Contents
Introduction
Regions by WRRG and councils
SV contacts for regions (December 2014)
Acronyms
Map: Strategic Coordinators & WRRG's
Loddon Mallee
Regional features
Key facts
Demography
Political context
Regional context
Regional priorities
Economic profile
Funded sustainability project examples
SWOT analysis
Further reading
Sustainability Victoria
Level 28, Urban Workshop
50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne 3000
T 1300 363 744
E
sustainability.vic.gov.au
© Sustainability Victoria 2014
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Disclaimer
Information in this document is current as at February 2014. While all professional care has been taken in preparing this document, Sustainability Victoria accepts no liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance placed upon its content.
Introduction
This document provides a snapshot of the Loddon Mallee region. It is not an exhaustive compilation of regional information, but instead focuses on information that is considered relevant to SV’s priority outcomes in integrated waste management and resource efficiency.
It has been produced by SV’s Strategic Coordinator based in the region. Information has been drawn from plans and strategies, including regional strategic plans and growth plans, and other documents, as well as discussions with key regional personnel.
This document aims to assist SV staff to understand regional conditions so that SV and our stakeholders (e.g. Waste and Resource Recovery Groups) can
• Work more effectively across the portfolio
• Design and develop relevant programs and projects
• Prepare their business plans.
Regions by WRRG and councils
Region
/WRRG and Executive Officer
/LGA/councils
Barwon South West / Barwon South West WRRGEO Sandra McClelland / Colac Otway Shire Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Queenscliffe Borough Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Gippsland / Gippsland WRRG
EO Mathew Peake / Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Latrobe City Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council
Grampians / Grampians Central West WRRG
EO Philip Clingin / Hindmarsh Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Ballarat City Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Hume / Goulburn Valley WRRG
EO Nick Nagle / Campaspe Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
North East WRRG
EO Brooke Hermans / Alpine Shire Council
Benalla Rural City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Wodonga Rural City Council
(and three Alpine resorts)
Loddon Mallee / Loddon Mallee WRRG
EO Karen Fazzani / Greater Bendigo City Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Buloke Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Mildura Rural City Council
SV contacts for regions (December 2014)
Division
/Barwon South West
/Gippsland
/Grampians
/Hume
/Loddon-Mallee
Engagement
Statewide Engagement TeamManager : Andrew Straker ( (03) 8626 8813
Strategic Coordinators / Amy O’Brien
( 0418 149068 / Luke Wilkinson
( 0427 850 478 / Trish Kevin
( 0409 060109 / Martina Rienzner
( 0408 110 431 / Kristy Roche
( 0419 311 765
Education Team
Manager : Kate Greer ( (03) 8626 8878
Claire Ruedin
( (03) 86268747 / Simon Hum
( (03) 8626 8793 / Candyce Presland
( (03) 86268774 / Simon Hum
( (03) 86268793 / Candyce Presland
( (03) 86268774
Integrated Waste Management
Waste and Resource Recovery StrategyManager : David Cocks ( (03) 86268765
Barwon South West
Andrew Buzacott
( (03) 86566701
Marcus Fogarty
( (03) 86268788 / Gippsland / Grampians Central West
Nick Bailey
( (03) 86268824
Ben Stephenson
( (03) 86268807 / Goulburn Valley
Nicola Thom
( (03) 86268726
North East David Cocks
( (03) 86268765 / Loddon Mallee
David Cocks
( (03) 86268765
Nick Bailey
( (03) 86268824
Kelly Wickham
( (03) 86268820
Resource Efficiency
Business Productivity TeamManager: Katrina Woolfe ( (03) 86268823
Yolanda Sztarr
( (03) 86268843 / Nick Katsanevakis
( (03) 86268755 / Andrew Haus
( (03) 86268874 / Helen Scott
( (03) 86268855 / Kel Dummett
( (03) 86268729
Acronyms
ABS / Australian Bureau of StatisticsALP / Australian Labor Party
CBD / Central Business District
CMA / Catchment Management Authority
DSDBI / Department of State Development, Business and Innovation
DEECD / Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
DTPLI / Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
DEPI / Department of Environment and Primary Industries
EEIG / Energy Efficiency Information Grant
EPA / Environmental Protection Agency
HACC / Home and community care
IWM / Integrated waste management
kV / Kilovolts (equivalent to 1000 volts)
LGA / Local government area
LP / Liberal Party of Australia
LPO / Litter Prevention Officer
MAC / Ministerial Advisory Committee on Waste and Resource Recovery Governance Reform, 2013
NP / National Party of Australia
RDA / Regional Development Australia
RDV / Regional Development Victoria
ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic / ResourceSmart Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative Victoria
RMF / Regional Management Forum
RWMG / Regional Waste Management Group (now Waste and Resource Recovery Groups)
SME / Small to medium sized enterprise
SV / Sustainability Victoria
SV2015 / SV’s Strategic Plan 2012–15
TAFE / Technical and Further Education
VECCI / Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry
WRRG / Waste and Resource Recovery Group
Strategic Regional Coordinators / Luke Wilkinson
DEPI office, Traralgon
T 1300 363 744
M 0427 850 478 / Martina Reinzner
DEPI office, Seymour
T 5735 4330
M 0408 110 431 / Kristy Roche
DEPI office,
Epsom
T 5430 4544
M 0419 311 765 / Trish Kevin
DEPI office,
Ballarat
T 5336 6856
M 0409 060 109 / Amy O’Brien
DEPI office,
Colac
T 5233 5549
M 0418 149 068 / Kim Johnson
Ray Liversidge
SV office Melbourne
T 1300 363 744
Region / Gippsland / Hume / Loddon Mallee / Grampians / Barwon South West / Metropolitan
Population / 260,766 / 309,986 / 278,395 / 224,636 / 373,191
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee |15
Loddon Mallee regional features
Features
/Details
Subregion / Loddon Mallee WRRG / City of Greater Bendigo CouncilMacedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Buloke Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Mildura Shire Council
Two sub regions listed by RDV:
• Loddon Mallee North:
Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Buloke Shire Council’ Gannawarra Shire Council, Shire of Campaspe (SV’s North East Region)
• Loddon Mallee South:
Loddon Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council (SV’s Grampians region)
Geographical features / • The Murray River – spanning a total length of 2520 kilometres and with its tributaries is the third largest water catchment on earth.
• Key town centres include Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton, Castlemaine, Bendigo, Wedderburn, Wycheproof, Charlton, Ouyen, Kerang, Swan Hill, Red Cliffs and Mildura.
• National Parks situated within the Loddon Mallee region include Murray Sunset national Park, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, and Greater Bendigo National Park. Other Loddon Mallee parks include the Kooyora State Park, Mount Alexander Regional Park, Macedon Regional Park, Maldon Historical Reserve, and Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve.
Transport / • Major train routes include passenger services from Melbourne to Bendigo to Swan Hill/Echuca. A commercial freight train operates between Mildura and Bendigo.
• Mildura has the largest rural airport in Victoria, with regular passenger services. Bendigo also provides commercial and selected passenger services.
• Due to its central location, the Loddon Mallee links into the Adelaide to Sydney Road corridor, the South Australian Riverland, the western and southern Riverina in NSW and Broken Hill.
Major roads and travel times / From / To / Distance (km) / Travel time (hours)
Melbourne / Bendigo / 152 / 1:43
Bendigo / Mildura / 401 / 4.45
Bendigo / Swan Hill / 187 / 2:30
Key infrastructure / • Reticulated gas networks in Mildura (SA Power Networks) and Bendigo (SP AusNet). Share in a $100 million gas redevelopment project will include Loddon Mallee infrastructure.
• Bendigo, Kerang and Mildura are connected to 220 kV transmission lines.
• Powercor provides the electricity network across Western Victoria, incorporating Loddon Mallee.
• Expansion of the Bendigo airport to support emergency services within the region.
• Development of the Bendigo rail network to include Eaglehawk and Epsom station expansion.
• New Bendigo Hospital: the largest regional hospital development in Victoria’s history and one of the largest hospital projects across Australia. Redevelopment works are valued at $630 million dollars.
• Mildura Hospital upgrade of $5 million to expand health services in the region.
• Mildura Riverfront Master plan project to develop an $11 million marina and conference centre.
• La Trobe University (Bendigo and Mildura)
• Monash University – School of Rural Health (Bendigo)
• Bendigo TAFE (Bendigo)
• SuniTAFE - Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (Mildura)
Key facts
• The Loddon Mallee region encompasses a quarter of Victoria’s land mass.
• The region is famous for the waterways of the Murray River, which is a major producer of fruit, wine, nuts, and vegetables, dairy products, cereals, meat and wool. The region produces over 30% of Victoria’s grains, over 40% of its fruit, and more than 80% of its wine grapes.
• The region is also acclaimed for its restaurants and wineries, heritage towns and National Parks and forests.
• The Mildura region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters, and is part of the warmest regions of Victoria.
• Mildura Rural City Council is geographically the largest council in Victoria.
• The City of Greater Bendigo is the third largest regional centre in Victoria.
• The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is the only Australian bank to be headquartered in a regional area.
• Many of the large towns were built on gold mining but are now reliant on manufacturing, tourism and service provision.
Demography
Population: 270,000 (approx.)
• Mildura Rural City Council has a population of approximately 53,122, with the cross-border community of Wentworth (NSW) consisting of 8,000 people. The township of Mildura itself has approximately 30,000 residents. The City of Greater Bendigo has a population of approximately 103,722 and is growing by 2% annually.
• Swan Hill Rural City Council region has a population of approximately 20 972, and approximately 10,394 people in neighbouring Gannawarra Shire.
• Buloke Shire Council has a population of 6,364, and 8,600 within Loddon Shire Council.
• Mount Alexander Shire consists of approximately 17,803 people, with neighbouring Macedon ranges Shire consisting of 41,860 people.
• The population of Macedon Ranges Shire is projected to increase by 2% between 2010 and 2022, while Buloke Shire is projected to decline by 4%.
• The southern region of Loddon Mallee (Bendigo, Mt Alexander and Macedon Ranges) is expected to continue at a growth rate 50% above other regional areas (centres of Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Maryborough). The sustained growth rate is contributed to geographic proximity to Melbourne.
Political context
Level Representative
Federal (Note: Bendigo borders Ballarat and McEwan federal regions).
Andrew Broad NP Member for Mallee
Lisa Chesters ALP Member for Bendigo
State - Victorian Legislative Assembly
Jacinta Allan ALP (Bendigo East)
Joanne Duncan ALP (Macedon)
Maree Edwards ALP (Bendigo West)
Peter Crisp NP (Mildura)
Peter Walsh NP (Swan Hill)
State- Victorian Legislative Council
Damian Drum NP Bendigo
Amanda Miller LP Woodend
Regional context
• Mildura Rural City Council achieved their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of a minimum of 20% below 2005–06 levels by 2011–12 as outlined in the Final Greenhouse Action Plan 2007 - 2012. This plan was replaced by the Energy Management Plan in 2012 which sets a 10% reduction in energy consumption over the next five years.
• Mildura Rural City Council achieved a successful tender for kerbside recycling, and completed a successful trial for kerbside organics, which has resulted in a formal tender application for 2014.
• Ongoing support for commercial and industrial energy efficiency projects within the Mildura region, being led by Mildura Development Corporation.
• The City of Greater Bendigo is committed to reducing their carbon emissions by 50% by 2020. The council is currently reviewing their Carbon Management Plan 2009 – 2012 and completing their Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan including a system to monitor and report on the council’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Greater City of Bendigo Waste Management Strategy community consultation period closed early December 2013 for the regions revised strategy.
• Mount Alexander Shire Council is continuing to track emissions as part of Council Climate Change Action plan 2011-2014, and deliver on council’s 2011-14 Greenhouse Action Plan.
• A review of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Waste Management Strategy is expected by June 2014, in conjunction with the shires Macedon Ranges Climate Change Action Plan.
• The Loddon Mallee area is actively facilitating the development of large-scale solar energy generation facilities within the region, while removing structural barriers to the development of cost effective renewable energy.
Regional priorities
Region
/Focus
/Major projects
Loddon Mallee South / • Transport: connect existing cities and towns• Employment: stimulate local jobs
• Infrastructure: improve transport, broadband access and energy supply infrastructure
• Education: increase tertiary education / • Sustainable land use in Bendigo
• Sandhurst Theatre
• New Bendigo Hospital
• Bendigo Art Gallery expansion
Loddon Mallee North / • Regional development: residential, industrial and commercial development
• Renewable energy: Develop large-scale solar generation
• Infrastructure: continued investment in transport
• Employment: address skill shortages / • Mildura Base Hospital
• Murray River bridge crossing (Swan Hill)
• Mildura airport and riverfront development
• Australian Tartaric Products grape waste
to energy project (commercial project)
High