Renmark Paringa Council

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Renmark Paringa Council Strategic PlanMessage from the MayoriMessage from the MayorThe Renmark Paringa District is a great place to live, work and recreate. We are recognisedby those who come to visit and those who choose to stay as a friendly and welcomingcommunity.With the town of Renmark being Australia’s first irrigation community and Lyrup as the onlysurviving village association, this district has long been recognised for its innovation andprogressive approach.Our communities reflect the richness of Australia’s cultural diversity. They demonstrate astrength and resilience in hard times and a capacity for celebrating the good life our districtaffords.This Strategic Plan has been prepared by Council in partnership with our community to guideour decision making in the next five years, The Plan identifies the outcomes we are seeking toachieve and the strategies we will put in place to get there. We will be reporting to you eachyear about our performance in achieving these outcomes.I invite you to be active participants in creating a prosperous future for our district.Your ongoing input and feedback will assist us to work together to build a strong andsustainable economy that provides real benefits for all members of our community.Neil MartinsonMayor
Renmark Paringa Council Strategic PlanAbout our District31.0 About our DistrictRenmark, the town which was transformed by Australia’s first irrigation scheme is 258kms northeast of Adelaide on the Sturt Highway. It is the largest centre in the District and is centredaround the River Murray. The total population of the District was 9,500 (2006 ABS Census).The Lyrup and Paringa townships are also within the Council area which covers 921 squarekilometres.The Renmark Paringa District Council Area is a key part of the Riverland region- one ofAustralia’s major horticulture and viticulture areas with over 50% of South Australia’s winegrapes grown in the region.The Council area consists of a dry land farming strip along the eastern boundary adjoiningthe Victoria/ South Australian border. Irrigation has lead to extensive horticultural activitiesthroughout the remainder of the area. While wine grape production is very significant thereare major citrus and nut plantations in existence, together with vegetable and stone fruitproduction. Major horticultural and viticultural packers and processors market local produceto both the international and domestic markets and provide significant employmentopportunities in the local community.Renmark is also home to Australia’s largest Rose Garden and the National Rose Collection ofAustralia at Ruston’s. Renmark has embraced the rose theme in its public plantings andthrough support for the annual Renmark Rose Festival.Lyrup was one of the 12 village settlements established by the South Australian Governmentin 1894 when 243 Settlers were virtually “dumped” on the river to develop a self-containedcommunal system with the barest of materials and supplies. Under the revolutionary strategy,settlers were encouraged to work the land and share the profits. Lyrup, whose affairs and800ha farming and grazing operations are still run by a village association, was the only oneof the 12 pilot groups to survive the collapse of Australia’s first socialist experiment.The town and its 300 strong population is at the heart of the Murray River National Park whichprotects a seasonal flood plain that supports large colonies of waterfowl.The Council takes its responsibility for the sustainable management of natural resources veryseriously as demonstrated by its 100% reuse of treated waste water to irrigate parks andreserves for community benefit and through its establishment of the McCormick Centre forthe Environment. This centre is a public facility designed to support environmental educationand research, nature based tourism and to serve the community as a unique resource.In common with other rural communities, and particularly those which are reliant on the RiverMurray for water to irrigate their crops, the Renmark economy has been affected by thedrought and other global economic factors. The Renmark Paringa Council has joined otherCouncils in the region, the State Government and regional organisations to establish theRiverland Futures Task Force as one mechanism for focussing on new economic developmentopportunities and the diversification of existing industries.The Task Force also has a focus on education and social policies to enhance communityinfrastructure and encourage population stability and future growth.
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