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

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Foreword It is our pleasure to present the Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan. The Plan is the result of extensive input - over nearly two years - from community, business and government leaders located in the region. The Loddon Mallee region is expansive and diverse running from the north-west through to central Victoria and bordering South Australia and New South Wales. Because of the region’s size and diversity, two sub-plans have been prepared for the north and south of the region, reflecting the different challenges and opportunities they face. Accordingly each of the Plans identifies priority areas for focus over the coming years. The Northern Loddon Mallee is about 45,000 square kilometres. The Murray River is the ‘lifeblood’ of the region, which is a major food producer for Victoria, Australia and export markets. It is a highly productive agricultural and horticultural region. Some of its larger urban areas - Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura - are experiencing sustained population growth and tourism interest, while some smaller towns are experiencing population decrease. The region has a dispersed population and a strong Indigenous heritage with about 3,100 people identifying as Indigenous at the last census. About 8 per cent of the region’s population reported being born overseas. Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura also service significant cross-border populations. The Plan identifies a range of opportunities for the northern Loddon Mallee that focus on water; transport; infrastructure; diversification of the economy; education and training; healthcare; community resilience; the natural environment; and cross-border issues. The Southern Loddon Mallee is the geographic centre of Victoria, and its location and transport linkages make the region highly accessible, particularly from Melbourne. It also includes the thriving provincial centre of Bendigo. 2 Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan The region is experiencing strong population growth which is projected to continue at almost 50 per cent above the Victorian regional average, with drivers including improved road and rail links, more jobs and investment, and the region’s liveability appealing to ‘tree-changers’. The main industry employers in the region are retail, health and manufacturing. The region has a significant migrant population, with almost 13,500 people born overseas and overseas migration projected to stay strong. In managing the region’s growth we also face challenges in achieving social equity and reducing pockets of social disadvantage. The Plan identifies priorities for the southern Loddon Mallee, focused on managing population growth; community resilience; healthcare; education and training; arts, culture and other infrastructure that promotes ‘liveability’; diversification of the economy; transport; telecommunications infrastructure; water; and natural environment. The delivery of the overarching Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan will be overseen by the Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum and the Regional Development Australia Loddon Mallee Committee. These groups will continue to provide strong regional leadership and work collaboratively to implement the actions outlined in this plan. This Plan, combined with government support, will deliver the action and investment to keep the Loddon Mallee region flourishing into the future. Penny Armytage Regional Champion, Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum, Secretary, Department of Justice Jenny Dawson Chair, Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee The following Councils have endorsed this Plan, as has Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee and the Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum
contents About this Plan 4 Location map 6 A snapshot of the Southern Loddon Mallee today 7 Our aspirations, strategic directions and priority actions 10 Strategic directions: 1. Manage our population growth and settlements 12 2. Strengthen our communities, especially in our small towns 16 3. Strengthen and diversify our economy 20 4. Improve our infrastructure 24 5. Improve education and training outcomes 30 6. Protect and enhance our natural and built environment 34 Working together to implement the Plan 37 Acknowledgements 38 Glossary 38 References 39 Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan 3
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