Projects
WMRDA is involved in a range of regional projects that aim to address issues faced by Melbourne’s West.
- Industry Growth in the West: This project will develop a regional industrial profile and implementation plan that will list actions required to capture future industry development. MORE…
- University town within the Werribee Employment Precinct: Development of a University Town within the precinct means identifying a suitable site and reviewing planning controls. MORE…
- Brooklyn Innovation Precinct: WMRDA is working with key stakeholders to plan for a future, modern industrial/innovation precinct in Brooklyn. MORE…
- Sustainable Employment & Economic Development (SEED): This project provides unemployed young people with on-the-job skill development and real life outcomes. MORE…
- Business incubator: Establishing a business incubator in the West will provide the services and environment necessary to assist local small businesses to establish and grow. MORE…
- Arts based business incubator: The West has a strong emerging arts community and an arts-based incubator would encourage businesses in this sector to grow and thrive. MORE…
- Taste of the West: The West has a diversity of multicultural cuisine that could be promoted to attract new leisure visitation and increase service sector employment. MORE…
- Arts and culture audit: To gain a thorough and documented understanding of the arts and cultural resources that exist in the West, an Arts and Cultural Audit is being developed. MORE…
- Education strategy: This strategy will developed improve education outcomes and skill levels, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Western Region). MORE…
- Social inclusion strategy: A social inclusion strategy will recommend ways to address issues relating to cultural diversity, new migrants and low social economic characteristics. MORE…
- Transport advocacy: WMRDA works in partnership with LeadWest to advocate for improved transport links in the region. MORE…
- Western Futures Forum 2011: This forum, involving western Melbourne business, community groups and all levels of government, will drive discussion on the critical issues for the region, MORE…
Industry Growth in the West
This project will develop a regionally-based strategy that will address:
- identification of current and future industry trends and factors behind these trends
- identification of actions needed to accommodate or capture future industry development
- identification of actions needed to meet emerging skill needs
- identification of strategies needed to facilitate creative and innovative industry development in the West
- identification of associated infrastructure requirements
- identification of the drivers of industry growth and diversification that will work to the advantage of the region.
Also included will be a detailed implementation plan that will list actions required to meet emerging skills needs, identify associated infrastructure requirements and facilitate innovative industry development.
The project brief has been completed and is now being provided to consultants for tender submissions.
Partners: LeadWest, City of Wyndam, Victorian Government, universities and TAFE institutes.
University town within the Werribee Employment Precinct
The focus of this project will be on identifying a suitable site and reviewing all planning controls to ensure the future development of a University Town within the Werribee Employment Precinct. Tertiary education institutions will be invited to submit expressions of interest. An urban design framework, concept plan and project plan will be developed, listing milestones and timeframes for achievement. Concept plans will be on public exhibition for consultation and feedback, and to create an environment of anticipation.
Short term benefits include:
- an urban design framework and concept plans to develop a vision for the Werribee University Town Precinct
- attraction of universities to commence thinking and planning for future growth
- development of a sense of anticipation that an expanded university presence in Werribee will raise community expectations of educational outcomes.
Long term benefits include:
- an increased university presence in the heart of Victoria’s largest growth corridor
- an increase in post-secondary study and qualifications among local residents
- links between university research and teaching facilities with local businesses
- businesses encouraged to establish within the Employment Precinct, close to the university.
WMRDA and project partners will work on scoping the project over the coming months.
Partners: LeadWest, City of Wyndham, Victorian Government, universities, TAFE institutes.
Brooklyn Innovation Precinct
WMRDA is working with key stakeholders to plan for a future, modern industrial/innovation precinct in Brooklyn. At present, the West is reliant on the inner Melbourne job market and lacks the full range of employment opportunities that are available to residents in other regions, particularly high tech, innovative and advanced manufacturing businesses.
A planning framework aimed at high tech industries (in an area that will be developed with high urban amenity) is needed to diversify the region’s industrial base and turn around the image of the West. Construction of Westlink has the potential to affect industrial location patterns in the West. Businesses will locate where they have easy access to major arterial roads, meaning their products can be moved quickly and efficiently to nearby ports.
WMRDA and project partners will work on scoping the project over the coming months.
Partners: LeadWest, Brimbank City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Department of Transport, EPA, Department of Planning.
Sustainable Employment & Economic Development (SEED)
The SEED project, based on a successful project at Moonee Valley City Council, targets unemployed young people 16–25 from a broad range of cultural backgrounds and provides them with on-the-job skill development and the real life outcomes that come with having a job, being able to support themselves and contributing to the community.
Project staff support participants by providing a range of work and life skills to prepare them for entry into the workforce. Staff also work closely with employers to provide a range of flexible work placement options. Once a placement commences, support is provided to the young person and to the workplace mentor to ensure the success of the placement.
The project addresses the disadvantage and disconnection experienced by many young people transitioning into the workforce or further training – in particular, people living in public housing or from a culturally and linguistically diverse or refugee background.
WMRDA is scoping the project and will soon appoint a Project Control Group, approach potential funding sources and invite expressions of interest from suitable consultants.
Partners: LeadWest, local government.
Business incubator
Establishing a business incubator in the West will provide the services and environment necessary to assist local small businesses to establish and grow.
The incubator will provide affordable rent, flexible space, mentoring, networking, services, support and advice. It will be located in an area where it can:
- provide a catalyst for urban and industrial renewal
- offer business support, mentoring and development services to improve the success rate of start-up businesses
- employ and train local residents
- contribute to industry diversification in the region.
The business incubator will mentor 25 to 35 businesses at any time. These businesses will eventually ‘graduate’ into the region at different rates depending on business type, progress and individual circumstances. Three years is the average time that businesses spend in the incubator.
There will be opportunities for established businesses in the region to work with and mentor incubator businesses and also to have a limited number of ‘anchor tenants’ or licensee businesses to assist with the development program.
Research is underway on existing successful business incubators in Australia and overseas. WMRDA is developing a project brief to conduct a feasibility study and implementation plan.
Partners: LeadWest, local government.
Arts based business incubator
The West has a strong emerging arts community and an arts-based incubator would encourage businesses in this sector to grow and thrive.
An incubator provides affordable rent, flexible space, mentoring, networking, services, support and advice. It will be located in an area where it can:
- provide a catalyst for urban and industrial renewal
- offer business support, mentoring and development services to improve the success rate of start-up businesses
- employ and train local residents
- contribute to industry diversification in the region.
The business incubator should mentor 25 to 35 businesses at any time. These businesses will eventually ‘graduate’ into the region at different rates depending on business type, progress and individual circumstances. Three years is the average time that businesses spend in the incubator.
Research is underway on existing successful business incubators in Australia and overseas. WMRDA is developing a project brief to conduct a feasibility study and implementation plan.
Partners: LeadWest, local government, Arts Victoria.
Taste of the West
The West has a very substantial food and wine offering, which is not widely known outside the region. In particular, the diversity of multicultural cuisine could be promoted to attract new leisure visitation and increase service sector employment. This project involves developing a substantial food and wine festival in the West as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF) in March 2012.
The festival would showcase the diversity and depth of local food and wine, and be a conduit to enhancing awareness and perceptions about the region. In 2011, the MFWF will feature a significant number of food events in Footscray. This project seeks to build on that, and include an expanded range of events throughout the West in 2012.
The project seeks to:
- stage at least one major food/wine related event within each municipality, with each event themed around the product strengths of the location
- engage local trader groups, hospitality industry operators and LGAs to deliver the event(s)
- provide overall project coordination and centrally coordinated marketing through the appointment of a part-time project coordinator
- leverage the marketing reach of the MFWF to introduce new markets to the unique food offering in the West
- utilise hospitality and event students from Victoria University in a volunteer capacity to provide real life work experiences that improve their skills and create networks with employers
- strengthen local trader group networks through their engagement in the project.
WMRDA is scoping the project and will soon appoint a Project Control Group, approach potential funding sources and invite expressions of interest from suitable consultants.
Partners: LeadWest, local government, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Western Tourism Alliance.
Arts and culture audit
To gain a thorough and documented understanding of the number, type and quality of arts and cultural resources that exist in the West, WMRDA and LeadWest are working with local councils and other key stakeholders to develop an Arts and Cultural Audit. This will be Stage 1 of a regional Arts and Cultural Strategy. The intention of the project is to gather a comprehensive picture and database of all arts and cultural assets in the region to identify the strengths and weaknesses in this sector and determine the gaps that need to be filled.
Assets to be considered will be inclusive of:
- human capital (such as an artists’ registers)
- teaching facilities
- infrastructure
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- performing arts spaces
- galleries and other exhibition/display spaces
- other arts venues
- arts business support.
WMRDA and project partners will work on scoping the project over the coming months.
Partners: LeadWest, local government, Arts Victoria, universities, TAFE institutes, AimWest .
Education strategy
A clear goal for the West is to improve education outcomes and skill levels. Discussions have been held with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Western Region) to work out how this can be best addressed.
This will require a whole of government approach with the Education Department, schools in the West, Victoria University and related community organisations. The strategy will investigate reasons for the lower educational outcomes for the community of the West and look at strategies to address these. Increased community awareness of education and employment options and adult education will need to be included as part of a holistic strategy. The strategy will also include an implementation plan with recommended monitoring and evaluation methods.
Partners: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, local government.
Social inclusion strategy
Given the broad spectrum of cultural diversity, significant number of new migrants in the region and below-average socioeconomic characteristics of parts of the community, a social inclusion strategy will be developed to recommend ways to address these issues.
The project will:
- present the baseline level of social inclusion issues
- explore in depth homelessness, intergenerational joblessness, children at risk of long term disadvantage, disability, mental illness, gambling, addiction, gaps and disadvantage for indigenous and culturally diverse communities, and related issues
- research and provide a situational analysis
- develop a detailed document with clearly defined strategies for implementation by regional stakeholders in partnership with all levels of government.
Partners: LeadWest, Department of Planning, Department of Human Services, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, community sector organisations.
Transport advocacy
WMRDA has worked in partnership with LeadWest to advocate for improved transport links in the region, for example Westlink, the Regional Rail Link and the Truck Action Plan. WMRDA and LeadWest will continue this advocacy role. In addition, WMRDA has formed a strategic partnership with the National Transport Commission (NTC). NTC and WMRDA are currently investigating areas of common interest such as the possibility of trialling high productivity vehicles on designated routes within the West. Other projects under consideration include employment and education in the transport, logistics and supply chain management sector.
Partners: LeadWest, National Transport Commission.
Western Futures Forum 2011
WMRDA is planning a forum involving western Melbourne business, community groups and all three levels of government. The goal is to drive discussion and agreement on the critical issues for western Melbourne, including those identified in the WMRDA Regional Plan. Integral to this will be the involvement of the local community and local Members of Parliament. Raising the profile of the West, as well as addressing some of the negative perceptions of the region and celebrating achievements will focus discussion and debate. The forum will also develop ideas for future strategies.
Partners: LeadWest, Australian Government, Victorian Government, local government, local business, education and training sector.
