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

ABOUT THIS PLAN
What is the Plan and why is it important?
Over the next ten to fifteen years, the Southern Loddon Mallee
will face a number of challenges and opportunities that will affect
our economy, our environment and our way of life. These impacts
will cross municipal and state borders and will continue beyond
current local, state and federal government terms.
This Plan identifies our most important issues and presents
a framework for us to work together as a region to maximise
opportunities and manage future growth and change in a way that
strengthens our economy, helps our people to thrive and protects
our rich natural and cultural heritage.
The Plan presents a framework for planning that has been
developed and endorsed by all our local councils, our key
industries and community organisations and the state
government. This united approach will dramatically improve the
way we identify, prioritise, support and deliver projects that will
make a real difference to the future of our region.
How was the Plan developed?
In 2008 the Regional Strategic Planning Initiative was launched
statewide and funding was made available to undertake regional
planning. The Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum,
comprising representatives of local and state government,
identified regional strategic planning as a key priority and formed
a project control group to support the planning process. To reflect
the diversity and differences between Loddon Mallee north and
the south planning occurred at a sub-regional level.
The planning process included significant research and policy
analysis culminating in the development of an issues paper
Stakeholder consultation has been critical in developing this
Plan. Throughout each stage of the process representatives
of local government, industry, community organisations and
state government agencies have been consulted. This process
has resulted in a stronger understanding of the challenges and
opportunities faced as a region and the development of agreed
aspirations for the future.
Drawing on government policy, contemporary research and the
extensive consultation the final Plan has been developed. A similar
plan has been prepared for the Northern Loddon Mallee region
(including the Buloke, Gannawarra, Campaspe, Swan Hill and
Mildura municipalities).
4 Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan
How will the Plan lead to action?
The Plan provides the three tiers of government together with
the community and private sector with a guiding framework for
governance and implementation of strategies and actions that will
strengthen the region.
In June 2010, the Victorian Government released their statement
for regional Victoria “Ready for tomorrow, a blueprint for Regional
and Rural Victoria”. The statement recognises significant issues
affecting the future prosperity, equity and sustainability of regional
Victoria and sets out a new framework for regional development
and a suite of programs that may be accessed to implement
regional actions, such as the ones in this Plan.
The Plan provides a strategic basis also for attracting Local and
Federal government, industry and community support as well
as encouraging collaboration to implement the diverse range of
actions.
How this Plan is structured
Over the following pages, we present a snapshot of our region
today and a brief outline of our aspirations for the future.
To focus our efforts in addressing our challenges and embracing
our opportunities we have identified six strategic directions.
Each of these strategic directions explores an area of regional
focus in greater detail and presents agreed priority actions and key
initiatives to help us achieve the future we want for our region.
Following the strategic directions, we discuss how we will work
together as a region to form new partnerships and processes that
will allow us to develop and implement these important projects
on an ongoing basis.