Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan 1 - Macedon ...

STReNgTheN aND DIveRSIfy OuR eCONOMy
These shortages reflect to some extent the significant and continuing
construction activity in our region and also the strong development
of our health and education sectors. Population growth and
the ageing of our population will push the skill needs in health,
education, construction, transport and financial / professional services
even further.
Priority actions:
3.1
3.2
3.3
We must work in partnership with education and training providers
to address these skills shortages, in order to facilitate the necessary
diversification of our economy. Ensuring that regional economic
development improves business and employment opportunities
for all of our community groups in every part of our region is
fundamental to the health of our economy, our communities and
the future of our region.
Implement initiatives that stimulate local employment opportunities including increasing the stock of serviced
industrial land, serviced office opportunities, regionally-based government positions and inter-regional transport
connections where employment opportunities exist.
Attract investment in high value agriculture production and added value processing, including in intensive
agriculture related industries leveraging off the regions strengths of good soils, efficient flexible farming systems
and vast tracks of land to deliver new jobs and encourage efficient resource use.
Establish Australia’s first heritage region, linked to the goldfields heritage, as an iconic destination to value our
natural heritage and promote tourism within the region.
Key initiatives:
3.4
Develop and implement initiatives to create local employment opportunities for those who have to commute to
work particularly for Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires.
3
3.5
Initiate and support investment in public infrastructure for natural, cultural and other tourism assets, such as Iconic
trails and trails in the Loddon Mallee Regionally Significant Trails Strategy and National Parks to drive tourism. 3
3.6
Facilitate the development of a convention centre in Bendigo through site identification and approvals processes
to boost regional tourism and economic development.
3
3.7
Facilitate new investment and employment outcomes in ‘green related industries’ and the renewable energy
sector to diversify the economy.
3
3.8
Advocate for relocation of appropriate government agencies to the region to support regional programs,
employment diversity and support economic growth.
3
3.9
Collaborate with appropriate umbrella organisations and The Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs to establish
regional business mentoring and job placement programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 3
3.10
Attract investment and new employment in 3-5 new industry sectors through targeted investment attraction
strategies. (e.g. Intensive / high value agriculture, equine, manufacturing and construction).
3
3.11 Ensure adequate supply of well located and serviced industrial and business land across the region. 3
3.12
Address skill shortage issues through implementation of Workforce Industry Development Strategies with the
private sector.
3
3.13
Undertake initiatives to leveraging off planned investment and growth in health, education, manufacturing sub
sectors (defence, engineering) and mining.
3
3.14
Implement initiatives to strengthen the regions innovation and sustainability culture based on collaboration of
ideas and practice between industry, government and education and research institutions.
3
3.15
Work with the services industry and education providers to boost regional skills capacity to support growth in
demand and secure local employment outcomes.
Leverage the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Agenda, including its partnership with key
business stakeholders, to ensure a coordinated approach to establishing a regional business mentoring
3
3.16 program to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with access to business leaders.
Establish a regional business mentoring program to provide business groups from small towns and CALD
communities with access to business leaders.
Seek to participate in the development of a 10 year Aboriginal Tourism Plan through Tourism Victoria and
3
3.17 Aboriginal Tourism providers and build the capacity of Aboriginal businesses through leveraging the business
supports as outlined in the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Agenda.
3
Horizon (years)
1-5 >5
Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan 23
3
3
3
Horizon (years)
1-5 >5