Contents
Map: Regions by WRRG's and councils
Table: SV contacts for regions (December 2014)
Acronyms
Map: Strategic Cordinators and Waste Resource Recoverry Groups
Grampians
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
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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 Grampiansregions. 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 andgrowth 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. Regional Waste Management 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
EONick 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
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 (December2014)
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 and LitterTeam
Manager : Kate Greer(03) 8626 8861
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
NB. These contacts will alter over time
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 Group)
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
Population / 260,766 / 309,986 / 278,395 / 224,636 / 373,191
Regional Profiles – Grampians |1
Grampians regional features
Features
/Details
Subregion / Grampians Central West ram / City of Ballarat CouncilCentral Goldfields Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Regional centres
Provincial city of Ballarat and major regional towns of Ararat and Horsham
Geographical features / Grampians National Park, Little Desert National Park, northern edge of the western volcanic plains (mostly grazing), flat to gently undulating Wimmera plains (mostly cropping)
Transport / •Rail network between Melbourne and Adelaide runs through the middle of the region
•Rail network from Melbourne to Mildura runs through the east of the region
•Ballarat airport
•Dooen Intermodal Freight Terminal, north of Horsham connects road to rail
•Well serviced by road networks.
•The Western Highway connecting Melbourne to Adelaide runs through the centre of the region.
Major roads and travel times / From / To / Route / Distance (km) / Travel time (hours)
Melbourne / Ballarat / Western Highway / 115 / 1:21
Melbourne / Horsham / Western Highway / 300 / 3:22
Ballarat / Geelong / Midland Highway / 89 / 1:12
Horsham / Portland / Henty Highway / 224 / 2:47
Horsham / Bendigo / Wimmera Highway / 215 / 2:49
Key infrastructure / •Wimmera Mallee Pipeline (continuous water supply to townships, farms and potential new industry development)
•Natural gas distribution to Ballarat and surrounding towns as well as Horsham, Ararat and Stawell
•Tertiary education facilities including Federation University in Ballarat and Horsham, Australian Catholic University Ballarat Campus, Melbourne University Creswick Campus, Longerenong College (south of Horsham)
•Bayer CropScience wheat and oilseeds breeding centre located at Longerenong College
•Ballarat airport ($5.57M funding secured for upgrade)
•Stawell airport recently upgraded
•Doen Intermodal Freight Terminal – road/rail terminal with bulk container and grain handling facilities
•Ballarat West Employment Zone – industry and employment growth area with access to road, rail and airport
•Ballarat West Growth Area planning for 18,000 new houses
•Large hospitals including Ballarat Base Hospital, St John of God Health Care in Ballarat and Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham and Stawell Regional Health
•Hopkins Correctional Centre (known as Ararat prison) and LangiKalKal low security prison
•Large abattoirs in Ararat and Stawell with possible expansion plans
•Grain Innovation Centre, DEPI Horsham
•Wind farms – Waubra, Challicum Hills and Daylesford community-owned wind farm
•Upgrades to Ballarat and Stawell airports
Key facts
The Grampians region for planning purposes is divided into two sub regions – Central Highlands Region in the south east and Wimmera Southern Mallee Region in the north west.
•Ballarat is the fastest growing regional centre and third largest urban area in the state.
•Horsham is twice the size of any other centre in the north west of the region and has grown at the expense of smaller towns.
•The Grampians region has a recognised higher education and training system network.
•It has the strongest concentration of IT and computing services and capacity in regional Victoria.
•The region has the major concentration of Australia’s gold mining heritage.
•Registered Aboriginal parties in the region include Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, DjaDjaWurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Matang Pty Ltd and Wathaurung Aboriginal Cooperative.
Demography
Population growth will be concentrated in Melbourne’s peri-urban fringe, principally the shires of Moorabool, Golden Plains and Hepburn as well as in Ballarat West Growth Area of Ballarat City Council.
The median weekly income and the number of people participating in higher education is lower than the state average.
Relatively high levels of disadvantage, particularly in towns in Ballarat, Pyrenees, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires.
Low rents in smaller towns can create pockets of disadvantage.
Wimmera Southern Mallee has the oldest population in Victoria. Projected population growth is low due to young people leaving for education and employment, leaving a large proportion of retirees (and school aged children).
Includes very small pockets of new arrivals to Australia e.g. the Karen people in Nhill, many of whom work at Luvaduck - duck producer and manufacturer.
Projected change in total population for municipalities in Central Highlands region
Source: Victoria in Future 2012
Central Highlands sub region
/2011
/2021
/2031
Ararat (RD) / 12,000 / 13,000 / 14,000Ballarat (C) / 97,800 / 113,500 / 130,000
Golden Plains (north-west section) (S) / 8200 / 9000 / 10,000
Hepburn (S) / 15,000 / 17,000 / 18,500
Moorabool (S) / 29,400 / 36,000 / 43,000
Pyrenees (S) / 6900 / 7500 / 8000
Total Central Highlands / 169,300 / 196,000 / 223,500
Wimmera Southern Mallee sub region
/2011
/2021
/2031
Hindmarsh (S) / 6,100 / 5,800 / 5,500Horsham (RC) / 20,400 / 21,600 / 22,600
Northern Grampians (S) / 12,200 / 12,300 / 12,100
West Wimmera (S) / 4,500 / 4,400 / 4,200
Yarriambiack (S) / 7,500 / 7,300 / 6,900
Total Wimmera Southern Mallee / 50,700 / 51,400 / 51,300
Political context
LevelRepresentativeFederal
Catherine KingALP Member for Ballarat (includes Ballarat, Hepburn, Golden Plains, Moorabool councils)
John Forrest NPMember for Mallee (includes Horsham Rural City Council, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians councils)
Dan TehanLP Member for Wannon (includes Ararat Rural City, Pyrenees, and Central Goldfields councils)
State - Victorian Legislative Assembly
Geoff Howard ALP Buninyong - (Ballarat City, Hepburn, Moorabool councils)
Sharon Knight ALPWendouree – (includes Ballarat City Council)
Joe Helper*ALP Rippon - (Includes Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians (southern part), Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Central Goldfields councils)
Emma KealyNP Lowan - (includes Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh councils)
Peter Crisp NP Mildura – (includes Yarriambiack (northern part e.g. Hopetoun)
Peter Walsh*NP Swan Hill – (includes Yarriambiack (southern part e.g. Warracknabeal), Northern Grampians (northern part e.g. St Arnaud)
State - Victorian Legislative Council
David KochLPNational Western Victoria
Wendy LovellLPNorthern Victoria region
*Not confirmed
Regional context
•DTPLI has completed regional strategic plans and draft regional growth plans for both subregions.
•The City of Ballarat has recently released the Ballarat Regional Capital Plan which outlines key challenges and opportunities for Ballarat and identifies specific projects for public and private investment.
•$28.5M has been identified for the first stage of the development of the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ). BWEZ is a 632-hectare site on council owned and adjacent public land. It could create as much as 9000 jobs and $5 billion in economic output per year.
•The site includes general industry, freight industry, transport and logistics precinct, food processing precinct, research and development, convenience retail and business support services. $21.7M has been identified to build a new waste to energy plan at the site.
Regional priorities
Subregions
/Priorities
Central Highlands / •Population growth should be planned in sustainable locations throughout the region.•The region’s economy should be strengthened so that it is more diversified and resilient.
•The region should capitalise on its close links with other regions and cities.
•The development of sustainable and vibrant communities should be supported by enhancing the level of access to key services.
•Land use patterns, developments and infrastructure should make the region more self-reliant and sustainable.
•Planning for growth should be integrated with the provision of infrastructure.
•The region’s land, soil, water and biodiversity should be managed, protected and enhanced.
•Long-term agricultural productivity should be supported.
•The importance of cultural heritage and landscapes as economic and community assets should be recognised
Wimmera Southern Mallee / •Growth should be encouraged throughout the region to create a network of integrated and prosperous settlements.
•Key centres should be a focus to manage population change and access to services.
•Ecological health and rural landscapes should be enhanced.
•Key agricultural resources should be protected, productivity maintained, and the development of industry supported.
•The region’s assets should be used to facilitate the diversification of the economy and ensure a resilient community.
•Planning should support adaptation to changes in climate
•The development of distinct settlements should be supported to create healthy, attractive and liveable communities.
•Opportunities for growth should be identified to facilitate appropriate local development.
•Infrastructure required to support growth should be identified.
Central High
Economic profile
CentralHighlands
Economic activities include agriculture, manufacturing, government administration, education and health services, tourism, gold mining, viticulture and forestry. Ballarat City also has strong retail trade, construction, property and business services. Government services are the major employer in major regional centres.
Traditional economic strengths such as agriculture/agribusiness, mining and manufacturing will remain important. However high growth sectors in the future include healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, accommodation, food services and tourism. Potential future growth industries include ICT and business process services and research and development, high value added food processing and gold, copper and mineral sands mining.
WimmeraSouthernMallee
Agriculture is the dominant economic driver and employer in the region. This is predominantly broad acre cropping of cereals (produces 70% of Victoria’s grain), pulses and oil seeds, with livestock grazing towards the south of the sub region.
Other key economic activities include healthcare, manufacturing (dominated by food processing, including meat), retail and construction. Nature based tourism, freight transport and mineral sands mining are also important.
Funded sustainability project examples
Recent SV projects / •Smart Living Centre, Ballarat•Upgrading waste sorting facilities at KKC Property Pty Ltd, Ballarat
Current SV projects / •In vessel composting trial FABCOM at Maryborough - Grampians Central West WRRG
•Upgrade of transfer stations and education resources –in north west of Grampians Central West WRRG
•Infrastructure upgrade at transfer stations, trial of small in vessel composting units, trial of food scraps collection and educational resources – Grampians Central West WRRG
•ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic schools – Grampians regional implementation.
•Detox your Home – existing site in Ballarat and new sites at Ararat and Horsham
•Smarter Resources, Smarter Businesses program – In 2013, capital funding to Haymes Paint and Blue Pyrenees Winery, resource assessment to Creswick Supermarket and Taltarni Winery. A further 5 businesses are recommended for capital funding in 2014
Third party sustainability projects / •Building resilience in farming communities and agribusiness – West Wimmera, Yariambiack and Horsham Rural City Council
•Resilient community assets – Central Goldfields shire, partnering with 5 neighbouring shires in the Loddon Mallee region
•Supporting change and adaptation in the Northern Grampians Shire
•Adapting to climate change – Hepburn, Golden Plains, Moorabool and Pyrenees Shires
•Bioenergy pilot project at Beaufort Hospital
AusIndustry grants / •Ballarat Concrete Products replacing their boiler with generators
•McCain Foods, Ballarat boiler upgrades
•Mars Australia, Ballarat equipment upgrade and insulation
•Sonac Australia Maryborough plant capital upgrades
Other / •Lighting the Region – replacement of street lights in Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Ararat and Horsham councils (along with 12 other councils across Victoria)
•Solar cooling demonstration at Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre (funded by Australian renewable Energy Agency)
•Northern Grampians Shire beverage recycling (Coca cola and KABV grant)
SWOT analysis
Strengths•City of Ballarat Council provides leadership in strategic planning and actively encourages innovation in future economic development in the city, which benefits the surrounding region
•Well-developed agriculture and manufacturing industries and growing new industries of viticulture and tourism
•Straddles major road and rail networks. / Opportunities
•Wimmera Mallee pipeline provides opportunity for new intensive agricultural activities
•Generating energy locally from renewable sources, including bioenergy
•Low population densities in the north west provide opportunity for industries with offsite impacts
•Some parts of the region have reputation and commitment to sustainability e.g. Hepburn Shire
Weaknesses
•Two-speed economy with growth in the Central Highlands sub region and potential decline in the Wimmera Southern Mallee
•Wimmera Southern Mallee sub region has an ageing population, low population densities and large travel distances between settlements.
•Varied access to broadband and internet services
•Agriculture e.g. cropping and grazing reliant on fuel transport to southern port
•Not enough people willing to work in the jobs available in the more remoter parts of the region
•Reliant on road transport for moving high value products from north to port in the south
•Pockets of disadvantage throughout the region
•Pressures include adapting to predicted climate change which is likely to include rising temperatures, declining rainfall and the potential for greater incidents of drought, flood and fire / Threats
•Dispersed settlements and poor public transport in north west means populations are vulnerable to rising fuel prices
•Climate change is predicted to adversely impact the region, particularly in the north west where economy relies on agriculture
•Ageing infrastructure
•Lack of cooperation across industry sectors
•
1 |Regional Profiles – Further reading