofremnantvegetationareoftenisolatedfromeachotherbylargeclearedareas.

Improvedconnectivitybetweenpatchesofremnantvegetationisimportantforallowingnativeplantsandanimalstobetterrespondtothreatsandopportunitiesandtomakeecosystemsmoreresilienttochange.Re-establishingconnectivitythroughestablishingvegetationcorridorswillalsohelpsustaintheproductivityoflandscapesonwhichagricultureisdependent.Actionsaimedatincreasinglandscapeconnectivityrequirecarefulplanningtotakeintoaccountecologicalissues,bushfiremanagement,weedandpestmanagementandimpactsonproductiveagriculturalland.

Currentandproposedvegetationestablishmentactivitiesintheregion,suchasplantationsforcarboncaptureandstorageoroffsetsforvegetationclearedelsewhere,couldbelinkedwithdevelopmentofhabitatcorridors.TheWimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthorityhasidentifiedstrategiccorridorsfornativevegetation(seeMap7).SomeofthesebroadlyfollowwatercoursessuchastheYarriambiackCreekwhileothersaimtolinkareasofhighnaturalvalues.

PressureforurbanandruralresidentialdevelopmentinareasofhighamenitysuchasneartheGrampiansNationalPark,orrurallivingareasnearHorshamandStawell,mayalsothreatenenvironmentalassetsandwaterquality.Potentialconflictsbetweenprotectingenvironmentalassetsand

providingforresidentialusesneedtobecarefullymanaged,suchaswherebushfirehazardmanagementrequirestheclearingofvegetation.Housinggrowthneedstobedirectedawayfromareaswhereitwouldresultinunacceptableimpactsonenvironmentalvalues.

Thereisaneedtoachieveconsistencyintheapplicationofplanningschemeprovisionswhichprotectenvironmentalassetsacrosstheregion.Updatingtheseprovisionstoreflectcurrentknowledgeofenvironmentalassetsshouldbeundertakenbyallcouncilsintheregion.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Applyplanningtoolsconsistentlytorecognisetheimportanceofnative

vegetation,waterwaysandwetlandsforbothbiodiversityprotectionandmaintenanceofagriculturalproductivity.Alsoprovidesupportfortheoutcomessoughtinregionalcatchmentstrategiesregardingprotectionofenvironmentalassets

• Exchangemappedandmodelleddataofenvironmentalassetsandnaturalhazardstoprovideforaccurateinterpretationofthebestavailabledatainplanningdecisions

• Supporttheenvironmentalvaluesofephemeralwetlands,watercoursesandfloodplainsinplanningschemestoensuretheyareconsideredinchangesoflanduseanddevelopment

• Directgrowthanddevelopmenttoareaswhereitwillnotimpactonsignificantenvironmentalassets.Ifimpactsareunavoidable,everyeffortshouldbemadetominimiseand,whereappropriate,offsetthem

• Ensurethatdevelopmentandgrowthisdirectedtoareaswherebushfireprotectionmeasureswillnotimpactonareasofhighbiodiversityandenvironmentalvalues

• Assessareasforpotentialgrowthindetailfortheirenvironmentalandheritageassets,includinghabitat,waterways,wetlands,soilhealthandAboriginalculturalheritageandhistoricheritage

• Encourageplanningauthoritiestoidentifyopportunitiesforincreasinglandscapeconnectivitytoimproveecosystemresilience.Inparticular,planningschemesshouldrecognisethelocationofdesignatedvegetationcorridorsatastrategiclevelwithintheirrespectivemunicipalities

Water supply assets

Future directions

• Promote the security and availability of high quality water within the region to attract residents and industry

• Use appropriate planning scheme provisions and policies to protect water supply assets of regional importance from development that may have a detrimental impact on water quality or water yield

• Support opportunities for land use change made possible by the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, where they will result in overall benefits to the community

GrampiansWimmeraMalleeWater,regionalcatchmentstrategiesandtheWesternRegionSustainableWaterStrategyallpromoteactionstoprotectwaterresources.TheWimmeraMalleePipelinehasdeliveredmuchmorereliableandhigherqualitywatertotowns,domesticandstockusers,lakesandweirsforconsumption,recreation,industrialusesandtheenvironment.

Landusechangeanddroughtoverthelast15yearshasresultedinperiodsofreducedrun-offintosomewatercourses.ThelandusechangesincludeincreasedfarmforestryinthesouthernpartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionandchangesfromgrazingandmixedfarmingtodrylandcroppinginthewest.Asclimatechangeimpactsemerge,reducedaveragerainfallandextremerainfalleventsareexpected,meaningthatageneraltrendforlowercatchmentinflowsislikelytocontinue.Thereforeitisimportanttorespondappropriatelytoenableeconomicdiversificationfromchangesinwateravailabilityovertime.

LanduseplanningaroundHorshamandfortheNorthernGrampiansShirewillbeparticularlyimportanttoprotectwaterqualityandhabitatsintheuppercatchmentoftheWimmeraRiversystem.Declaredwatersupplycatchmentsoccurinthesetwomunicipalities,whichofficiallyrecognisethosecatchmentsforwatersupplypurposesandrequirewaterqualityandyieldtobetakenintoaccountinlanduseplanningdecisions.Thisincludesconsiderationoferosion,salinityandlanduseimpactsonwateryields.

• Encouragegrowthandinvestigationareasinlocalplanningstrategiestoprovideongoingprotectionofregionalwaterassetsandapplywatersensitiveurbandesign

• Consistentlyapplyplanningtoolstorecognisetheimportanceofwaterassetsinachievingbeneficialsocial,economicandenvironmentaloutcomes,andfacilitatetheeconomicopportunitiespresentedbytheWimmeraMalleePipeline

• ConsistentlyapplyplanningtoolstorecognisethethreatstotheconditionofwaterwaysintheuppercatchmentoftheWimmeraRiversystem.Considerationshouldbegiventoapplyingoverlaystocertainareastoaddressspecificthreats,wherewarranted,andwhereinformationisavailable

Future directions

• New land use and development provides for the long-term sustainable management of the region’s soils

• Land use change is environmentally sustainable

TheWimmeraSouthernMallee’ssoilssupportalargeagriculturalindustryofstateandnationalimportance.Thelong-termsustainableuseofagriculturallandisdependentonthecontinuedhealthoftheenvironmentasawhole,ofwhichsoilsareanimportantpart.

TheWimmeraRegionalCatchmentStrategy(2012)acknowledgesthatsustainablemanagementoftheregion’ssoilsiscriticalformaintainingVictoria’seconomyandprovidingnationalfoodsecurity.However,soilhealthintheregioniscontinuingtodecline,atthesametimethatdemandforfoodproductionisincreasing.Thishascriticalimplicationsforagriculturalindustriesandrelateduses.Regionalcatchmentstrategiesrecognisethethreatofsoilerosiontootherregionalassets,suchaswaterquality.

Landuseplanningcanassistintheprotectionoftheregion’ssoilresourcebypromotinglandusechangethatdoesnotdisturbsoilstoalevelthatcouldresultinsoildeteriorationorthatfurthercontributestothepollutionofwaterwaysinanysignificantvolume.Planningprovisionssuchasenvironmentalsignificanceorerosionmanagementoverlayscanbeusedtoenhancetheprotectionofsoilsacrosstheregion.

• Encouragenaturalresourcemanagementstrategicplanningtoconsidertheimplicationsoflanduseplanning,suchasregionalsoilhealthplans,whenidentifyingstrategiclocationsforvegetationplanting

• Recognisetheimportanceofsoilhealthinlocalplanningpoliciesforthelong-termprosperityofagricultureintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Policieswillenablethecarefulmanagementoflanduseanddevelopmenttoencourageimprovementsinsoilhealth

• Assesstheimplicationsforsoilhealthwhenconsideringdevelopmentproposalsordesignatingareasforlandusechangesothatsustainablesoilmanagementoutcomesareachieved.Thisappliesparticularlytousessuchaslivestockfeedlots,whichcanleadtosignificantsoilhealthdeclineifnotappropriatelymanaged

• Applyplanningtoolsconsistentlytoaddressparticularsoilmanagementissues,suchasapplyingtheErosionManagementOverlaytoareaspronetoerosionorlandslipinthevicinityoftheGrampiansNationalPark.TheSalinityManagementOverlayshouldbeappliedtoareasaffectedbysalinityintheupperandlowersectionsoftheWimmeraRivercatchment

• Undertakestudies,wherenecessary,toidentifyareassubjecttoparticularsoilmanagementissuessuchaslandslipanderosion,wheresuchissuesmaywarranttheapplicationofoverlaycontrols.Inadditiontocurrentknowledge,worktowardsreducingthenumberofareaswheresoilqualityisunknown

11.3 Natural hazards and risks

Future directions

• Consider flood hazards in planning for land use, particularly where the threat to life and property may be increased as a result of land use or development

• Adopt a precautionary approach for consideration of new development in flood prone areas and prevent development that would increase flood hazard

FloodinghashadsignificantimpactsontheWimmeraSouthernMalleeinrecentyears,affectingmanycommunitiesanddamagingproperty.Climatechangepredictionsindicatemoreextremefloodeventsmayoccur.

Manyfloodhazardsareasareattractiveplacestoresidentsandvisitorsduetotheirproximitytowaterways,includinglandalongtheWimmeraRiveratHorsham.Carefulmanagementofnewlanduseanddevelopmentintheseareasisrequiredtominimiseriskstolifeandproperty.SettlementswithfloodconsiderationsareidentifiedonMap7.

PlanningtoolssuchastheUrbanFloodwayZoneandotherfloodoverlaysarecurrentlyusedintheregion’splanningschemesalthoughtheirapplicationislimitedtoareaswherefloodplainmodellinghasbeenundertaken.Thereisvariationinthecurrencyofthestudiesonwhichtheseplanningcontrolsarebased.Somestudieshavesincebeenreviewedandupdated,andanupdatedoverlayisrequired.Floodprovisionsinplanningschemesshouldbeusedconsistentlyacrosstheregiontoavoidinappropriatedevelopment(orredevelopment).

TheWimmeraCatchmentManagementAuthorityisthefloodplainmanagerformostoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee.IthasrecentlycommissionedfloodstudiesintheNatimukCreekcatchment,Landsborough,NavarreandMtWilliamCreekincludingDadswellsBridge,tobetterunderstandfloodplainbehaviourintheselocations.Anumberofotherstudieshavebeencompletedbutrequirerevisioninlightofthemajor2011floodevents.

FloodstudieswouldalsobebeneficialforWarracknabealandRupanyup.Majordevelopmentproposalsinfloodhazardareas,suchasanewroadalignment,couldtriggertheneedforadditionalfloodplainmodelling.Landuseplanningdecisionsshouldbebasedonthebestqualityinformationonfloodinghazardtominimiserisktolifeandproperty.Accuratefloodmappingiscriticalinthisregard.

• Supportfurtherfloodplainstudies,wherenecessary,tobetterinformdecisionsregardinggrowthincludingforthecomplexfloodplainoftheWimmeraRiveratHorshamandtownsintheuppercatchmentwhererisksofflashfloodingaregreatest

• Applyappropriatezoneandoverlaycontrolsassoonaspossibleafterfloodstudieshavebeencompleted.Detailedmappingandadviceoninterpretationofdatashouldbeprovidedtocouncilstoassistintheirplanningdecisions

• Useplanningschemestoprotectlife,infrastructureassetsandpropertyfromfloodeventswithinfloodhazardareas,particularlyforthosetownsshownonMap7

• Directnewgrowthanddevelopmenttolandoutsidefloodhazardareas

Bushfire

Future directions

• Prioritise the protection of human life over other policy considerations when planning to create or expand a settlement at risk from bushfire

• Apply a precautionary approach to planning and decision-making when assessing the risk to life, property and community infrastructure from bushfire

• Take advantage of existing settlement patterns where new development will not expose the community to increased risk from bushfire

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleecontainshighlydiverselandscapeswithvaryinglevelsofbushfirerisk.ManyofthemostattractiveareasforresidentsandvisitorsarealsoatgreatestriskfrombushfiresuchasHallsGapandrurallivingareassurroundingHorshamandStawell.Pressurefordevelopmentwithintheseareaspresentsasignificantchallengetolanduseplanningagenciesandcarefulmanagementisrequiredtominimiserisktolifeandproperty.

Climatechangepredictionsindicatethatbushfirefrequencyislikelytoincreasewithagreaternumberofextremefireindexdayseachyear.

Regionalandlocalplanningmustconsiderbushfirehazardindetail,withtheassistanceofplanningtools,suchastheBushfireManagementOverlay,RegionalBushfirePlanningAssessmentsandBushfireProneAreas,aswellasinputfromkeystakeholders,suchastheCountryFireAuthority.

TheRegionalBushfirePlanningAssessmentidentifiesspecificlocationswherefuturelanduseplanningdecisionsshouldconsiderbushfirehazards.Evaluationofbushfirehazardsmayalsoberequiredfordevelopmentsinotherareas,dependingonlocalcircumstances.

TheBushfireManagementOverlayisbeingappliedthroughlocalgovernmentplanningschemestorecogniseareaswherefirehazardisanimportantlanduseplanningconsideration.Newmappingisbeingpreparedandwillmoreaccuratelyreflectareaswherebushfirehazardrequiresspecificbushfireprotectionmeasurestoreducerisktoanacceptablelevel.

• Directdevelopmenttolocationsoflowerbushfirerisk

• Carefullyconsiderdevelopmentinlocationswherethereissignificantbushfireriskthatcannotbeavoided

• Avoiddevelopmentinlocationsofextremebushfirerisk

• Avoidareaswhereplannedbushfireprotectionmeasuresmaybeincompatiblewithotherenvironmentalobjectives

12. Urban settlement 12.1 Overview ThesettlementpatternoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeisdominatedbyHorsham,whichistwicethesizeofanyothercentreintheregion.StawellisthesecondlargestcentreintheregionandhasacloserelationshipwithArarat.Theremainingregionalpopulationislargelyconcentratedinsmalltomediumtowns.Thesetownsoperateasgroupsofsettlementswithstrongsocialandeconomicinterrelationshipsknownas‘communitiesofinterest’.

WimmeraSouthernMalleetownstypicallyhaveamoreimportantservicingroleforsurroundingruralareascomparedtosimilarsizedsettlementsinmoredenselypopulatedpartsofthestate.

Thepopulationofmanyoftheregion’stownshasdecreasedoverthelastfewdecades.Thistrendhasstabilisedinrecentyears,particularlyforlargersettlements.MosturbangrowthintheregionhasoccurredinHorshamandthistrendisexpectedtocontinue.

However,itisimportantnottofollowawhollytrend-basedapproachtoregionalplanning.Theplanseekstoenablegrowthinalltownsintheregionandattractresidentsbyfacilitatingeconomicgrowthandenhancingliveability.

Anumberofimportantdemographicissuesneedtobeconsideredinsettlementplanningfortheregion.VictoriainFuture(2012)projectionsindicateanunevenpatternofgrowth(seeFigure3).Theregion’spopulationwillincreasemoderatelybetween2011and2031,withgrowthinHorsham’spopulationtobeoff-setslightlybydecreasesinothermunicipalities.Therewillalsobeadisproportionateincreaseinthenumberandproportionofpeopleinolderagegroupsandadecreaseinthesizeofhouseholds.

ThisforecastpopulationchangehasimplicationsforhousingintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Inparticular,thenumberofdwellingsrequiredwillincreaseatagreaterratethanthepopulation.Thedeclineinhouseholdsizeandtheageingofthepopulationwillmeanmorehousingvarietyisneededtosupportchanginglifestyles.

Population change 2011-2031

Hindmarsh (S) Horsham (RC) NorthernGrampians (S)

WestWimmera (S)

Yarriambiack (S)

Change in dwellings 2011-2031

-1,000

Figure3: Projected change in population and number of dwellings 2011-2031

12.2 Regional settlement strategy

Future directions

• Support Horsham’s role as the regional city

• Build on the strengths of the region’s communities of interest in planning for growth, development and services

• Each ‘community of interest’ provides adequate housing, employment and service opportunities

• Promote new residential development which comprises a mix of detached and medium density dwellings located in existing settlements

• Protect and enhance township attributes which create attractive, healthy and liveable settlements

Regional settlementExistingtownsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleearethepreferredlocationsfornewresidentialdevelopment.Limitedpopulationgrowthisprojectedfortheregionanditshouldbeconcentratedinlocationswithexistingservices.Horshamwillremainthekeyregionalcityandbewheresignificantshopping,health,commercialandeducationserviceswitharegionalcatchmentarelocated.

Settlementplanningintheregionwillbebasedonits‘communitiesofinterest’.Thiscontinuesatraditionofpeopleshoppingandworkingintheirowntownoranothernearbycentre.Thesharingofresources,servicesandeconomicdevelopmentinitiativeswithincommunitiesofinterestisonewaytoassistinmaintainingtheviabilityofsmallsettlementsandminimisingthesocialandeconomicdisadvantageassociatedwithalackofaccesstoservicesoremployment.Thisrequiresfuturelanduseandinfrastructureplanningtoconsidereachcommunityofinterestasasingleentity.

Planningforeachcommunityofinterestwillseektoprovidesufficientresidentialandemploymentlandforgrowthandchangeandforsitesforkeyservices.Eachcommunityofinterestwillhaveatleastonetownwhichfunctionsasthehubforservicedelivery,employmentandresidentialgrowthinthegroup.Othersmallersettlementsmaychangeovertimetotakeoncomplementaryfunctionswithinthecommunityofinterest,suchasprovidingnicheresidential,tourismoremploymentuses,ratherthanbeingcomprehensiveservicecentres.

Somecommunitiesofinterestincorporatesettlementsfromoutsidetheregion.Inparticulartherearerelationshipsbetween:

• townsinBulokeShire,suchasDonaldandCharlton,withHorshamandStArnaud

• AraratwithStawell,HallsGapandothersmallersettlementsinthissub-region

• townsinWestWimmeraShireandnearbySouthAustraliancommunitiesincludingNaracoorteandBordertown.

Therewillbeaneedtoconsidertheservices,housingandemploymentavailableinadjoiningareasoutsidetheregionaspartofsettlementandserviceplanning.

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleestrategicsettlementframeworkandcommunitiesofinterestareshownonMap8.

Map8:Strategic settlement framework plan – communities of interest

Regionalcity

Horsham • Highestlevelsofpopulation,servicesandemploymentintheregion

• Varietyofresidentialopportunities• Clearcommercialcentre• Mayincludetheheadofficesofmajorregionally-basedfirms,

institutions,oragencies• Servicesaregionalnetworkofsettlementsandcaninfluence

theroleofsmallersettlementssurroundingthem• Majordestinationforfreightandpassengertransport

Districttowns(sub-regionalhubs)

Edenhope Hopetoun Nhill St Arnaud Stawell Warracknabeal

• Provideanimportantsub-regionalgoodsandservicerole,meetingsmallertownandruraldistrictneedsincludinglocalgovernment,policingandambulanceservicestoasurroundingruralhinterland

• Moderatelydiversepopulationandhousingbase• Goodaccesstoservicesandretail• Mayincludesomehigherorderservicessuchasmedical/

hospitalservicesandavarietyofeducationfacilities–largertownsmayhavepost-secondaryeducationfacilities

• Allutilityservicesareprovided,withsomelargertownshavingaccesstoreticulatedgas

Dimboola Kaniva Murtoa Halls Gap

• Similartodistricttownsbutgenerallyserviceamorelocalisedcatchment

• Greaterrelianceonothercentresforservicesandemployment• SpecialisttourismroleforHallsGap

Smallsettlements

Examples include: Natimuk Harrow Jeparit Minyip Great Western

• Lowpopulationlevels• Accesstoservicessuchasasmallprimaryschoolandgeneral

storewithpostalfacilitiesmaybefoundinasmallretailarea• Connectiontoreticulatedwaterisgenerallyavailablebut

accesstosewerconnectionvaries• Inpopulartourismlocalities,rolemayincludealowlevel

supplyofvisitoraccommodationandholidayhomeswithseasonalvariationinpopulation

Figure4: Wimmera Southern Mallee settlement network and characteristics

Liveable communitiesInordertoencouragepeopletotheWimmeraSouthernMalleeitisessentialthaturbansettlementsarehighlyliveableplaces.Liveabilitywillbesupportedbyeasyaccesstoservicesandjobs,acleanandhealthyenvironment,andattractiveandengagingurbanenvironments.

Landuseplanningcancontributetocreatingattractivetownsintheregionbyrecognisingandprotectingthoseattributesvaluedbythecommunityandwhichmakeplacesdistinctive.Additionalheritageandurbancharacterinvestigationsandplanningschemecontrolswillbenecessarytomanagechangeinsomecommunities.

Itiscriticalthatproposalsadoptprinciplesofhighqualityurbandesignsothatdevelopmentintegrateswithurbanareasandcreateshealthy,safeandconnectedplaces.

Figure4outlinestheWimmeraSouthernMalleesettlementnetworkandcharacteristics.

• Fortheregionalcity,districttownsandtowns:

• encouragetheprovisionandmaintenanceofawiderangeofservicesandfacilities

• providesufficientlandtoenableresidentialandemploymentgrowth(notethatHallsGapisnotintendedtobeafocusforconventionalresidentialgrowth)

• prioritiseinfrastructureinvestmenttowardssupportinggrowth

• Supporttransportsystemsthatprovideaccesstotheregionalcity,districttownsandtowns

• Continuetosupportsmallersettlementsbyallowingfortheirongoingtransition,maintainingserviceswherefeasibleandencouraginglimitedincrementalgrowthifrequired

• Identifytheneedforadditionalheritageordesigncontrolstoprotectthevaluedcharacterofurbanareas

• Encourageurbandevelopmentthatpromotesandsupportshighqualitystreetscapesandurbandesign,andcontributestoattractiveandhealthyurbanenvironments

Firebrace Street, Horsham, image courtesy of Daryl Wisely

12.3 Housing diversity and affordability

Future directions

• Provide social infrastructure that is well located and accessible to residential areas, transport services, employment and educational opportunities

• Support opportunities to increase and renew housing stock

• Promote new housing which responds to the characteristics and requirements of the region’s population

IntheWimmeraSouthernMallee,thereisamismatchbetweenthechangingstructureofhouseholdsandtheavailablehousingstock.Theregionfeaturesarelativelyhighproportionofsmallhouseholdsbuthasafairlyhomogenoushousingstock,dominatedbydetachedsingledwellings.Asthepopulationagesthereislikelytobeanincreaseddemandforagreatermixofhousesincludingunitsandagedcarehousing.Housingforelderlypeopleshouldbeencouragedintheregion’slarger,well-servicedtownstohelpreducesocialisolation,particularlyHorsham,totakeadvantageofitslocalpublictransportservices.

Despitelowratesofhousingstressandhighlevelsofhousingaffordability,theregionhassignificantchallengesinrelationtohousing.Thehousingmarketisnotworkingeffectively,fordifferentreasonsindifferenttowns.

Barrierstoinvestmentinhousing,insomelocations,includelowreturnscomparedtootherinvestments,institutionalinvestorssuchashospitalscompetingintherentalhousingmarketandwidespreadlowincomesinsomepocketsoftheregion.

Dealingwiththesecomplexhousingmarketissueswillrequiresustainedinterventionfromalllevelsofgovernment.Landuseplanningalonecannotaddressallhousingissues.However,keyopportunitiesforsupportthroughintegratedlanduseplanningincludethelocationofhousingandtransportservices,andtheappropriatedesignmixofhousingtypes.

• Encourageplanningschemestorecognisetheimportanceofdiverseandaffordablehousingwhichtakesintoaccountemergingdemographic,socialandeconomictrends

• Allowforincreasedhousingdensitiesinlocationsthatareaccessibletoshops,transportnetworksandothercommunityservicesandfacilities

• Developaregionalhousingstrategywithafocusonchoice,availabilityandaffordability

• Encourageprinciplesofuniversalandadaptabledesigntobeincorporatedintonewhousing

• Identifyandaddressgapsinthehousingmarketthatarehinderinggrowthandprosperityorexacerbatingdisadvantage

• Supporttheprovisionofsuitablehousingforelderlypeopletocaterfortheprojecteddemographicchange

12.4 Regional city – Horsham

Future directions

• SupportdevelopmentandinvestmentthatisconsistentwithHorsham’sstatusasaregionalcityandthelargesttowninWimmeraSouthernMallee

• Provideforresidentialgrowththroughinfilldevelopmentandtargetedgreenfielddevelopment

• ConsolidatetheregionalsignificanceoftheHorshamcentralactivitiesdistrictbyprovidingadditionalretailandofficespaceoverthelifeofthisplan

• ProvideacomprehensivegrowthplanforHorshamwhichintegratestransportandlanduseplanning

HorshamisthekeyregionalcentrefortheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionandisofstatewidesignificance.ItisstrategicallylocatedonthejunctionofthreehighwaysandtheMelbourne-Adelaiderailway.Horshamishometoregionalhealthservices,tertiaryeducationandgovernmentagencies.Horsham’sroleastheprimaryurbansettlementintheregionisreinforcedbythisplan.ThesuccessofHorshamwillbeimportanttotheregionaleconomyandforattractingnewresidents.HorshamwillcontinuetoprovidehigherorderemploymentandservicestothewholeWimmeraSouthernMallee.

Residential growthPopulationprojections(fromVictoriainFuture2012)indicategrowthofaround0.5percentperyearcanbeexpectedoverthenext20years(around2200peopleintotal).ProjecteddwellingdemandforHorshamRuralCityis100to125perannum.Thereisaneedforhighqualityhousingtoattractskilledprofessionalstotheregion.

ThereisvacantresidentialzonedlandavailableonallsidesofthecitywiththelargestareatothewestbetweenRemlawRoadandNatimukRoad.

Datafortheperiod2011–2026indicatesthesupplyofgreenfieldresidentiallandisadequateforthenext10to15years,basedonrecentconstructiontrendsandpopulationprojections.Furtheropportunitiesforresidentialdevelopmentoverthemedium-tolong-termwillneedtobeidentified.

TheWimmeraRiverprovidesamajorrecreationalandenvironmentalassetforthecity,butitalsocreatesanumberofplanningconsiderations.Inparticular,majorresidentialgrowthisunlikelytobeappropriateontheeasternsideofHorshamduetoflooding,whileareastothewestofthecityarelikelytohavetheleastenvironmentalplanningconsiderationsforfurthergrowth.AreasimmediatelytothesouthoftheWimmeraRivercouldbeinvestigatedforfurtherdevelopmentalthoughitwillbenecessarytomanagevariousconstraintsincludingbushfire,floodingandculturalheritage.

Infillandmediumdensitydevelopmentshouldbesupportedasakeysourceofsupplyincludingmixedusedevelopmentsinandaroundthecentralactivitiesdistrict.

Itisnotexpectedthatadditionallowdensityresidentiallandwillberequiredintheshort-tomedium-term.

Urban form and designTheWesternHighwayrunsthroughthemiddleofHorsham.VicRoadsisinvestigatingoptionsforbypassingthecitytothenorth-east.ItisimportantthatanyfuturebypassintegrateswiththeurbanformofHorshamanddoesnotsegregatepreferredgrowthareasfromotherpartsofthecityorprejudiceopportunitiesforgrowth.Decisionsaboutfuturegrowthshouldbecognisantofthebypassrouteonceitisfinalised.

FutureexpansionofHorshamwillpreferablybecontiguousandintegratedwithurbanareastoachievehighlevelsofconnectivityandaccessibility.Theurbanformshouldsupportwalking,cyclingandeasydeliveryoflocalpublictransport.

Newdevelopmentshouldincorporatequalityurbandesignsothatnewcommunitieshavehighlevelsofamenityandliveability.

ThereisaneedtoimproveconnectivitybetweenthecentralactivitiesdistrictandHorshamNorth,currentlydividedbytherailwayline.TherelocationoffreightactivitiestotheWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalatDooenwillassistinthisprocess,aswillotherinitiativessuchasthefuturepotentialrealignmentoftherailwaylineawayfromthecity.FurtheropportunitiestoenhanceconnectivityandtoregenerateHorshamNorthshouldbepursued.

Employment and businessHalfofalljobsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleearelocatedinHorshamandthisproportionisevenhigherforretailandservicesectoremployment.ThisemphasisesHorsham’simportancetotheregionasawhole.

Horsham’scentralactivitiesdistrictistheprimefocusforcommercialactivityinthecityandhasarelativelycompact,integratedform.Itisanticipatedtherewillbedemandforincreasedofficeandretailfloorspaceoverthelifeoftheplanandthisshouldbelocatedinthecentralactivitiesdistrict.EnhancementstopublicspacesinthecentralactivitiesdistrictwouldhelpstrengthenHorsham’sroleasthecapitaloftheregion.Thereissomepotentialtoencouragesecondaryretaildevelopment,suchasbulkygoodssalesandcaryards,withinexistingbusinesszonedlandalongStawellRoadandDimboolaRoad.

Thereisarangeofindustriallandlocatedinandaroundthecityanddatasuggeststhereisinexcessof15years’supplyavailable.Thissituationshouldbemonitoredtoensureasufficientlandsupplyismaintained.Anynewindustriallandshouldbelocatednearkeytransportroutes,particularlytheproposedbypass.Theairportalsocreatesopportunities.Itisrecommendedthatastudybeundertakentoconsiderexpandingtheadjoiningindustrialareatosupportfurtheraviationuses.

ThenewWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalanditsadjoiningprecinctatDooen,eightkilometrestothenorth-eastofHorsham,isofregionalimportanceandshouldbeafocusforfreightandlogistics.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• PrepareastrategicgrowthplantodirectHorsham’sfuture

development

• Supportinvestmentinhigherorderservicesandfacilitiesthatcaterforaregionalcatchment

• Undertakedetailedinvestigationofpotentialresidentialgrowthareastoensurealong-termsupplyofresidentiallandincludinginfillandconversioncapacityandgreenfieldexpansion

• Encouragenewgrowthareas,particularlythoseadjacenttotheWimmeraRiver,whichdonotconflictwithitsenvironmentalandculturalheritageassetsandarenotatriskofflooding

• Provideforthemajorityofresidentialgrowththroughinfilldevelopmentandlimitedgreenfieldresidentialexpansion

• Encourageinfillwithinareasoflowdensityratherthanprovidingadditionallowdensitylandrezoning

• Consolidateindustrialdevelopmentinexistinglocationsandmonitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandforthecity

• InvestigateexpansionoftheindustrialareaatHorshamAirport

• ConsiderHorsham’sproposedlong-termgrowthpatterninselectingthefinalroutefortheWesternHighwaybypass

• Locateadditionalretailandofficespaceintheexistingbusinessareasofthecentralactivitiesdistrict

• SupportregenerationofHorshamNorththroughbetteraccess,communityinfrastructureandhousing

• Preparenewdevelopmentplanswhichlinkgrowthareaswiththeexistingstreetnetworkandprovideforacontiguousurbanarea

• Developplanningpoliciesandinvestmentstrategiestoenhancethecentralactivitiesdistrict’sregionalsignificance

• ImplementtheHorshamHeritageStudy

Map9: Horsham strategic framework plan

12.5 District towns

Edenhope

Future directions

• Recognise Edenhope as the district town for the south-western Wimmera community of interest

• Encourage the provision of a range of middle order health, education, retail, municipal and emergency services

• Provide for residential growth through infill development

• Provide additional industrial land to facilitate employment

Edenhopeisthemajorcentreinthesouth-westernpartoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion,providingvariousservicestoitscommunityofinterest,whichincludesGoroke,HarrowandApsley.Thetown’sproximitytoSouthAustraliaenablesacloserelationshipwithNaracoorteandresidentsrelyonthiscentreandHorshamforhigherorderservices.ThetownislocatedonLakeWallace,whichshouldbeprotectedasanimportantfocusforrecreation,tourismandamenity.

Infilldevelopmentwillprovideforresidentialgrowthintheshort-tomedium-term.Overtimeadditionalresidentiallandsupplywillberequired.ThiscouldbelocatedtothesouthofthetownoraroundLakeWallace.DevelopmentaroundLakeWallacewouldrequireanextensionofthereticulatedseweragesystemtolimittheimpactonthelake.

Thereisaneedforadditionalindustriallandtosupportemploymentgrowth.Thepreferenceisforthisistobelocatedtothesouth-eastofthetown.

Otherkeystrategicissuesforthetownincludetherelianceontreatedborewaterfordrinkingsuppliesandtheneedtoupgradetheairporttoaccommodateemergencyflightstomeetfuturecommunityneeds.

• Focusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthesouth-westernpartoftheregioninEdenhope

• Identifyapreferredlocationforadditionalindustriallandandfacilitatedevelopment

• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentialland

Hopetoun

Future directions

• Recognise Hopetoun as the district town for the northern Wimmera Southern Mallee community of interest, relying on Horsham and Warracknabeal for higher order services

• Promote residential development within the existing urban area

• Allow for future industrial growth through expansion of the industrial area, as demand requires

HopetounislocatedinthenorthernWimmeraonthebanksofLakeLascellesandLakeCoorong.Hopetounhasarelativelysmallpopulationbutitsremotelocationhasledtoithavingarelativelyhighlevelofservices,includingasecondaryschoolandaruralhealthcentre.Thesefacilitiesmeanitplaysanimportantroleforsurroundingcommunitiesandthisisexpectedtocontinue.

Demandforresidentiallandisrelativelylowandthetownwillnotrequireexpansionintheimmediatefuture,althoughongoingmonitoringofsupplywillberequired.Someopportunitiesforinfilldevelopmentexistandcouldbeincreasedifeducationfacilitiesareconsolidatedontoonesite.

Hopetoun’slocationattheterminusofafreightraillineandontheHentyHighwayhasencouragedsomerecentemploymentgrowth,includingusingthestationtoshipmineralsandsbyrailtoHamilton.Thishasbeenassistedbytherezoningandexpansionoftheindustrialareatothenorth-west.Furtherindustriallandshouldbeprovidedinthislocationifthedemandeventuates.Additionalsewerageinfrastructurewouldbeneededtofacilitatesuchdevelopment.Othermineralresourcesinthearea,aswellaslinkstonearbyrecreationandtourismassets,mayhelpdrivefurthergrowth.

• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetoservicingthelocalpopulationandadjoiningcommunities

• MonitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothenorthofHopetoun,ifrequiredfordevelopment

• Determinethesewerageinfrastructurerequirementforindustrialexpansion

• Maximiseuseofthetown’skeyassetssuchastherailwaylineandnaturalattractionstoencourageemploymentandpopulationgrowth

Future directions

• Recognise Nhill as the district town for the western Wimmera community of interest

• Encourage the provision of a wide range of middle order health, education, retail, municipal and emergency services

• Support expansion of the urban area to accommodate future residential and employment growth

NhillisstrategicallylocatedhalfwaybetweenMelbourneandAdelaideontherailwayandroadcorridorlinkingthesecities.ItisakeyfocusforserviceprovisionandemploymentinthewesternpartoftheregionandprovidessomeservicestosmallersettlementssuchasKaniva,Dimboola,JeparitandRainbow.Thisroleisexpectedtocontinue.

Nhillandthesurroundingareahavearangeofemploymentopportunities,particularlyinservicesandruralindustry.Additionalindustriallandwillberequiredtoprovideforfutureemploymentgrowth.AppropriatelocationsincludeareaseastorwestofthetownalongtheWesternHighway.Newemploymentopportunitiesmayariseintourismrelatedtonearbyenvironmentalassetsaswellasinruralindustryandrenewableenergyfacilities.

PopulationmigrationtoNhilltoservicelocalindustryislikelytocreateongoingdemandforhousing.Additionalhousingwillbeprovidedthroughinfilldevelopmentandsomeurbanexpansion.LandtothesouthofBoneLaneandGeorgeStreetarepreferredlocationsforinvestigationoffutureresidentialdevelopment.Theseoptionsarefavouredoverprovidingadditionallandforrurallivingdevelopment.

Residentialliveabilitywillbeenhancedbyimpendingupgradestothetown’spotablewatersupply.OpportunitiesalsoexisttoregeneratethecentreofthetownandprovideadditionalhousingorpublicopenspacethroughtherelocationofDavisParkandexistingindustrialland.

• FocusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthewesternpartoftheregioninNhill

• Identifyapreferredlocationforadditionalindustriallandandfacilitateitsdevelopment

• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentiallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothetown’ssouth-easttodetermineitssuitabilityfordevelopment

• FurtherinvestigateopportunitiesforregenerationofthecentreofthetownthroughtherelocationorrenewaloftheDavisParkprecinctandconsolidationofindustrialland

St Arnaud

Future directions

• Recognise St Arnaud as the district town for the communities of interest in the region’s east

• Allow for expansion of the urban area to accommodate future employment growth

• Protect and enhance St Arnaud’s attractive architecture and streetscapes

StArnaudisstrategicallylocatedatthejunctionofseveralmajorroadswithgoodaccesstoHorsham,Ballarat,BendigoandnorthernVictoria.StArnaudhasagoodrangeoffacilitiesandservicesandsharesacommunityofinterestwiththesouthernpartsofBulokeShire.ItalsohaslinkstoBallarat,BendigoandMaryboroughforavarietyofservicesandactivities.

StArnaudischaracterisedbyitsattractivegoldfieldseraarchitecturalcharacterandthesurroundingnaturalenvironment.ProposedHeritageOverlayswillprovidesomeprotectionforthetown’svaluedbuiltformbuttheneedforfurtherplanningprotectionshouldbeconsidered.Ongoinginvestmenttoenhancebuildingsandstreetscapeswillbeencouragedtocreateanattractivedrawcardforresidentsandvisitors.Thereispotentialtocreateamorepedestrian-friendlyshoppingstrip.

Additionalgreenfieldresidentialdevelopmentisnotrequiredintheshort-tomedium-termandinfillopportunitieswillbepursuedasapriority.LongertermresidentiallandrequirementscouldbeconsideredalongCharltonRoadtothenorth.AnyfutureexpansionofStArnaudwillneedtoconsiderbushfirehazards.

StArnaudhasanemploymentsectorbasedonservicingruralindustry.Itsproximitytoaconcentrationofintensiveagricultureisastrategicopportunity.Provisionofreticulatednaturalgasandimprovementstopowersupplieswouldhelpsupportgrowthanddiversifytheeconomy.

Someindustriallandinthecentreofthetownispoorlysitedformodernindustryandtherelocationofbusinessestomoresuitablesitesmayprovidesomeadditionalresidentialsupply.Newindustriallandmayberequiredandthepreferredlocationsforthisaretotheeastandsouth.

• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetothelocalcommunityanditssurrounds

• Encourageresidentialinfilldevelopmentaheadofexpansionofthetown

• Investigatetheprovisionofadditionalindustriallandtotheeastorsouthofthetownandconsidertheopportunitytorelocatebusinessesfromconstrainedsitesinthecentreoftown

• ConsidertheneedforadditionalplanningcontrolstoprotectthecharacterandstreetscapesofStArnaud,whichareanattractivetourismdrawcardandhelpsupportthelocaleconomy

Stawell

Future directions

• Support the role of Stawell as the district town for the southern part of the region and the second largest urban centre in Wimmera Southern Mallee

• Encourage the provision of a wide range of middle order health, education, retail, municipal and emergency services as well as some higher order services

• Recognise the cohesive relationship between Stawell and Ararat in the provision of services, housing and employment

• Allow for expansion of the urban area to accommodate future residential and employment growth

• Protect and enhance Stawell’s attractive architecture and streetscapes

StawellisthesecondlargesttownintheWimmeraSouthernMallee,thehomeoftheinternationallyknownStawellGiftfootrace,andactsasagatewaytotheWimmeraandtheGrampiansNationalPark.Itispartofastrongcommunityofinterestbasedonthe‘triangle’ofStawell,AraratandHallsGap.TheinterdependentrelationshipbetweenStawellandAraratisuniqueinwesternVictoria.Thereisonly30kilometresbetweenthetwotowns,theyareasimilarsize,andbothprovideawiderangeofservices,jobsandhousing.Thiscloseassociationwillcontinueandshouldbeconsideredasasignificantfocusforpopulation,employmentandinvestmentinthissub-region.ProposedimprovementstotheWesternHighwaywillenhancethisconnection.

Newgreenfieldresidentialdevelopment,inadditiontoinfilldevelopment,willprovideforthemediumtolong-termhousingneedsofStawell.UrbanexpansionofStawellisconstrainedbytheairport,goldmineandbushland.Aseweragestrategywillberequiredtohelpserviceurbangrowth.

Stawellhasadiverseemploymentbaseincludingservices,mining,construction,tourismandmanufacturing.Thetownwillcontinuetosupportthisrangeofusesandconsolidateitsmanufacturingbase.Additionalindustriallandislikelytoberequiredandthisshouldbelocatedtothewestoftheexistingindustrialareaonthewesternsideofthetown,northofthehighway.

FutureemploymentopportunitiesthatcouldbesupportedinStawellincludetheequineindustry,aviationindustryandrecreationandtourismsectors.TherewillbeaneedtocarefullymanagethetransitionofthegoldmineatStawellwhenitceasesoperation.Anopportunitytouseitasatrainingcentrefortheminingindustryisbeingconsidered.

TheWesternHighwaywillinfluencethegrowthandurbanformofStawelloverthelongterm.DuplicationofthehighwayisproposedtoterminateatStawellandtheexistinghighwaythroughStawellwillneedtobemanagedtoaddresstrafficimpactsanduseofadjoiningland.

• PlanforfutureinvestmentandservicesbasedonthecloseconnectionbetweenStawellandArarattomaximisesharedandnicheopportunitiesforboth

• Identifyadditionalindustriallandandfacilitateitsdevelopment

• Provideforadditionalresidentiallandinsouth-eastStawellandprepareaseweragestrategytofacilitateorderlyandefficientinfrastructureprovision

• Ensurebushfirehazardisavoidedinthedesignandlocationofnewresidentialdevelopment

• InvestigatemeasurestomanagetrafficandlandusealongtheWesternHighway

Warracknabeal

Future directions

• Support Warracknabeal as the key district town for the communities of interest in the northern part of the Wimmera

• Allow for some expansion of the urban area to accommodate future residential and employment growth

WarracknabealisahubforservicesandemploymentinthenorthernpartoftheWimmera,withitscommunityofinterestincludingRainbow,Jeparit,BeulahandMinyip.ItalsohasgoodlinkstoBirchip,HopetounandDonald.Warracknabeal’sserviceandemploymentrolewillbeconsolidatedandenhancedbyensuringservicesandfacilitiesareretainedandfurtherinvestmentisdirectedtowardsthetown.

Roadandraillinkstootherpartsoftheregionwillbeakeydriverforfurtheremploymentgrowth.Overthelifeofthisplanadditionalindustriallandwillberequired.ThisshouldbelocatedadjacenttotheexistingindustrialareatothenorthofWarracknabeal.

Thetownfeaturesaveryhighproportionoftraditionaldetachedhousingandarelativelylowproportionofrentaldwellings.Diversificationandrenewalofhousingstockisencouragedtosupportachangingpopulationandtoimprovehousingquality.

Infilldevelopmentwillcontinuetoprovideforresidentialgrowthbutsomeadditionallandwillberequiredforeitherconventionalorrurallivingdevelopment.ThisgrowthshouldbecontiguouswiththeurbanareaandcouldbedirectedtothewesternsideoftheYarriambiackCreekortothesouth-eastofthetown.

TheYarriambiackCreekrunsthroughWarracknabealandisakeyenvironmentalassetthatenhancestheliveabilityandattractivenessofthetown.Developmentnearthecreekwillneedtoberestrictedtothoseareasnotaffectedbybushfireandfloodhazards.Environmentalvaluesassociatedwiththewaterwayanditsriparianvegetationwillalsoneedtobeconsidered.

• FocusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthenorthernpartoftheregioninWarracknabeal

• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentiallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothesouth-eastorwestofthetowntodetermineitssuitabilityfordevelopment

• Monitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothenorthofthetowntofacilitateadditionalsupply

• ReviewtheextentoftheinundationmappingcoveringpartsofWarracknabealsothatitremainscurrent

12.6 Other key townsDimboola

Future directions

• Recognise Dimboola as a key local service centre

• Encourage the provision of a range of services appropriate for the local community

• Residential development will primarily occur within the existing urban area

• Allow for urban expansion to support future industrial growth

DimboolaislocatedontheWesternHighwayandinterstaterailcorridorbetweenthelargertownsofHorshamandNhill.Therewillcontinuetobearelianceontheselargercentresforhigherorderservices.Dimboola’sproximitytoHorshamandWarracknabealallowsresidentstocommutetoaccessemploymentandservices.

Infillispreferredovertheprovisionofadditionalrurallivingland.ItislikelyadditionalindustriallandwillberequiredwithgoodaccesstotheWesternHighway.Opportunitiescouldbeconsideredtothenorthoreastofthetowninproximitytothebypass.

• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetolocalresidentsandsurroundingcommunities

• Provideforresidentialgrowthprimarilywithinthecurrenttownboundaries

• MonitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothenorthoreastofthetownneartheWesternHighwaytodetermineitssuitabilityfordevelopment

Kaniva

Future directions

• Recognise Kaniva as a key local service centre

• Encourage the provision of a range of services appropriate for the local community

• Provide for infill residential development within the town boundaries and provide for some additional rural living land adjacent to the town

KanivawillcontinuetoprovideservicesforitslocalcommunityofinterestwhichincludessmallruralsettlementssuchasLillimur,Miram,ServicetonandTelopeaDowns.Kaniva’slocationontheWesternHighwaycorridormeansithasgoodaccesstoNhillandHorshamforhigherorderservices.

KanivahasacompactandcontiguousbuiltformandiscontainedwithintheTownshipZone.Infilldevelopmentwillbeencouragedtoconsolidatetheexistingurbanform.Anumberofsmalllotsontheimmediatewesternsideofthetown,currentlylocatedintheFarmingZone,couldbezonedforlowdensityresidentialpurposes.

IndustriallandisprovidedontheeasternsideofKanivaandisexpectedtomeetdemandfortheimmediatefuture.

Kanivareliesonborewaterfortownsupplies.Aninfrastructureupgradewillberequiredinordertosupplypotablewatertothetown.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Promoteresidentialdevelopmentwithincurrenttownboundaries• InvestigaterezoningsmalllotstothewestofKanivatoallowforlow

densityresidentialdevelopment• Provideasinglezoneforthetown’saerodrome• Monitortheneedforadditionalindustrialland

• Supportimprovementstothetown’sdrinkingwaterquality

Murtoa

Future directions

• Support Murtoa as a service centre, predominantly serving its local area

• Allow for the development of Murtoa as an alternative residential option within commuting distance of Horsham

Murtoaislocated30kilometreseastofHorshamandreliesonthiscentreforemploymentandhigherorderservices.MurtoawillcontinuetoprovidesomeservicesandjobsforlocalresidentsanditsruralhinterlandbutwillalsoactasacommutertowntoHorsham.Itisexpecteddemandfornewhouseswillbefocusedonlowerdensityresidentialpropertyandsomeinfill.

Demandforexpansionofthetownisnotexpectedintheshort-tomedium-termbutshouldbemonitored.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetoservicing

thelocalcommunity

• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentialandindustrialland

12.7 Small settlements

Future directions

• Plan for small settlements to manage local challenges and help these communities to be adaptable and resilient

• Encourage small settlements to contribute to their local communities of interest to enable good access to key services

TheregionalsettlementstrategyconfirmstheurbanstructureoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleewillbebasedaroundcommunitiesofinterestorgroupsoftownswhichhaveastronginterrelationship.Thismodelisparticularlypertinenttothefutureroleandviabilityofsmallsettlements(urbancentresoflessthan500people),whilerecognisingtheregion’slargetownswillgenerallyprovidethesizeandcriticalmasstosupporthigherorderservices.Smallsettlementswithineachcommunityofinterestwillcontinuetoplayaroleinprovidingforcomplementaryfunctionstolargertowns.Theywillcontinuetoshareservicesandfacilitieswithothersettlementsinthecommunityofinterestandmaintainservicesfortheirlocalcommunitiesandruralhinterland.

Theplanwillencourageandsupportsmallsettlementstoberesilient(havetheabilitytorecoverfromanegativeevent)andadaptable(adjusteffectivelytochangingcircumstances).

Thereareanumberofwayslanduseplanningcansupporttheseobjectivesalthoughamulti-sectorresponsewillbeneededtoaddressmanyoftheopportunitiesandchallenges.

Facilitating localised responsesStrategiesneedtobetailoredtowardstheindividualopportunitiesandthreatsforeachsettlementandrecognisethediversityofsmallsettlements.TheWimmeraSouthernMallee’ssmallsettlementswillhaveavarietyofdifferentrolessuchasprovidingandpromotingarangeoflifestyleandhousingchoices,supportingnichetourismuses,facilitatingruralindustryandfreightfunctions,oractingascommutercentreswithlinkstolargertowns.Forexample,GreatWesternandNatimukareattractivesettlementslocatedneartourismattractionsandcanleverageofftheseassets.Incontrast,ApsleyisplayinganincreasingroleinprovidingadditionalhousingtoserviceNaracoorte.

Access to servicesThereisastrongrelationshipbetweenpopulationgrowthandproximityofsettlementstohigherorderservices.Thisplan’scommunitiesofinterestmodelseekstoensurereasonableaccesstoservicesthroughouttheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.Theabilitytoaccesstheseservicesineachgroupofsettlementswillbeenhancedbyplanningforservicesandfacilitiesonanetworkbasisandimprovingtransportlinksbetweensmallersettlementsandnearbydistricttowns.TheNationalBroadbandNetworkshouldalsoprovideasignificantbenefittotheviabilityandliveabilityofsmallsettlementseventhoughaccesswillbeviasatelliteratherthanfibreopticcableformostpartsoftheregion.

Economic diversificationEconomicdiversitytendstobelowerinremoteruralsettlements,makingcommunitiesvulnerabletochange.Flexibilityinplanningcontrolswillbecentraltoplanningforsmallsettlementstoallowthemtoadapttoamyriadofpotentialeconomicandsocialchanges.Forwardplanningshouldidentifyandprotectstrategiceconomicassetssuchasfutureindustriallandnearfreightraillines,tourismnodesoragriculturalland.

Providing infrastructureWhilemanysmallsettlementsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleehavearangeoflowerorderservices,itwillbeimportantforsocialinfrastructuretocontinuetoevolvetomatchdemographicchangesandtoencouragepopulationreplenishment.Thiscouldrequirenewmodelsofserviceprovisionsuchasintegratedcommunityhubs.Ongoingimprovementstoserviceinfrastructure,suchasthenewsewerageschemeproposedforRupanyuporimprovedwaterqualityinJeparit,willalsoenhanceliveabilityandsupporteconomicdiversification.

Managing change from significant investmentAnumberoflargeinfrastructureinvestmentshavebeenmadeintheWimmeraSouthernMallee,orareplanned,suchasupgradestoroadsandrailwaylinesortheWimmeraMalleePipeline.Planningforsmallsettlementsshouldhelpthemtakeadvantageofmajorchanges.ThiscouldincludestructureplanningtosetasidelandforindustryandhousingtosupportanewmineorenhancingstreetscapesandtourismusestocreateanewidentityforatownthatmaybebypassedbytheWesternHighwayupgrade.

Land use policies, strategies and actions• Encourageplanningandservicedeliverythattakesaccountof

communitiesofinterestacrossmunicipalandregionalboundariesandsupportsimprovedtransportaccessbetweencloselylinkedsettlements

• Encouragethedevelopmentofintegratedplanningandeconomicdevelopmentpolicytoidentifytailoredstrategiesforindividualsmallsettlements,includingprotectingstrategiclandforgrowth

• Undertakeplanningforsettlementsaffectedbymajorinfrastructuretoassistthemintakingadvantageofopportunities

• Supportongoingupgradestoinfrastructureandnewintegrated,networkedmodelstodelivercommunityservices

• Identifyactionstoenhancestreetscapecharacterandsenseofplace

12.8 Rural settlement

Future directions

• Plan for the supply of rural living opportunities on a regional and sub-regional scale

• Provide for some rural living in appropriate locations where it will not compromise agricultural use, urban settlement, economic or environmental policy objectives

Rurallivingorlifestyleopportunitiesmayattractnewresidentstothehinterlandaroundsettlementsthathaveunder-utilisedinfrastructure.However,rurallivingdevelopmentscanleadtoconflictsbetweenresidentialandagriculturalusesinfarmingareasorexposemorepeopletonaturalhazards.Thisformofhousingcanbeaninefficientuseofland,particularlywhenmanytownsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleecontainvacant,servicedresidentialallotments.

Thecurrentsupplyofrurallivinglandisunevenlydistributedthroughouttheregion.ThelargestareasofRuralLivingZonearefoundaroundmajorcentresintheNorthernGrampiansShireaswellasareasaroundtownssuchasHorsham,WarracknabealandDimboola.

Thepreferredapproachtorurallivingisthatitisonlylocatedwhereitwill:

• benefitexistingsettlementsbyattractingnewresidents

• recogniseexistinglanduseandsubdivisionpatterns

• minimisenaturalhazardsandprotectenvironmentalassets

• notcompromiselong-termgrowthofsettlements

• limittheimpactonagriculturalusesandindustry

• notcompromiseresidentialinfillpolicyinexistingsettlements

• meetaneedfornewsupplywithinthesub-region,notonlythelocalarea.

• Encourageproposalsforruralsettlementtocomplywiththecriteriasetoutinthisplan

• MonitorthesupplyofrurallivinglandtobetterunderstandtheneedsinvariouspartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion

Harrow, West Wimmera Shire, image courtesy of Robert Mason

13. Regional infrastructure

13.1 OverviewTimelyprovisionofinfrastructureandservicesisrequiredtosupportfuturegrowthandchangeoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Thedeliveryofanappropriatesettlementpattern,wherepopulationfluctuationsarebothpredictedandsequenced,isnecessarytoachievesustainablegrowth.Insomeinstances,existingservicesandassetsmayhavetobereviewedtoaccommodatenewlevelsofdemand.

InfrastructuresupportstheliveabilityoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee,connectsittotherestoftheworldandmakesitanattractiveplaceforinvestmentandeconomicdevelopment.Thedistancetolargecitiesmeanspartsoftheregionneedtobeself-sufficient.Conversely,therearesomekeyinfrastructuregapsrelatedtoremotenessandthedispersedpopulation.Thissectionexaminessomeoftheoverarchingregionallanduseandinfrastructureissuesfortheregioninrelationtotransport,socialinfrastructureandutilities.

13.2 Water, energy and utilities

Future directions • Support the provision of appropriate utility servicing infrastructure

to urban settlements throughout the region

• Support infrastructure upgrades that facilitate urban growth, environmental resilience and key economic development initiatives

• Favour development proposals that maximise use of existing infrastructure capacity and minimise the need for infrastructure upgrades or expansion, unless the development provides significant economic or community benefits

Growthintownsandcitieswillresultindemandforadditionalwater,energyandutilityinfrastructure.Efficientuseofexistingsystemsandpreservationandidentificationofutilityinfrastructurecorridorsandurbanlocationhavebeenconsideredaspartofthisplan.Theprojectedpopulationandsettlementpatternfortheregiontakesintoaccountcurrentlyplannedandanticipatedutilities.

PowerOpportunitiesfordiversificationandmodernisationoftheelectricitysupplyexistintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Thiswouldcreatenumerousbenefitssuchas:minimisingtheloadontheexistingnetwork;minimisingtransmissionlosses;providingforlocalneeds;andprovidingacommercialreturntobusinessesintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.EnergyopportunitieshavebeendiscussedindetailinSection10.

Akeysitingissueformediumtolargepowergeneratorsisthelocationandcapacityofthetransmissionnetwork.Largertownsintheregiontendtohavegreaternetworkcapacityduetothepresenceofazonesub-stationandhighervoltagefeederlines.Upgradesmayneedtobeconsideredtosupportspecificproposals.

GasTheavailabilityofreliableandcosteffectiveenergyiscriticalforbusiness.Economicdevelopmentinsomelocationsmaybeconstrainedbyalackofaccesstoenergysourcessuchasreticulatednaturalgas.Gascanbeimportantforcertaintypesofindustry.ReticulatedgasiscurrentlyonlyavailableinHorshamandStawell.Therearenoplanstoincreasecapacityofthegassupplyascurrentinfrastructurehasthecapacitytomeetforeseeableneedsincludinggas-firedpowergeneration.However,thereareexpansionoptionsavailable,ifneeded,foraparticularlargeuser.

Theremaybeanopportunitytoextendreticulatedgaswithintheregiontosupportindustrialdevelopmentorgrowth.PotentiallocationsidentifiedintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeInfrastructureStudy(2012)includetheWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminal,Warracknabeal,DimboolaandNhill.

WaterAsecurewatersupplyisofcriticalimportancegiventhepotentialfordroughttoaffectavailabilityforurbanandruralpurposes.SignificantreformstosupplyinfrastructurehavebeenachievedthroughconstructionoftheWimmeraMalleePipeline.Thepipelineprovidesopportunitiestoincreasesupplytoparticularurbancentrestoaiddevelopmentthroughinterconnectionbetweenpipesorbypipingtreatedwatertotownsthatdonothavetreatmentplants.Increasinglocalstoragevolumeisafurtheropportunityifintermittentlocalcapacitybecomesanissue.

GrampiansWimmeraMalleeWater’sWaterSupplyDemandStrategy(2012)indicatesthatmostoftheregionmayexperienceshortfallsinwatersupplyinaround2035,dependingonhowdrytheconditionsare.Measureshavebeenidentifiedtoaddressthesepotentialshortfalls.Urbanareassuppliedbygroundwatersuppliesgenerallyallhaveadequatesupplybeyondthelifeofthisplan.

AnimportantsupplyissueisthequalityofwateravailabletosometownsinthewesternpartoftheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Anumberoftownsarereliantonborewaterfortheirsupplies.NhillandJeparitwillreceivehigher-qualityreticulatedwaterthroughtheWimmeraMalleePipeline,leavingKanivaastheonlykeylocaltownwithuntreatedwater.Ongoingincrementalupgradestothewatersupplyfortownsacrosstheregionshouldbeencouraged.

Recycledwaterisusedforagricultureandmaintaininggardensandsportingfacilitiesinsometowns.Furtherinvestmentinrecycledwaterinfrastructureissupportedtohelpmanageoverallwaterdemandandensurethatrecreationandlandscapeassetsaremaintainedtoprotecttheliveabilityandamenityoftowns.

Whenintegratedwatercyclestrategies3aredeveloped,thegrowthproposedinthisplanwillneedtobetakenintoaccounttoidentifyanypotentialcapacityandinfrastructureplanningneeds.Furtherconsiderationwillneedtobegiventothelinkbetweentheurbanandruralwatercycleandtheimplicationsofreducedwateravailabilitywhenplanningfornewgrowthanddevelopment.

SewerageAllcentresintheWimmeraSouthernMalleewithpopulationsof500peopleormorehavereticulatedsewerconnectionsbutsomesmallersettlementsarereliantonsepticsystems.Asthemajorcentreforgrowthintheregion,Horshamhasadequateservicingplannedtomeetits2026populationforecast.

Inordertofacilitateadditionalgrowthoninfillsitesandpotentialgrowthareas,expansionoftheregion’ssewersystemswillbeneeded.Somesettlementswithon-sitedisposalsystems,includingRupanyupandGreatWestern,havebeennominatedforprovisionofsewerage.Inadditiontocurrentprogramsforservicingsmallsettlements,itwillbeessentialto

3 Integratedwatercyclestrategieswillbedevelopedbywatercorporationsby2017andwillreplacewatersupplydemandstrategies.Refertothebackgroundreportforfurtherinformation.

maintainseweragecapacityforthelargesttownsintheregiontoallowforfutureexpansion.

Improvedtreatmentofsewerageshouldbeconsideredtoenablerecyclingforenvironmentalorpublicuses.

TelecommunicationsTheNationalBroadbandNetworkisscheduledtoberolledouttotheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionfromDecember2013.Horshamandsurroundingareaswillbepartofthefirstareaconnected.Improvedcapacitywillbevaluableforbusinessandpersonalcommunications.Dimboola,Horsham,Nhill,Stawell,StArnaudandWarracknabealarethemaincentresthatwillbeprovidedwithhard-wiredbroadbandconnectiontoallpremises.

Edenhope,HallsGap,Jeparit,Minyip,MurtoaandRupanyupwillhaveafixedwirelessbroadbandsystemimplemented.Thisfeaturesacentralsatellitereceivingunitintown,whichtransmitsabroadbandsignaltoradiounitsonpremiseswithinthetown.Othercentreswillhaveasatelliteconnectionwithtelephoneservicesreplyingonthecopperwirenetwork.Landuseandinfrastructureplanningfortheregionshouldseektotakeadvantageofenhancedtelecommunications,particularlyinlargercentreswhichhavethebestconnections.

Waste disposal RegionallandfillsarelocatedatDooenandtothesouthofStawell,withothersmallerlandfillfacilitiesintheregionfornon-putresciblewaste.Mostothertownsoperateatransferstation,whichinturnresultsinwastebeingtransportedtoregionallandfillfacilities.Regionallandfillshavecapacityforaround20years.Itisunlikelycapacitywillneedtogrowdramaticallyduetolimitedprojectedpopulationgrowth.

Theregionwillneedtoconsiderhowitwillmanageitswastemanagementandresourcerecoveryactivitiesbeforethecurrentlandfillcapacityisreached.Anyopportunitiestogeneratenewindustriesinthisfieldandtogenerateenergyfromwaste(includinginactivelandfills)shouldbeexploredandsupported.TheopportunitiesforbioenergyproductionwithintheregionarediscussedinSection10.

• Identifykeyregionalprioritiesforimprovedutilities,energyandtelecommunicationsinfrastructureandseekfundingtoimplementtheseprojects

• Promoteinfrastructureplanningthatiscoordinatedwithurbandevelopmentneedsandthekeylocationsforgrowthidentifiedinthisplan

• Prepareadevelopmentcontributionsschemetofundinfrastructureidentifiedbythisplanorotherlocalstrategicplanningasnecessarytosupportgrowth

Kaniva, West Wimmera Shire

13.3 Transport networksThetransportsystemisacriticalfacilitatorofregionalgrowth.Localtransportandinternaltownandcityactivitiesareaddressedinmunicipalandlocalplans.Urbandesignandplace-basedintegrationwithlanduseistheroleoflocalgovernment.Region-wideandinter-regionaltransportsystemsandinfrastructureareconsideredaspartofthisplan.

BusinessandtheregionaleconomyrelyonaneffectivefreightsystemincludingVictoria’sconnectivitytotheAustralia-widesystem.RegionalconnectionstoportfacilitiesinMelbourneandotherhubssuchasPortland,GeelongandHastingsareessential.AirportfacilitiesincludethoseatMelbourneAirport,AvalonAirportandregionalairportssuchasStawellandHorshamthatarediscussedinthisplan.

TheintegrationofmajorlogisticsandfreightprecinctsintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeinconjunctionwiththetransportnetworkhasbeenconsideredwithaviewtothelong-termfreightdemandoftheregion.Thisplanseekstooptimisefreight-relatedactivitiesandsupportefficientandeffectiveoperations.Itseekstoachieveefficienciesandapplysustainablepracticeswhileachievingeconomicandsocialbenefits.Theuseofairportsnowandforthenext30yearshasalsobeenconsidered,alongwithappropriatelanduseandbuffersaroundthesecriticalfacilities.

PeoplelivingintheWimmeraSouthernMalleeundertakeavarietyofactivitieslocallyandwithinotherpartsofVictoria.Thisplanseekstoensureresidentsoftownsandcitieshaveimprovedaccessandconnectivityintheirregionforwork,educationorleisureacrosstheregion.Long-termaccesspatternsarematchedtopopulation,currentplannedinfrastructure,anticipatedservicedemandsandidentifiedemploymentlocations.Thisplanprovidesdirectionsformeetingtheselong-termneedsinresponsetogrowthandchange.

Strategicdecisionsregardinggrowthwillneedtobeawareoftransportconstraintsandopportunities.Indevelopingthisplanitwillbeimportanttomaximisesustainabletransportoptions.

Future directions

• Develop freight and logistics precincts as places to collect and distribute goods

• Understand and ensure efficient ways to transport products between producers and markets

• Improve the capacity, safety and functioning of the transport network

• Ensure access and connectivity

• Provide for a safe, reliable and resilient network

• Consider technological advancements in the transport provision mix

• Ensure amenity and useability

TransportintheWimmeraSouthernMalleewillfacemanychallengesinthefuture.ThefreighttaskisincreasingwhichhasresultedintheneedforanewfreighthubatDooentoreplacetheexistingintermodalfacilityatHorsham.Inthefuture,thisnewfreighthubcouldbeusedforothercommodities,aswellastheregion’smaincommodityofgrain.Despitepopulationchanges,smallersettlementscontinuetorequiretransportinfrastructuretoprovideaccesstoeducation,employmentandfacilitiestolargercentresandothertownswithintheircommunityofinterest.

Theregion’sliveabilityandprosperityisdependentonavarietyoftransport.Currentpolicydirection,localandregionalstrategies,directionsandprojects(investigated,plannedandimplemented)willallcontributetoandsupportfuturegrowth.

Consideringtheimplicationsoftheregion’sfuturegrowthonthetransportnetworkwillbecriticaltoeconomicandsettlementplanning.Detailedbelow,andonMap10,arefuturedirectionsthatmaybeconsideredtosupportgrowthacrosstheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionintothefuture.

Map10: Future directions for transport

Improve the capacity, safety and functioning of the transport network ExistinginfrastructuresuchasWesternHighwayandWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalcanbeharnessedtoensureastrongeconomy.RealignmentofroadandrailroutesthroughHorshammaybeadvantageousintothefuturetoensureafunctionalnetworkforfreightandpassengermovementinandaroundthecentre.Opportunitiestoimprovetransportnetworkcapacityinclude:

• enablingormanagingdiversetravelchoicessuchaswalkingandcyclinglinks

• expandingroadspacethroughwidening,sealedshoulders,duplication,clearwaysandcyclepaths

• enhancingrailcapacity,suchastrackduplication,signallingandlargerrollingstock

• improvingormodifyingthenetworkofpublictransportservicestobettermeetmarketneeds.

Ensure access and connectivityItwillbeimportanttoensureaccessforpeopleandfreightisflexibleandadaptable.Forexample,aHorshambypasscouldprovideadaptableandalternativefreightaccessandimprovedamenityinHorsham’stowncentre.Flexiblepublictransport,suchastheexpansionofcommunitytransportandtakingresourcestothepeople,maybeneededinthefuture.Sometransportimplementationopportunitiesforensuringaccessandconnectivityinclude:

• linkingtheregiontointernationalgateways,ports,airports,statecapitalsandotherregionalcities

• intra-regionalconnectionssuchasregionalcityurbanbusnetworksandlinkstotheirhinterlandandsurroundingsmallcommunities

• aligningthepublictransportnetworktobetterservicedemandaccessibilityforpeopleofallagesandabilitiestopublicandcommunitytransport

• improvedbicycleaccess.

Provide for a safe, reliable and resilient networkHorshamprovideshigherorderservicesandfacilitiestotheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.Thereforethetransportnetworkwillneedtobeabletostanduptomajordisruptiontoensureconnectivitytokeytowns.Sometransportimplementationopportunitiesforprovidingasafe,reliableandresilienttransportnetworkinclude:

• contingencyplansformajordisruptionsduetofloodorbushfire

• maintenanceofexistingandfuturerailandroadinfrastructure

• increasedtrackcapacitytoimprovereliabilityandreducedelays

• identifyandpromotesafetyimprovements.

Consider technological advancements in the transport provision mixTechnologicaladvancements,suchastherolloutoftheNationalBroadbandNetwork,couldmeanthatinthefuturepeopleintheWimmeraSouthernMalleetravellessandmakemoreuseoftechnology.Thisiscurrentlythecaseinthehealthandeducationsectorswithsomeservicesbeingprovidedonline.Thiskindofbehaviourchangecouldcreatecapacityontheexistingtransportnetwork.Opportunitiesforconsideringtechnologicaladvancementscouldalsoinclude:

• accesstotheNationalBroadbandNetwork

• increaseduseofmobileelectronicdevices

• alternativefuelledvehiclesandnewvehicledesigns.

Ensure amenity and useabilityTheWimmeraSouthernMalleetransportnetworkisusedbyavarietyofpeopleforbothbusinessandpleasure.Itwillbeimportanttoensurethenetworkcontinuestobeuseabletoassistwithdiversificationoftheeconomy.Forexample,newtourismopportunitiesmaybeencouragedwiththeuseandexpansionofwalkingandcyclingfacilities,particularlyaroundStawellandtheGrampiansNationalPark.Thefollowingaresomeexamplesoftransportimplementationopportunitiesforensuringamenityanduseability:

• touristroutesforallusers,includingcyclists

• facilitiessuchaswaysiderestareas,signageandinformationhubs

• marketingsuchaspackagetoursfordaytrips.

Develop freight and logistics precincts as places to collect and distribute goodsThepotentialtodevelopafreightandlogisticsprecinctatDooen,thesiteofanewWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminal,mayattractnewindustriesintothefuture.Thiscouldinturncreateaneedtoreviewtransportrequirementstoensureaccessandconnectivityforfreightmovements.Itiscriticalthatanyfuturepotentialdevelopmentsoffreightandlogisticsprecinctsconsiderindustryneeds.

Sometransportimplementationopportunitiesfordevelopingfreightgatewayscouldincludehubsaround:

• airports

• theDooenIntermodalFreightTerminalactingasaninlandport

• activityspecificcentressuchasadistributionwarehouseorprocessingplants.

Understand and ensure efficient ways to transport goods between producers and markets Changestovehicleandfleetcharacteristicsmaymeanthatsmalllocalroadsarenotbeabletocopewithincreasingnumbersofhighervolumetruckstakingproductstoprocessingorexportlocations.Areviewofthelocalroadnetworkandchangestomaintenancefundingandweightrestrictions,forexample,mayneedtobeconsideredintothefuture.Sometransportimplementationopportunitiestoensureefficientwaystotransportgoodsbetweenproducersandmarkets(supplychains)include:

• understandingrelationships,movementsandmodesbetweenthefarm-gate,market,distributioncentresandgatewaysforvariouscommoditiessuchasextractiveindustryandagriculturalproducts

• enhancingroadandraillinkstoprotectamenityandbettersupportaccesstomarketsandtechnologicaladvancements.

Dooen Intermodal Terminal, Horsham Rural City

• Renew,maintainanddeveloptransportinfrastructuretomeetanticipatedpopulationgrowthidentifiedintheurbansettlementframework

• Provideflexibleandadaptablefreightconnectivitytothetransportnetworktocaterforchangesincommoditiestobecarriedandchangestotruckweightsandvolumesorotherlogisticaladvancesintothefuture

• Incorporatefuturedirectionsintoplanningschemesandstructureplanstoensureinfrastructurekeepspacewithchangesindemography,landuse,andwitheconomicandsocialdevelopment

• Setasidelandtofutureproofroadandrailprojectsusingzonesandoverlays

• Maximisethestrategicpositionofthetransportnetworktoencouragesettlementandeconomicgrowth,alongexistingtransportinfrastructure

• Considertheimpactofnewdevelopmentontheroadnetworkandencouragedeveloperstocontributetothecostofimprovingtheconditionandlifeexpectancyofthenetwork

• Usethisplantosupportinfrastructureprojectsintothefuturetoassistwithmanaginggrowth

Stawell Town Hall, image courtesy of Robert Mason

13.4 Social infrastructureSocialservicesthatsupportregionalandruralcommunitiesshouldbeprovidedinanequitablewaysothatcommunitieshaveaccesstotheservicestheyneedataregionallevel.Thedeliveryofservicesneedstobematchedwithboththelocationandtimesequenceofdevelopmentandpopulationgrowth.Thebroadsettlementpatternshouldalsoprovideforcommunityrecreationandleisureactivitiesthatsupportprotectionofvaluedlandscapesandrecreationassetsataregionalscale.

Future directions

• Identify and plan for social infrastructure provision in sequence with residential development

• Encourage social infrastructure that is well located and accessible to residential development, public transport services, employment and educational opportunities

• Support multi-purpose, flexible and adaptable health and education infrastructure that can respond to changing and emerging community needs over time

• Protect the operation of existing and planned health and education/training facilities from conflicting land uses

Social planning and community resilienceSocialinfrastructureincludescommunityfacilities,servicesandnetworksthathelpcommunitiesmeettheirsocialneedsandmaximisetheirpotentialwellbeing.Adesirableregionaloutcomeistoprovidehighqualitysocialfacilitiesandlivingenvironmentsthatmeeteducation,healthcareandlivingneeds.Thiswillsupportresilientandliveablecommunitieswherepeopleenjoyhealthy,happyandproductivelives.

Thisplanrecommendsthatsocialinfrastructureplanningisbasedonastrategicidentificationofneedsandcomplementssettlementplanningaroundcommunitiesofinterest.Socialinfrastructureplanningfortheregionwillencouragesharedusestoimproveefficiencies.

Cooperationbetweenserviceproviderscanprovidecostbenefitsbymaximisingtheuseofsitestoobtainthefullbenefitofcommunityinfrastructure.

Theavailabilityofaccessibleandaffordabletransportisanimportantfactorinaccessingservices,socialandrecreationaloptions,employmentandovercomingisolation.Transportplanningwillalsoneedtobeintegratedwithsocialandsettlementplanning.

Education and skillsEducationandskillsarevitaltotheprosperityoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion.Betterschoolretentionratesandincreasedparticipationinhighereducationwillhavemultiplebenefitsatanindividual,familyandcommunitylevel.

Akeychallengefortheregionistoappropriatelymatchtheskillsoftheworkforcetothechangingeconomicprofile.Whileagricultureisdecliningasasourceofemployment,othersectorssuchashealthandcommunityservicesareforecastinggrowth.Already,thehealthsectorexperiencesdifficultyinrecruitingskilledlabourtotheregionsuchasspecialistgeneralpractitioners,nursingandalliedhealthstaff.Otherpartsofthisplanemphasisetheneedforgoodhousing,transportandfacilitiestoincreasetheattractivenessoftheregiontoprofessionalsandotherqualifiedworkers.

Itwillbeimportantfortheregiontoaddresseducationaldeficienciesandprovideservicesandinfrastructurethatenhancecommunityliveabilityandrespondtopopulationdriftfromtheregion.

Health and wellbeingThebuiltform,economic,socialandnaturalenvironmentsareimportantdimensionsofhealth.ParticularissuesandchallengesimpactingonthehealthoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregionincludetraveldistanceandtransportoptions,variationsintheworkforce,socio-economicstatusandinfrastructure.

Healthplanningfortheregionhasrecognisedtheimportanceofdevelopingahealthcaresystemthatemphasiseshealthpromotionstrategiesandensurestimelyandearlyinterventionwherepossible.

Thiseffortwillbeenhancedby:usingtechnologysuchastelehealth(servicesprovidedremotelyusingvideolinksorothertechnologies);providinggreatersupportforclinicians;enablingconsumerstoparticipateintheirowncare;andencouragingthedeliveryofappropriateandcosteffectivecareclosertopeople’shomes.Thismayreducetheneedtotravelandmitigatesomeofthedisadvantagesassociatedwiththeremotenessoftheregion.

Socialinfrastructureisanimportantenabler.Keyexamplesinclude:

• therecentexpansion/redevelopmentoftheWimmeraBaseHospitalatHorshaminrelationtocorespecialistandclinicalsupportservices

• capitalredevelopment/reconfigurationofcoreinfrastructureatotherhealthproviderlocations

• enhancedinformationtechnologytosupportserviceaccessandintegration.

• Retainandenhancesocialandcommunityfacilitiesinkeypopulationservicecentres,particularlydistricttowns,toensuretheyaresustainableandcancontinuetoattractnewresidents

• Planforpopulationneedsbasedonlocalcommunitiesofinterest

• Planandprovideforthedevelopmentofsocialinfrastructure,includinghospitals,agedcareandeducationfacilities

• Investigatesocialinfrastructureneedsfortheregionandtargetfacilitiestoparticularsettlementswheretheneedisgreatestorplanningidentifiesastrategicdirectiontogrowormaintainthetown

• Integratesocialinfrastructurewithtransportservicesandinfrastructuretomaximiseaccessibility

Horsham Regional Art Gallery

Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE[70] Regional Growth Plan WIMMERASOUTHERNMALLEE

REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

Brambuk - the National Park and Cultural Centre, Halls Gap

This part of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Growth Plan brings together all the elements of the regional land use framework (economy, environment and landscape, settlement and regional infrastructure) to identify the plan for growth and change over the next 30 years. It provides direction on where future growth should occur and has been informed by advice, analysis, investigation and community feedback.

14. Future directions for regional growthPrinciple Key directions Rationale How (see Map 11 for further direction)

1.Growthshouldbeencouragedthroughouttheregiontocreateanetworkofintegratedandprosperoussettlements

• MakeopportunitiesforpopulationandeconomicgrowthavailablethroughouttheWimmeraSouthernMallee

• Supportahighlyconnectednetworkofsettlementsbasedoncommunitiesofinterest

ProvidingforgrowthanddevelopmentthroughouttheWimmeraSouthernMalleewillhelpsupporteconomicdevelopmentandwellbeingoftheregion’sdispersedcommunities.Planningaroundwellconnectedcommunitiesofinterestencouragesreasonableaccesstoservicesandjobswithineachpartoftheregionandparticularlyforsmallsettlements.Thiswillhelpmitigateanyfutureimpactsassociatedwithpopulationdecreasesandrisingenergycosts.

• ReinforcethesettlementnetworkidentifiedonMap11

• Recogniselinkswithkeysettlementsinneighbouringregionsinplanningforgrowthandinfrastructure

• Encouragethedevelopmentofatransportnetworkwhichsupportsconnectivityandaccessbetweensettlements

2.Keycentresshouldbeafocustomanagepopulationchangeandaccesstoservices

• Focusurbandevelopmentandcommunityfacilitiesinexistingsettlements

• PlanforHorshamandtheregion’sdistricttownstoactasfocalpointsfordevelopmentandprovidefacilitiestosmallerneighbouringcommunities

Theregion’slargesttowns,whichhavegoodconnectionstosurroundingareas,willactasfocalpointsfordevelopmentandprovidefacilitiestosmallerneighbouringcommunities.Thenominationofkeyhubtownsforeachcommunityofinterestwillbeimportanttoprovidecentreswithacriticalpopulationmassforthedeliveryofservices,facilitiesandattractionofnewresidentsorindustry.

• ReinforcethesettlementnetworkidentifiedonMap11

• Ensureanongoingsupplyofinfillandgreenfieldresidentiallandisavailable,particularlyinHorshamanddistricttowns

3.Ecologicalhealthandrurallandscapesshouldbeenhanced

• Protectregionallysignificantenvironmentalassets

• Encouragegreaterconnectivitybetweenareasofmediumtohighnaturalvalue

• Identifyandprotecttheregion’ssignificantlandscapes

Theprosperityoftheregion,withitsagriculturalbaseandhighlevelsofliveability,reliesonahealthyandsustainablenaturalenvironment.Theprotectionoftheenvironmentandsignificantlandscapesarealsoimportantgiventheirvaluefornaturalbeauty,liveabilityandvisitorexperience.

• Provideaconsistentapproachtoplanningprovisionsaffectingenvironmentalassetsacrosstheregion

• Directurbansettlementtoexistingtownsandruralactivitiestoappropriatelocations

• EstablishareasofincreasedlandscapeconnectivitybetweenhighvalueenvironmentalassetsidentifiedonMap11

• Investigateandprotectsignificantlandscapes

PART D REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

PART D | REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

Principle Key directions Rationale How (see Map 11 for further direction)

4.Keyagriculturalresourcesshouldbeprotected,productivitymaintained,andthedevelopmentofindustrysupported

• Protectlandandenvironmentalresourceswhichmakeasignificantcontributiontotheregion’sagriculturalproductivity

• Encouragediversificationofagriculturalproductionwhichtakesadvantageofnaturalandinfrastructureassets

• Supportlocalindustries,activitiesandinfrastructurewhichcomplementandenhancetheregion’sagriculturalsector

Agricultureisprojectedtoremainthekeyeconomicdriveroftheregion.Protectionoflandandwaterresourcesandsupportforagriculturalproductivityimprovementswillenhancetheregion’seconomicbaseandmeetgrowingexportdemands.Opportunitiestobuildontheagriculturalindustrywillbesupportedbyencouragingarangeofrelatedactivitiessuchasvalueaddingindustry,newcommodities,specialistservices,researchandeducationandimprovedtransportconnectionstoexportmarkets.

• DirecturbansettlementtoexistingtownsidentifiedonMap11

• Planforruralresidentialdevelopmentonaregionalscaleanddirectittoappropriatelocations

• Encourageintensiveagriculture,particularlyinareasoutlinedonMap11

• Investigateimprovementstotransportandservicinginfrastructure

5.Theregion’sassetsshouldbeusedtofacilitatethediversificationoftheeconomyandbuildaresilientcommunity

• Encouragediversificationoftheregionaleconomythroughbuildingontheregion’sassets,particularlyagriculture,tourism,andnaturalresourcessuchasenergy,sandandstoneandminerals

• Providecommercial,retailandindustrialopportunitieswithineachcommunityofinterest

Theregion’seconomyisheavilyreliantonbroadacrefarming.Diversificationwillcreateamorerobusteconomy,protectjobsandencouragepopulationgrowth.Thefeaturesoftheregionprovideabasistodrivefuturegrowth,includingitsextensivelandarea,agriculturalclusters,environmentalassets,newfreightterminalandpipeline.

• CapitaliseontheeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesidentifiedonMap11

• PromoteHallsGapastheregion’stourismfocalpoint

• SupportthedevelopmentofDooenasafreightandindustrygateway

• Ensureanongoingsupplyofindustriallandisavailable,particularlyinHorshamanddistricttowns

• SupporttheregionalroleofHorshamcentralactivitiesdistrictinprovidinghigherordercommercialandretailservices

• Encouragemeasureswhichmakesmallsettlementsmoreadaptableandresilient

• Investigateimprovementstotransportandservicinginfrastructure

6.Planningshouldsupportadaptationtochangesinclimate

• Planforthepotentialeconomicandsocialimpactsofclimatechange

• Managetherisksassociatedwithnaturalhazards

Theregion’seconomyisheavilydependentonclimaticconditions.Settlementandgrowthplanningcanensuredevelopmentandinfrastructureareplannedtominimisetheexposuretobushfireandfloodhazards.

• Provideforflexibleapproachestorurallanduseandinfrastructurewhichsupportatransitionofagriculturalactivitiesovertime

• Maximiseuseofsecurewatersuppliestodeveloptheregion’seconomy

• ProtecthighvalueenvironmentalassetsshownonMap11andestablishareasofincreasedlandscapeconnectivitybetweenthem

• Supportthedevelopmentoflocallygeneratedrenewableenergy,includingthebioenergyclustersoutlinedonMap11

• Growthisplannedhavingregardtofloodandbushfirehazards

REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN | PART D

Principle Key directions Rationale How (see Map 11 for further direction)

7.Thedevelopmentofdistinctsettlementsshouldbesupportedtocreatehealthy,attractiveandliveablecommunities

• Supportliveablecommunitiesthroughthedevelopmentofarangeofhousing,qualityurbandesignandaccesstocommunityfacilities

• Protectthosevaluedcharacteristicsoftownswhichmakethemuniqueandliveable

Planningcanhelpcreateconditionswhichsupportandencouragedistinctivelifestyleopportunitiesandnichebusinessesacrosstheregiontoattractarangeofnewresidents,businessesandvisitors.

• Provideforeasyaccesstohousing,education,employmentandcommunityfacilities,particularlyinHorshamanddistricttowns

• Encouragetheprovisionofserviceinfrastructuretosupportgrowth

• Supportopportunitiestoincreasehousingchoice

• Investigateandprotecttheregion’svaluedurbancharacterandculturalheritageassets

8.Opportunitiesforgrowthshouldbeidentifiedtofacilitateappropriatelocaldevelopment

• PromoteapositiveandadaptableapproachtoplanningfortheWimmeraSouthernMallee

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanprovidesthemeanstotakeamoreproactiveapproachtoplanningbyidentifyingsignificantopportunitiesforchangeandgrowth.Aflexibleapproachwillberequiredtotakeadvantageofinvestmentopportunitiesastheyarise.

• Pursueopportunitiesforlandusechangetosupportgrowth,includingthoseidentifiedonMap11

• Monitorthesupplyofresidentialandindustriallandandprovideforadditionallandasrequired

• Monitorandadaptthisplanandlocalplanningschemestorespondtochangingcircumstances

9.Infrastructurerequiredtosupportgrowthshouldbeidentified

• Supportservicinginfrastructurethatfacilitatesurbangrowth,environmentalresilienceandeconomicdevelopment

• Encouragesocialinfrastructurethatiswelllocated,flexibleandaccessible

• Integrateplanningforfreightandpassengertransportwiththelandusedirectionsofthisplan

Infrastructurecanhelpsupporttheeconomicandresidentialgrowthoftheregionandfacilitatelanduseinitiativesoftheplan.Thiswillincludetransport,utilityandsocialinfrastructure.

• Encourageinfrastructurewhichenhancestheliveabilityandattractivenessoftheregiontoresidentsandbusinesses

• Locategrowthanddevelopmentinexistingcentrestomaximiseefficientuseofexistinginfrastructure

• Investigateinfrastructureneedstofacilitateeconomicandpopulationgrowthinidentifiedlocations

PART D | REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN

Map11: Regional land use strategy

REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN | PART D

PART E | DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH

Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE76

Northern Grampians Shire, image courtesy of Planisphere

15. Implementation

TheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanwillprovidecouncilsintheregionwithaclearerregionallandusecontexttoinformandinfluencefuturelocalstrategicplanning,schemeamendmentsandlocaldecisions.Asthisplanindicatespreferredlocationsforfutureurbandevelopmentandvaluedareasforprotectionitcanbeusedasahighlevelcontextforregionalandlocalinfrastructureplanningandinvestment.

Thisplanestablishesacontextforgrowthandsettlementplanningwhichcaninformandassistinframeworksfortownandcitygrowthplansandinfrastructurerequirements.Thismoredetailedlevelofplanningwillcontinueinpartnershipbetweenlocalandstateplanningauthorities.Carefulmonitoringofurbanprojects,landdevelopmentandpopulationchangewillbeestablishedduringthelifeoftheplantoassistitsdelivery.

Implementationofthisplaniscriticaltoachieveitsstrategicdirectionsforgrowthandchange.Short-termimplementationprioritiesinclude:

• amendingplanningschemestoincludekeyelementsoftheplan

• identifyinginfrastructureneededtofacilitatelandusedirectionsoftheplan

• whererequired,facilitatingfurtherdetailedworkandinvestigationsasidentifiedintheplan.

15.1 Planning schemesTheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanwillhavestatusaspartoftheVictoriaPlanningProvisionsandplanningschemes.Itskeyplanningdirectionswillbeimplementedthroughcouncilplanningschemes.Itwillbeusedtoguideandinformfuturestrategicplanningworkacrosstheregion,includingfuturereviewsofeachcouncil’splanningschemeandhelpprovidejustificationforplanningschemeamendments.

Theregion’scouncilswillworkinpartnershipwithstategovernmenttofacilitatetherequiredplanningschemeamendmentprocessandcontentasanimmediatepriority.

AnAdvisoryCommitteehasbeenappointedtoconductareviewoftheStatePlanningPolicyFrameworkinordertodeliverregionalgrowthplansandothermajorplanningpolicies,suchasthemetropolitanplanningstrategy,Plan Melbourne.

15.2 Links to Regional Strategic Plan ImplementationThisplanhascloselinkstothestrategicframeworkestablishedbytheregionalstrategicplan.Implementationwillbecoordinatedwithongoingworkbeingundertakenbycouncils,stateandfederalgovernmentsandtheRegionalDevelopmentAustraliaGrampiansCommitteetoprogressthestrategicdirectionsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalPlan.Thiswillensurethatcommonobjectivescanberealisedandthatfundingisdirectedtowardsthehighestprioritiesfortheregion.

TheregionalgrowthplanwillinformanysubsequentreviewoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalPlan.

PART E DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH

15.3 Infrastructure planningOngoingimprovementstotheregion’sinfrastructurewillbecriticaltoimplementationofthefuturedirectionsinthisplan.Councils,governmentandotheragenciesshouldusethisplanasabasistoinformfutureplanningforinfrastructureprojects,particularlythosewhichdeliverregionaloutcomes.TheVictorianGovernmentisalsoworkingwithInfrastructureAustraliaandtheAustralianGovernmenttodevelopkeyregionalinfrastructure.

Thekeyopportunitiestoimplementtheplanthroughinfrastructuredevelopmentaresetoutbelow,includingsomeexamplesofcurrentplannedprojects:

• Improvedconnectivityandaccesstotheregionandaroundtheregion.ThisincludestheongoingduplicationofandimprovementstotheWesternHighwayandplanningforaHorshambypass.

• Providingforenhancedfreightdistributiontomarkets,suchasthedevelopmentoftheWimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminalandGreenTriangleFreightTransportProgram.

• Ongoingupgradestoandprovisionofutilitiesinfrastructuretosupportproposedurbangrowthandeconomicdevelopmentinitiatives,particularlyintheregionalcity,districttownsandtownsidentifiedintheregionalsettlementframework.

• Thedevelopmentofmorediverseproductiverurallanduses,suchasintensiveagriculture.

• Thedevelopmentofinfrastructurewhichsupportsdiversificationofenergygenerationandsupply.

• Provisionofsocialandcommunityinfrastructurewhichsupporttheregion’scommunitiesofinterestandprovideforsocialresilience.ResidentsshouldhaveaccesstoarangeofhighqualityfacilitiesliketheWimmeraCommunityServicesCentre,particularlyintheregionalcity,districttownsandtownsidentifiedintheregionalsettlementframework.

• Infrastructurewhichenhancestheliveabilityofsettlementsandtheregionandhelpsretainandattractskilledworkers,suchastheupgradetotheHorshamTownHallasaregionaleventsvenue.

• Infrastructuretosupporttourismopportunities,particularlyaroundtheregion’skeyenvironmentalassets,forexampletheGrampiansPeaksTrail.

Infrastructuredevelopmentswhichcoordinatewithlanduseplanninginitiativesoutlinedinthisplanshouldbegivenpriority.

15.4 Key implementation actionsPartCoftheplandetailsawiderangeoflandusepolicies,strategiesandactionswhichwillhelpimplementthefuturedirectionsforeachtopic.Someoftheseactionsarequitespecificmeasures;somerequirefurtherinvestigation;othersarematterstobeaddressedonanasneedsbasiswhenplanningpermitapplicationsorplanningschemeamendmentsarebeingpreparedandconsidered.

Thefollowingtablegroupstheseactionsintoninecategoriesforthepurposesofdetailinghowandwhenimplementationoftheplanwilloccur.

DELIVERING REGIONAL GROWTH | PART E

Category Partners Timing 4 Actions

Planningschemes

1.IncludetheWimmeraSouthernMalleeRegionalGrowthPlanintheVictoriaPlanningProvisions

DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructure

Shortterm • DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructuretoimplementtheregionalgrowthplanintotheVictoriaPlanningProvisions

2.Updatestolocalplanningpolicyframeworkstorecognisethedirectionsofthisplan

DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructure,otherauthoritiesandcouncils

Short-mediumterm

• Councilstoupdatelocalplanningpoliciestoincludereferencestothedirectionswithintheplan

• Councilstoundertakefurtherstrategicworkandpolicydevelopmenttoimplementspecificdirectionsandpolicywithintheplan

• DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructureandotherauthoritiestosupportcouncilstoimplementcrossboundarystrategicplans/policies

Developmentproposals

3.Implementationoccursthroughongoinglanduseanddevelopmentproposals

Councilsanddevelopmentproponents

Ongoing • Councilsanddevelopmentproponentstousethisplantofacilitatedevelopmentproposalsthatadvancethedirectionsintheplan

4.Directinvestmentandkeyfacilitiesandservicestocentresinaccordancewithsettlementnetwork

Stategovernmentagencies,councilsanddevelopmentproponents

Ongoing • Councils,developmentproponentsandbusinessestoadvanceinvestmentintofacilitiesandservicesinaccordancewiththedirectionsoftheplan

Landsupply

5.Monitorland DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructure–monitoring

Ongoing • DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructurethroughtheUrbanDevelopmentProgramistocontinuetosupportcouncilsbyprovidinginformationonresidentialandindustriallandsupply

6.Provideland Councils–landsupply Ongoing • Councilstoensurethereisasufficientsupplyoflandforresidentialcommercial,retail,industrial,recreational,institutionalandothercommunityuses

Infrastructure

7.Provideinfrastructuretosupportlanduseanddevelopment

DepartmentofTransport,PlanningandLocalInfrastructure,councils,waterauthorities,energyauthorities

Ongoing • Stategovernmentandauthoritiestoplanandseekfundingtosupportenhancementstoorthedevelopmentofinfrastructurethathelpsimplementthedirectionsofthisplan

8.Makeinformationavailabletosupportdecisionmaking

Stategovernmentagencies,catchmentmanagementauthorities,councils

Short-mediumterm

• Authoritiestomapkeyassetsoftheregionforaccessbystakeholders

• Authoritiestoexchangedataandmappingtoenableplanningdecisionstobemadebasedonthebestavailableinformation

Otherprocesses

9.Ensurethedirectionsofthisplanarereflectedinotheragencies’planningprocesses

Stategovernmentagencies,catchmentmanagementauthorities,councils

Ongoing • Consideringthedirectionsoftheplaninfuturereviewsofandupdatestotheregionalstrategicplanandregionalcatchmentstrategies

4 Shortterm:1-4years,Mediumterm:5-10years

15.5 Performance, monitoring and reviewTheplanisalivingandadaptableplan,abletorespondtonewdataandinformationasitarises,includinginformationfromstateorregionalstrategiesandprograms.Itwillbereviewedonafour-tofive-yearcycle.

Theregionundertakesregularreportingonprogressinimplementingtheregionalstrategicplan.Itisrecommendedthatthisprocessalsobeusedtomonitorimplementationofthisplan.ThiswouldtaketheformofdescriptionandanalysisofwhatworkhasbeenundertakentoprogresseachofthekeydirectionssetoutinPartD.Thisanalysiswouldalsosuggestfutureworkprioritiestofurthertheimplementationoftheplan.Anexampleofhowthismightbeundertakenissetoutbelow.

ActivityPossible performance measures Partners Reporting

1.Undertakestrategicwork(includingresearchanddevelopment)

Evidenceofthedevelopment,adoptionandimplementationofstrategicprojectsthatadvancethedirectionsandthemeswithintheplan

CouncilsAuthoritiesBusinessesStategovernment

Stategovernmentandcouncilstocompileaprogressreportevery12months

2.Undertakeplanningschemeamendments

Evidenceofthedevelopment,adoptionandimplementationofplanningschemeamendmentsthatadvancethedirectionsandthemesoftheplan

Councils Stategovernmenttocompileaprogressreportevery12months

3.Collaborationonstrategicwork/projects

Evidenceofcollaborationthatadvancesthedirectionsandthemesoftheplan

Stategovernmenttocompileaprogressreportevery12months

4.Requestfunds Evidenceofprojectsthathavebeenfundedtoadvancethedirectionsandthemesoftheplan

Stategovernmenttocompileaprogressreportevery12months

5.Developinnovativeandflexibleservicedeliverymodels

Evidenceofservicedelivery(includinginfrastructure)thatimprovesoutcomesforcommunitiesandtakesintoaccountthecommunitiesofinterestmodel

Stategovernmentwithsupportofcouncilsandbusinessestocompileaprogressreportevery12months

Aboriginalculturalheritage:meansAboriginalplaces,AboriginalobjectsandAboriginalhumanremains.TheytellthestoryofAboriginaluseandoccupationoftheland.AnAboriginalplacecanbeanareaoflandorwater,anaturalfeature,formationorlandscape,anarchaeologicalsite,aswellasabuildingorstructure.Aboriginalculturalheritagealsoincludesintangibleplaceswheretheremaybenophysicalevidenceofpastculturalactivities.Theseincludeplacesofspiritualorceremonialsignificance,placeswheretraditionalplantormineralresourcesoccur,ortradeandtravelroutes.

Bioenergy:energygeneratedfromorganicmatter,suchasagriculturalwaste.

Carbonfarming:amethodofallowingfarmersandlandmanagerstoearncarboncreditsbystoringcarbonorreducinggreenhousegasemissionsontheland.

Communityofinterest:agroupofsettlementsthathavestrongfunctionalsocialandeconomicinterrelationshipsandsharefacilitiesandservices.

Culturalheritage:capturesbothAboriginalculturalheritageandhistoricheritage.

Earthresources:thesecompriseminerals,petroleum,gas,extractiveandgeothermalindustries.

Environmentalasset:atangiblebio-physicalelementoftheenvironment,suchasterrestrialhabitat,waterways,significantlandscapesandsoils.

Environmentalvalue:theattributesofanenvironmentalassetthatmakeitvaluableorimportantbasedonenvironmental,socialoreconomicvalues.

ExtractiveIndustryInterestArea(EIIA):identifiedareasaroundmajorcentresinVictoriawhereitispossiblethataquarrycouldbeplacedwithindefinedconstraints.

Freightandlogisticprecincts:placeswherelargevolumesoffreightarereceived,storedanddispatched.Theseprecinctsmaysupportport,airportorrailandroadintermodalterminalsandmayincludemanufacturingactivity,warehousesanddistributioncentreswithinthebroaderprecinctofcomplementaryfreightandfreight-relatedactivities.

Greenfieldland:non-urbanlanddesignatedforfutureurbandevelopment.

Higherorderservices:servicesthatareonlyprovidedinalimitednumberoflocationsandhavealargecatchmentarea,suchasauniversityordepartmentstore.

Historicheritage:referstothefabricofourpastthatwevaluetodayandincludesarchaeologicalsites,buildingsandprecincts,structures,gardens,trees,cemeteries,culturallandscapes,shipwrecksandsignificantobjectsandartefacts.

Horshamcentralactivitiesdistrict:thebusinesscentreofHorshamcomprisingthekeyretail,commercial,communityandcivicfunctionsofthecity.

Housingdiversity:theprovisionofarangeofdifferenthousingtypestosuitdifferentages,lifestylesandincomes.

Housingstress:wherethecostofhousingishighrelativetohouseholdincome.

Increasedlandscapeconnectivity:broadcorridorsofvegetationwhichhavebeenestablishedtoconnectareasofhighnaturalvaluesuchasnationalparks.

Industryoragriculturalclusters:geographicconcentrationofbusinessesandactivitiesthatrelatetoeachotherorworktogether.

Infilldevelopment:thedevelopmentofadditionaldwellingsinestablishedurbanareas.

GLOSSARY

82 Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE

GLOSSARY

Intensiveagriculture:landusedtointensivelyproduceagriculturalproducts,throughventuressuchaspoultryfarms,piggeries,feedlots,aquaculture,hydroponics,greenhousesandglasshouses.Thisincludes‘intensiveanimalhusbandry’andintensive‘cropraising’asdefinedinplanningschemes.

Mixedusedevelopment:adevelopmentwhichintegratestwoormoreuses,suchashousingandretail.

NationalBroadbandNetwork(NBN):highspeedinternetnetworkbeingprovidedacrossAustralia.

Naturalhazard:anaturallyoccurringsourceofpotentialharmorasituationwiththepotentialtocauseloss,forexamplebushfireorflood.

Naturalresources:naturallyoccurringcommoditiessuchasoil,gas,sandandstone,minerals,fisheries,timberorplacesofsolarorgeothermalenergypotential.

Nature-basedtourism:anyactivitythatreliesonexperiencesdirectlyrelatedtonaturalattractionsincludingecotourism,adventuretourism,wildlifetourismandextractivetourism,forexample,fishingorgoldpanning.

Overlays:planningschemeprovisionsgenerallyrelatedtoaparticularissue,suchasheritageorflooding.

Planningscheme:policiesandprovisionsfortheuse,developmentandprotectionoflandpreparedbycouncilsortheMinisterforPlanning.

Regionalcatchmentstrategy:adocumentsettingoutthemanagementofnaturalresources,suchasrivers,wetlands,terrestrialhabitatandagriculturalland.

Regionalcities:the10largestcitiesoutsidemetropolitanMelbourne(Ballarat,Bendigo,Geelong,Horsham,Latrobe,Mildura,Shepparton,Warrnambool,WangarattaandWodonga).TherelevantmunicipalitiesarerepresentedbytheRegionalCitiesVictoriagroupandtogethertheyadvocateawhole-of-governmentapproachtodeliveringservicesandinfrastructure.

RegisteredAboriginalParty:representsAboriginalpeopleinthemanagementandprotectionofAboriginalculturalheritage.

Ruralareas:includeareasoutsideurbanareas.Theycanincludefarmingandnon-farminglanduses,suchasruralresidential,extractiveindustry,andopenspace.Insomecasesruralareasmayincludeverysmallruralsettlements.

Rurallanduse:abroadtermrepresentingtheuseoflandoutsideurbanareasandincludesactivitiessuchasagriculture,ruralliving,forestryandextractiveindustry.

Ruralliving:landinaruralsettingwhichisusedanddevelopedfordwellingsthatarenotprimarilyassociatedwithagriculture.

Sensitiveuses:landuseswhichhavehighamenityexpectationssuchashousing,schoolsorhospitals.

Socialinfrastructure:includescommunityfacilities,services,andnetworksthathelpcommunitiesmeettheirsocialneedsandmaximisetheirpotentialwellbeingsuchas,sportsandrecreationfacilities,schoolsandhospitals.

Terrestrialhabitats:combinationsofbiologicalandphysicalfeaturesofthelandscape(includingnativevegetation,fallentimberandlitter,soil,rocks,etc)thatenablepopulationsofeachnativeplanoranimalspecies(orgroupofspecies)toliveandreproduce.Featurescanbeconsideredatthesitescale,forexample,thefoodsourcesusesbyindividuals,andthelandscapescale,forexample,thelinkagesusedformovementbetweenareas,ortherefugesusedtocopewithdisturbanceevents.

Towncentre:theareacomprisingthecorecommercial,civicandcommunityfunctionsofatown.

WimmeraIntermodalFreightTerminal:akeyrailandroadfreightdistributionfacilitylocatedatDooen.

WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN · 6. Snapshot of the region 9 7. Drivers of change...

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