The Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy contains “resilience interventions”, ways we will try to increase the resilience of our region. For example, because we know that regions that manage their resources effectively are more resilient, intervention C1 will trial a regional circular economy coordinating body to connect waste and inputs across industries.
The proposed interventions have been developed with diverse expertise from people across the region, focusing on agricultural landscapes within the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. As we implement the interventions, we will learn what works best and amend the strategy, the systems and the actions accordingly.
Futures of Agriculture
Goal
The goal of this intervention stream is to build the ability of the agriculture sector to address change and thereby increase resilience. The interventions focus on attracting investment, embracing technology, diversifying crop types and improving supporting infrastructure.
How does this intervention stream contribute to resilience?
This region already has extensive experience in developing unique responses to challenges. The Goulburn Murray regional economy is expected to remain dominated by agriculture and food. The proposed interventions in this stream focus on building the ability of the region’s agricultural systems to be resilient in the face of change – supporting long term prosperity. By enabling diversification, improving productivity efficiencies, increasing connectivity, and embracing complexity, these interventions allow the region to absorb and respond to future challenges and shocks.
What is the alternative if we do nothing?
Irrigated agriculture dominates the Goulburn Murray region, and in recent years, economic growth has been at or near zero and productivity is falling. If we don’t proactively respond to the challenges of climate change, decline in water resources and farm structural adjustment, the region will continue to stagnate and then decline.
Current interventions
A1 - Agricultural redevelopment coordination
The Agricultural Redevelopment Coordination (ARC) Project will provide a one-stop shop for agricultural investment. Provision of data, guidance on approval processes, case management of development proposals, and inter agency liaison, would be key services provided.
A2 - Indigenous crop production
A3 - Build smart farming capability
A4 - AgriTourism network
A5 - Regional resilience fund
Learning for Change
Goal
The goal of this intervention stream is to support our region to learn so we can develop innovative ways to address change and challenges. The interventions selected focus on increasing skills, knowledge and information flows.
How does this intervention stream contribute to resilience?
The interventions proposed in this stream will support learning and knowledge flows across our region. This will help people increase the skills and knowledge needed to achieve resilience.
What is the alternative if we do nothing?
Throughout the engagement undertaken in development of the Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy, we heard that many farmers, industries and communities struggle with change because they don’t have the knowledge or skills needed to adapt or transform.
Without learning, people, businesses and organisations across this region will persist with approaches that don’t work in a changed environment.
Current interventions
B1 - Goulburn Murray learning centre
B2 - A Goulburn Murray regional hub in the One Basin CRC
B3 - Coordinated regional research
B4 - Renewed Rural Skills Connect
Circular Economy
Goal
The goal of this intervention stream is to support our region to develop a circular economy, underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources. A circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. It aims at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.
How does this intervention stream contribute to resilience?
The Goulburn Murray region currently uses enormous amounts of resources, including energy and water, and in the process, we produce large amounts of waste products. There are huge opportunities for us to work together to transition to create a circular economy, transitioning to renewable energy, connecting waste and inputs and transforming the way goods are produced and used within the region. The proposed interventions will support industry development, improve soil fertility, decarbonise industry and repurpose or reuse waste streams, will make us less reliant on external resources, and build buffers so we can absorb and respond to challenges and future shocks.
What is the alternative if we do nothing?
Throughout the engagement undertaken in development of the Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy, we heard that many farmers, industries and communities struggle with change because they don’t have the knowledge or skills needed to adapt or transform.
Without learning, people, businesses and organisations across this region will persist with approaches that don’t work in a changed environment.
C1 - Regional circular economy coordination
C2 - Biogas pilot project
C3 - Locally owned energy and trading
C4 - Indigenous renewables startup
C5 - By-products as fertiliser
C6 - Circular economy seed fund
Natural and Built Assets
Goal
The goal of this intervention stream is to have natural and built assets that support social, economic and environmental resilience within our agricultural landscapes. Natural assets include waterways, forests, soils and their related ecosystems. Built assets include transport, water and power networks plus public and private infrastructure and facilities. Both provide important economic, recreational and environmental services and functions.
How does this intervention stream contribute to resilience?
The proposed interventions in this stream focus on building the natural and built assets that support the region to be resilient in the face of change – supporting long term prosperity. By enabling diversification, improving productivity efficiencies, increasing connectivity, and embracing complexity, these interventions allow the region to absorb and respond to future challenges and shocks.
What is the alternative if we do nothing?
Irrigated agriculture dominates the Goulburn Murray region, and in recent years, economic growth has been at or near zero and productivity is falling. If we don’t proactively respond to the challenges of climate change, decline in water resources and farm structural adjustment, the region will continue to stagnate and then decline.
D1 - Alternative transport technologies
D2 - Collaborative and alternative digital solutions
D3 - Foster environmental tourism
D4 - Regional resilience fund - Natural assets
Leadership and coordination
Goal
The goal of this intervention stream is to support our region to lead and coordinate actions that will foster a culture of resilience in the Goulburn Murray region. The interventions selected focus on increasing resilience capacity, increasing information flows and improving community connectivity.
How does this intervention stream contribute to resilience?
The interventions proposed in this stream will encourage self-organisation, coordinate activity, provide accountability and increase resilience capacity. This will help our region drive adaptation and transformation from within.
What is the alternative if we do nothing?
Throughout the engagement undertaken during development of the Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy, community and industry told us that local leadership and coordination will be crucial to build resilience. Without it, the region will be subject to policy and projects that aren’t suited to its complex and unique dynamics.
E1 - Resilience capacity building
E2 - Resilience seed bank
E3 - Community leadership forums
Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy (PDF 4375.37 KB)
Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy (DOCX 10032.4 KB)
If you would like to find out more about the Goulburn Murray Resilience Strategy, email Goulburn.Partnership@rdv.vic.gov.au