Response to CH RSP
Integrated Regional Land Use Planning
The Government supports the identified need for support in land use planning and will provide support the region. The Government will:- fund the development of a Regional Land Use Plan for the Central Highlands region involving all local government members of the region. Immediate urban growth issues relate to Ballarat and Moorabool;
- actively partner with Moorabool Shire to implement settlement planning principles to assist in growth planning and management in the Shire as part of Melbourne’s hinterland.
Sustainable Small Towns
The Government will provide up to $1,547,800 million support for projects that contribute to sustainable growth and liveability in small towns in the region, including:
- Elmhurst Community Precinct - Ararat LGA - ($230,000 grant for $310,000 project)
- Avoca Community Hub - Pyrenees LGA - ($117,800 grant for $157,800 project)
- Daylesford, Vincent street revitalisation - Hepburn Shire LGA - ($300,000 grant for $400,000 project)
- Linton Community Precinct Development - Golden Plains LGA - ($300,000 grant for $400,000 project)
- St Arnaud Heritage Streetscape stage 2 - Northern Grampians LGA - ($300,000 grant for $400,000 project)
- Blackwood Communities Facilities Project - Moorabool LGA - ($300,000 grants for $400,000 project)
Economic Development
The Government will provide $400,000 to Grampians Regional Development Australia (RDA) to support, develop and implement economic development actions identified in the Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plans.
Industry and Workforce Development
Government will provide $20,000 to the Australian Industry Group (AiG) for the establishment of a Ballarat Industry Network to develop a mentoring and leadership program in the manufacturing sector. This grant will compliment implementation of the recently announced Ballarat Industry and Workforce Development project.
Strengthening Regional Leadership
The Government will provide $100,000 over three years to Committee for Ballarat to support the Leadership Ballarat and Western Region project. Funding through the Developing Regional Leaders Program.
Improving Liveability for Older People
The Government will provide $20,000 funding to support Pyrenees and Central Goldfields Shires respectively to plan and deliver projects that will make a positive difference to the quality of life, social participation, health and wellbeing of older people.
Regional City Development
The Government recognises that importance of strengthening the regions main service city and will work with the Ballarat City Council to progress the Ballarat CBD revitalisation Strategy.
Tourism Development
Support the region in identifying opportunities for heritage designation at the national and international level, assess the feasibility and obligations of the designations and marketing and tourism advantages. Work with neighbouring municipalities in the Loddon Mallee region as appropriate to advance this feasibility proposal.
Developing Community Hubs
The Government supports the region’s approach to the development of community hubs as a solution to the need for more integrated service delivery in smaller towns. The Government will broker the exploration of funding partnerships between Federal, State and Local Governments for potential projects, such as the Halls Gap Community and Tourism Hub.
Improve Broadband Connectivity
The Government will work with local governments and the Regional Development Australia Committee to strengthen the positioning of the region for the National Broadband Network rollout. The Government will also provide support through its Re-Innovate program to develop new applications for increased uptake of the new Broadband infrastructure.