Wimmera Southern Mallee
The Wimmera Southern Mallee region involves six municipalities in western Victoria: Hindmarsh, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Buloke (which is also engaged with the Loddon Mallee Northern region).
Economic Base
- Historically supported by broadacre agriculture with many small, rural communities surrounding the major regional centre of Horsham
- Expansion of high-value production, and potential for new enterprises arising from the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, are becoming increasingly important to the regional economy.
Opportunities
- Stawell has Victoria's largest working gold mine and there are opportunities to develop the minerals sands industry in the Murray Basin.
- Track record of collaboration and partnership to deliver major initiatives including the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, and a study into large-scale solar prospects for the region
- Leveraging new investment from increased water security in the region as a result of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
- Expanding the investment in renewable energy sectors and small towns
- Developing new nature-based and Indigenous tourism products in and around the Grampians National Park.
Challenges
- Horsham has experienced steady growth in recent years, but an overall ageing of the population, and population decrease within the region, has prompted investigation into new measures to stabilise and/or grow populations, particularly in smaller communities.
- The impact of climate change on agricultural production, water supply and security present challenges to regional communities and industries.
- The region recognises it can no longer rely almost exclusively on its agricultural economic base and is seeking to diversify industry, attract new investment and develop new industries through education, infrastructure and broadband connectivity.
Visit here for more details about the Grampians' outlook
Following is the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional plan as presented to the Victorian Government:
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Download the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plan - June 2010 (PDF 646.3 KB) |