WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN · 6. Snapshot of the region 9 7. Drivers of change...
Transcript of 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
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
CONTENTS
Figures
Figure1:Projectedpopulationchangebymunicipality 9
Figure2:Projectedchangestothepopulation oftheregion2011-2031 14
Figure3:Projectedchangeinpopulationandnumber ofdwellings2011-2031 40
Figure4:WimmeraSouthernMalleesettlementnetwork andcharacteristics 43
Maps
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.
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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
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Stawell, Northern Grampians Shire
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PART A | INTRODUCTION
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
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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:
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Map1: The eight regional growth plans
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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.
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3. How this plan will be usedThekeylanduseplanningdirectionsoftheplanwillbeimplementedthroughthestateplanningsystemasitisappliedbyeachcouncilintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Thiswillsupportdecision-makingatalocallevel.
Implementationwilloccurinanumberofways,suchasfurtherspecificamendmentstoplanningschemes,preparationofinfrastructureplans,landsupplymonitoringandotherprojects.
TheplanwillbeusedtoguideandinformfuturelanduseplanningworkacrosstheWimmeraSouthernMallee,includingsubsequentreviewsofeachcouncil’sMunicipalStrategicStatement.
Scott Street, Warracknabeal
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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
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
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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.
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REGIONAL OVERVIEW | PART B
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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
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Map3: Links to surrounding regions
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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REGIONAL OVERVIEW | PART B
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Map4: Regional strategic assets
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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.
4,000
2011
2031
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
0–4
5 to
910
to 1
415
to 1
920
to 2
425
to 2
930
to 3
435
to 3
940
to 4
445
to 4
950
to 5
455
to 5
960
to 6
465
to 6
970
to 7
4
80 to
84
85 o
r olde
r
75 to
79
Age Groups
Source: Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria in Future 2012
Figure2: Projected changes to the population of the region 2011–2031
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
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PART B | REGIONAL OVERVIEW
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
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REGIONAL OVERVIEW | PART B
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
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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
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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.
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
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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.
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encourageindustrytobeseparatedfromsensitiveuses
• Supportindustrygrowthindesignatedlocationsthroughplanningschemes
• Undertakeregularreviewsofthedemandfor,andsupplyof,industriallandacrossdifferenteconomicsectorsandrespondtothefindingsbyprovidingadditionalindustriallandinappropriatelocations
• Supporttheprovisionofappropriateandtimelyinfrastructuretohelpexpandexistingindustriesandestablishnewindustries
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Providefortheexpansionofenergysupplyinfrastructurewhereitisfeasibleandwouldsupporttheestablishmentofnewindustryortheexpansionofexistingindustry
• Encouragelocalenergygenerationtohelpdiversifythelocaleconomyandimprovesustainabilityoutcomes
• Supportthedevelopmentofenergyfacilitiesbutensuretheyarelocatedtominimiseconflictswithidentifiedenvironmentalassets,residentialareasandthetransportnetwork
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Map6: Strategic energy opportunities
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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
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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.
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NewdevelopmentinHallsGapneedstobeundertakeninanenvironmentallysensitivemannerinkeepingwiththeenvironmentalandculturalvaluesofitssetting.Developmentmustensurebushfirehazardsaremanagedtoanacceptableleveltoprotectlifeandproperty.
AreviewofplanningprovisionsapplyingtoHallsGapandtolandinproximitytothepark,withreferencetothefindingsoftheStawell-Ararat-HallsGapruralzonesreview,isnecessarysothatappropriatecontrolsandguidanceareinplacetoprotectenvironmentalandculturalvalues.
Opportunitiestoenhancetouristfacilitiesandactivitiessurroundingthepark,throughpublicandprivateinvestment,willbesupported.Opportunitiesincludeactivitiescomplementarytonature-basedtourism,conferencefacilitiesandhigherendtouristaccommodation.ProjectssuchasaproposedtouristroutearoundtheGrampiansNationalPark(theGrampiansWayRingRoad)andwalkingtrailthroughtheNationalPark(GrampiansPeaksTrail)wouldhelppromoteincreaseddispersalofvisitationwithintheregion.
NearbyareascanalsorefineanddeveloptheirtourismproducttocomplementtheGrampians.Forexample,theWartookValleymayprovideopportunitiesonthenorthernsideoftheGrampianswhilethefuturehighwaybypassofGreatWesternprovidesthechancetoenhancethetown’scharacteranditsidentityasacentreforwinetourism.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Guideinfrastructureinvestmenttosupporttourismwhereopportunitieshavebeenidentified
• Providesupportinplanningschemesforadiverserangeoftourismdevelopmentonprivateland,particularlyindesignatedlocationswheretheywill:
• haveaccesstosettlements,transportinfrastructureandotherservices
• becompatiblewithenvironmentalandculturalassetsandvalues
• linkwithnearbyenvironmentalassets
• notbeexposedtounacceptablebushfirerisk
• operateinconjunctionwithagriculturalactivitiesandbelocatedawayfromintensiveagricultureandmining
• EncourageplanningschemestorecogniseandprotectregionallysignificantnaturalattractionssuchastheGrampians,LittleDesertandWyperfeldnationalparks
• Encourageresidentialgrowthnottobedirectedtoareaswheretourismdevelopmentsshouldbegivenpriority,tosupportthelocaleconomy
• EncouragefurtherdevelopmentoftourismrelatedtothewineindustryatGreatWesternandnature-basedtourismaroundkeyattractionssuchastheGrampiansNationalPark,LittleDesertNationalPark,majorlakesandculturalheritagesites
• ImplementthefindingsoftheStawell-Ararat-HallsGapruralzonesreview(jointlypreparedbyAraratRuralCityCouncilandNorthernGrampiansShireCouncil)toprovideopportunitiesforuseswhichwillcomplementthetourismofferofthisarea
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encouragecommercialservicestobeprovidedtotownscommensuratewiththeirroleintheregionalsettlementnetwork
• Supportcommerciallandusesindesignatedlocationsthroughpolicydirectionandbyprovidingsufficient,appropriatelyzonedland,inplanningschemes
• Supporttheconsolidationofprimecommercialactivitieswithintowncentres
• Undertakeregularreviewsofthedemandfor,andsupplyof,businesslandandrespondtothefindingsbyprovidingadditionalcommerciallandinappropriatelocations
• ImplementtherecommendationsoftheHorshamcentralactivitiesdistrictstrategy
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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.
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Map7: Environment and heritage future directions
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• SupportthepreparationofalandscapeassessmentstudyforthosepartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleenotcoveredbytheSouthWestLandscapeAssessmentstudy
• Planningschemestorecogniseandprotectsignificantlandscapestomaintaintheamenityoftheregionforresidentsandvisitors,andpromotetheeconomiccontributiontheymaketotheregion
• Undertakeheritageassessmentsacrossalllocalgovernmentareasintheregionandensureheritageassetsareidentifiedinandprotectedbyplanningschemes
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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
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encouragegrowthandinvestigationareasinlocalplanningstrategiestoprovideongoingprotectionofregionalwaterassetsandapplywatersensitiveurbandesign
• Consistentlyapplyplanningtoolstorecognisetheimportanceofwaterassetsinachievingbeneficialsocial,economicandenvironmentaloutcomes,andfacilitatetheeconomicopportunitiespresentedbytheWimmeraMalleePipeline
• ConsistentlyapplyplanningtoolstorecognisethethreatstotheconditionofwaterwaysintheuppercatchmentoftheWimmeraRiversystem.Considerationshouldbegiventoapplyingoverlaystocertainareastoaddressspecificthreats,wherewarranted,andwhereinformationisavailable
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Soils
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encouragenaturalresourcemanagementstrategicplanningtoconsidertheimplicationsoflanduseplanning,suchasregionalsoilhealthplans,whenidentifyingstrategiclocationsforvegetationplanting
• Recognisetheimportanceofsoilhealthinlocalplanningpoliciesforthelong-termprosperityofagricultureintheWimmeraSouthernMallee.Policieswillenablethecarefulmanagementoflanduseanddevelopmenttoencourageimprovementsinsoilhealth
• Assesstheimplicationsforsoilhealthwhenconsideringdevelopmentproposalsordesignatingareasforlandusechangesothatsustainablesoilmanagementoutcomesareachieved.Thisappliesparticularlytousessuchaslivestockfeedlots,whichcanleadtosignificantsoilhealthdeclineifnotappropriatelymanaged
• Applyplanningtoolsconsistentlytoaddressparticularsoilmanagementissues,suchasapplyingtheErosionManagementOverlaytoareaspronetoerosionorlandslipinthevicinityoftheGrampiansNationalPark.TheSalinityManagementOverlayshouldbeappliedtoareasaffectedbysalinityintheupperandlowersectionsoftheWimmeraRivercatchment
• Undertakestudies,wherenecessary,toidentifyareassubjecttoparticularsoilmanagementissuessuchaslandslipanderosion,wheresuchissuesmaywarranttheapplicationofoverlaycontrols.Inadditiontocurrentknowledge,worktowardsreducingthenumberofareaswheresoilqualityisunknown
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11.3 Natural hazards and risks
Flood
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Supportfurtherfloodplainstudies,wherenecessary,tobetterinformdecisionsregardinggrowthincludingforthecomplexfloodplainoftheWimmeraRiveratHorshamandtownsintheuppercatchmentwhererisksofflashfloodingaregreatest
• Applyappropriatezoneandoverlaycontrolsassoonaspossibleafterfloodstudieshavebeencompleted.Detailedmappingandadviceoninterpretationofdatashouldbeprovidedtocouncilstoassistintheirplanningdecisions
• Useplanningschemestoprotectlife,infrastructureassetsandpropertyfromfloodeventswithinfloodhazardareas,particularlyforthosetownsshownonMap7
• Directnewgrowthanddevelopmenttolandoutsidefloodhazardareas
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Directdevelopmenttolocationsoflowerbushfirerisk
• Carefullyconsiderdevelopmentinlocationswherethereissignificantbushfireriskthatcannotbeavoided
• Avoiddevelopmentinlocationsofextremebushfirerisk
• Avoidareaswhereplannedbushfireprotectionmeasuresmaybeincompatiblewithotherenvironmentalobjectives
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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
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
-1,000
500
-500
0
Source: Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria in Future 2012
Figure3: Projected change in population and number of dwellings 2011-2031
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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.
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
Map8:Strategic settlement framework plan – communities of interest
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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� TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN��|��PART�C
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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
Towns
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
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
Liveable communitiesInordertoencouragepeopletotheWimmeraSouthernMalleeitisessentialthaturbansettlementsarehighlyliveableplaces.Liveabilitywillbesupportedbyeasyaccesstoservicesandjobs,acleanandhealthyenvironment,andattractiveandengagingurbanenvironments.
Landuseplanningcancontributetocreatingattractivetownsintheregionbyrecognisingandprotectingthoseattributesvaluedbythecommunityandwhichmakeplacesdistinctive.Additionalheritageandurbancharacterinvestigationsandplanningschemecontrolswillbenecessarytomanagechangeinsomecommunities.
Itiscriticalthatproposalsadoptprinciplesofhighqualityurbandesignsothatdevelopmentintegrateswithurbanareasandcreateshealthy,safeandconnectedplaces.
Figure4outlinestheWimmeraSouthernMalleesettlementnetworkandcharacteristics.
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Fortheregionalcity,districttownsandtowns:
• encouragetheprovisionandmaintenanceofawiderangeofservicesandfacilities
• providesufficientlandtoenableresidentialandemploymentgrowth(notethatHallsGapisnotintendedtobeafocusforconventionalresidentialgrowth)
• prioritiseinfrastructureinvestmenttowardssupportinggrowth
• Supporttransportsystemsthatprovideaccesstotheregionalcity,districttownsandtowns
• Continuetosupportsmallersettlementsbyallowingfortheirongoingtransition,maintainingserviceswherefeasibleandencouraginglimitedincrementalgrowthifrequired
• Identifytheneedforadditionalheritageordesigncontrolstoprotectthevaluedcharacterofurbanareas
• Encourageurbandevelopmentthatpromotesandsupportshighqualitystreetscapesandurbandesign,andcontributestoattractiveandhealthyurbanenvironments
Firebrace Street, Horsham, image courtesy of Daryl Wisely
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encourageplanningschemestorecognisetheimportanceofdiverseandaffordablehousingwhichtakesintoaccountemergingdemographic,socialandeconomictrends
• Allowforincreasedhousingdensitiesinlocationsthatareaccessibletoshops,transportnetworksandothercommunityservicesandfacilities
• Developaregionalhousingstrategywithafocusonchoice,availabilityandaffordability
• Encourageprinciplesofuniversalandadaptabledesigntobeincorporatedintonewhousing
• Identifyandaddressgapsinthehousingmarketthatarehinderinggrowthandprosperityorexacerbatingdisadvantage
• Supporttheprovisionofsuitablehousingforelderlypeopletocaterfortheprojecteddemographicchange
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
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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
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
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Map9: Horsham strategic framework plan
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Focusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthesouth-westernpartoftheregioninEdenhope
• Identifyapreferredlocationforadditionalindustriallandandfacilitatedevelopment
• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentialland
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetoservicingthelocalpopulationandadjoiningcommunities
• MonitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothenorthofHopetoun,ifrequiredfordevelopment
• Determinethesewerageinfrastructurerequirementforindustrialexpansion
• Maximiseuseofthetown’skeyassetssuchastherailwaylineandnaturalattractionstoencourageemploymentandpopulationgrowth
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Nhill
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• FocusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthewesternpartoftheregioninNhill
• Identifyapreferredlocationforadditionalindustriallandandfacilitateitsdevelopment
• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentiallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothetown’ssouth-easttodetermineitssuitabilityfordevelopment
• FurtherinvestigateopportunitiesforregenerationofthecentreofthetownthroughtherelocationorrenewaloftheDavisParkprecinctandconsolidationofindustrialland
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
St Arnaud
Future directions
• Recognise St Arnaud as the district town for the communities of interest in the region’s east
• Encourage the provision of a wide range of middle order health, education, retail, municipal and emergency services
• 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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Retainandenhanceservicesandfacilitiesappropriatetothelocalcommunityanditssurrounds
• Encourageresidentialinfilldevelopmentaheadofexpansionofthetown
• Investigatetheprovisionofadditionalindustriallandtotheeastorsouthofthetownandconsidertheopportunitytorelocatebusinessesfromconstrainedsitesinthecentreoftown
• ConsidertheneedforadditionalplanningcontrolstoprotectthecharacterandstreetscapesofStArnaud,whichareanattractivetourismdrawcardandhelpsupportthelocaleconomy
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� TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN��|��PART�C
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• PlanforfutureinvestmentandservicesbasedonthecloseconnectionbetweenStawellandArarattomaximisesharedandnicheopportunitiesforboth
• Identifyadditionalindustriallandandfacilitateitsdevelopment
• Provideforadditionalresidentiallandinsouth-eastStawellandprepareaseweragestrategytofacilitateorderlyandefficientinfrastructureprovision
• Ensurebushfirehazardisavoidedinthedesignandlocationofnewresidentialdevelopment
• InvestigatemeasurestomanagetrafficandlandusealongtheWesternHighway
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�PART�C��|��TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
Warracknabeal
Future directions
• Support Warracknabeal as the key district town for the communities of interest in the northern part of the Wimmera
• Encourage the provision of a wide range of middle order health, education, retail, municipal and emergency services
• 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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• FocusinvestmentinservicesandfacilitiesforthenorthernpartoftheregioninWarracknabeal
• Monitortheneedforadditionalresidentiallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothesouth-eastorwestofthetowntodetermineitssuitabilityfordevelopment
• Monitortheneedforadditionalindustriallandandundertakeinvestigationoflandtothenorthofthetowntofacilitateadditionalsupply
• ReviewtheextentoftheinundationmappingcoveringpartsofWarracknabealsothatitremainscurrent
55
� TOWARDS�THE�REGIONAL�GROWTH�PLAN��|��PART�C
Regional Growth Plan WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE
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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• 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
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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.
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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
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Encourageproposalsforruralsettlementtocomplywiththecriteriasetoutinthisplan
• MonitorthesupplyofrurallivinglandtobetterunderstandtheneedsinvariouspartsoftheWimmeraSouthernMalleeregion
Harrow, West Wimmera Shire, image courtesy of Robert Mason
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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.
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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.
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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.
Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Identifykeyregionalprioritiesforimprovedutilities,energyandtelecommunicationsinfrastructureandseekfundingtoimplementtheseprojects
• Promoteinfrastructureplanningthatiscoordinatedwithurbandevelopmentneedsandthekeylocationsforgrowthidentifiedinthisplan
• Prepareadevelopmentcontributionsschemetofundinfrastructureidentifiedbythisplanorotherlocalstrategicplanningasnecessarytosupportgrowth
Kaniva, West Wimmera Shire
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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.
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Map10: Future directions for transport
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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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.
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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
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Land use policies, strategies and actions
• Renew,maintainanddeveloptransportinfrastructuretomeetanticipatedpopulationgrowthidentifiedintheurbansettlementframework
• Provideflexibleandadaptablefreightconnectivitytothetransportnetworktocaterforchangesincommoditiestobecarriedandchangestotruckweightsandvolumesorotherlogisticaladvancesintothefuture
• Incorporatefuturedirectionsintoplanningschemesandstructureplanstoensureinfrastructurekeepspacewithchangesindemography,landuse,andwitheconomicandsocialdevelopment
• Setasidelandtofutureproofroadandrailprojectsusingzonesandoverlays
• Maximisethestrategicpositionofthetransportnetworktoencouragesettlementandeconomicgrowth,alongexistingtransportinfrastructure
• Considertheimpactofnewdevelopmentontheroadnetworkandencouragedeveloperstocontributetothecostofimprovingtheconditionandlifeexpectancyofthenetwork
• Usethisplantosupportinfrastructureprojectsintothefuturetoassistwithmanaginggrowth
Stawell Town Hall, image courtesy of Robert Mason
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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.
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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.
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Land use policies, strategies and actions
• 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
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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
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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
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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
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Map11: Regional land use strategy
Source: Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
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Northern Grampians Shire, image courtesy of Planisphere
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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.
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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.
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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
Data
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
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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
CouncilsAuthoritiesBusinessesStategovernment
Stategovernmenttocompileaprogressreportevery12months
4.Requestfunds Evidenceofprojectsthathavebeenfundedtoadvancethedirectionsandthemesoftheplan
CouncilsAuthoritiesBusinessesStategovernment
Stategovernmenttocompileaprogressreportevery12months
5.Developinnovativeandflexibleservicedeliverymodels
Evidenceofservicedelivery(includinginfrastructure)thatimprovesoutcomesforcommunitiesandtakesintoaccountthecommunitiesofinterestmodel
CouncilsAuthoritiesBusinessesStategovernment
Stategovernmentwithsupportofcouncilsandbusinessestocompileaprogressreportevery12months
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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.
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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.