Post on 06-Oct-2020
March 2014
Contents
Introduction
Regions by WRRG and councils
SV contacts for regions (August 2014)
Acronyms
Map: Strategic Coordinators & WRRG's
Loddon Mallee Regional features Key facts Demography Political context Regional context Regional priorities Economic profile Funded sustainability project examples SWOT analysis
Further reading
Sustainability Victoria
Level 28, Urban Workshop
50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne 3000
T 1300 363 744
E info@sustainability.vic.gov.au
sustainability.vic.gov.au
© Sustainability Victoria 2014
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Disclaimer
Information in this document is current as at February 2014. While all professional care has been
taken in preparing this document, Sustainability Victoria accepts no liability for loss or damages
incurred as a result of reliance placed upon its content.
Introduction
This document provides a snapshot of the Loddon Mallee region. It is not an exhaustive compilation
of regional information, but instead focuses on information that is considered relevant to SV’s priority
outcomes in integrated waste management and resource efficiency.
It has been produced by SV’s Strategic Coordinator based in the region. Information has been drawn
from plans and strategies, including regional strategic plans and growth plans, and other documents,
as well as discussions with key regional personnel.
This document aims to assist SV staff to understand regional conditions so that SV and our
stakeholders (e.g. Waste and Resource Recovery Groups) can
• Work more effectively across the portfolio
• Design and develop relevant programs and projects
• Prepare their business plans.
Regions by WRRG and councils
Region WRRG and Executive Officer LGA/councils
Barwon South
West
Barwon South West WRRG
Acting EO Jane McKellar
Colac Otway Shire Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Queenscliffe Borough Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Gippsland Gippsland WRRG
Acting EO Mathew Peake
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Latrobe City Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council
Grampians Grampians Central West WRRG
Acting EO Kerrie Tomkins
Hindmarsh Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Ballarat City Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Hume Goulburn Valley WRRG
Acting EO Nick Nagle
Campaspe Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
North East WRRG
Acting EO Brooke Hermans
Alpine Shire Council
Benalla Rural City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Wodonga Rural City Council
(and three Alpine resorts)
Loddon Mallee Loddon Mallee WRRG
Acting EO Karen Fazzani
Greater Bendigo City Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Buloke Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Mildura Rural City Council
SV contacts for regions (August 2014)
Division Barwon
South West
Gippsland Grampians Hume Loddon-
Mallee
Engagement
Statewide Engagement Team
Manager : Andrew Straker (03) 8626 8813
Strategic
Coordinators
Amy O’Brien
0418 149068
Luke Wilkinson
0427 850
478
Trish Kevin
0409 060109
Martina
Rienzner
0408 110
431
Kristy Roche
0419 311 765
Education Team
Manager : Kate Greer (03) 8626 8878
Claire Ruedin
(03)
86268747
Simon Hum
(03) 8626
8793
Candyce
Presland
(03)
86268774
Simon Hum
(03)
86268793
Candyce
Presland
(03)
86268774
Integrated Waste Management
Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy
Manager : David Cocks (03) 86268765
Barwon South
West
Andrew
Buzacott
(03)
86566701
Marcus Fogarty
(03)
86268788
Gippsland
Grampians
Central West
Nick Bailey
(03)
86268824
Ben Stephenson
(03)
86268807
Goulburn
Valley
Nicola Thom
(03)
86268726
North East
David Cocks
(03)
86268765
Loddon Mallee
David Cocks
(03)
86268765
Nick Bailey
(03)
86268824
Kelly Wickham
(03)
86268820
Resource Efficiency
Business Productivity Team
Manager: Katrina Woolfe (03) 86268823
Yolanda Sztarr
(03)
86268843
Nick
Katsanevakis
(03)
86268755
Andrew Haus
(03)
86268874
Helen Scott
(03)
86268855
Kel Dummett
(03)
86268729
Acronyms
ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics
ALP Australian Labor Party
CBD Central Business District
CMA Catchment Management Authority
DSDBI Department of State Development, Business and Innovation
DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
DTPLI Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
DEPI Department of Environment and Primary Industries
EEIG Energy Efficiency Information Grant
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
HACC Home and community care
IWM Integrated waste management
kV Kilovolts (equivalent to 1000 volts)
LGA Local government area
LP Liberal Party of Australia
LPO Litter Prevention Officer
MAC Ministerial Advisory Committee on Waste and Resource Recovery Governance
Reform, 2013
NP National Party of Australia
RDA Regional Development Australia
RDV Regional Development Victoria
ResourceSmart
AuSSI Vic
ResourceSmart Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative Victoria
RMF Regional Management Forum
RWMG Regional Waste Management Group (now Waste and Resource Recovery
Groups)
SME Small to medium sized enterprise
SV Sustainability Victoria
SV2015 SV’s Strategic Plan 2012–15
TAFE Technical and Further Education
VECCI Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry
WRRG Waste and Resource Recovery Group
Strategic Regional
Coordinators
Luke Wilkinson
DEPI office, Traralgon
T 1300 363 744
M 0427 850 478
Martina Reinzner
DEPI office, Seymour
T 5735 4330
M 0408 110 431
Kristy Roche
DEPI office,
Epsom
T 5430 4544
M 0419 311 765
Trish Kevin
DEPI office,
Ballarat
T 5336 6856
M 0409 060 109
Amy O’Brien
DEPI office,
Colac
T 5233 5549
M 0418 149 068
Kim Johnson
Ray Liversidge
SV office Melbourne
T 1300 363 744
Region Gippsland Hume Loddon Mallee Grampians Barwon South West Metropolitan
Population 260,766 309,986 278,395 224,636 373,191
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 10
Loddon Mallee regional features
Features Details
Subregion Loddon Mallee WRRG
City of Greater Bendigo Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Buloke Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Mildura Shire Council
Two sub regions listed by RDV:
• Loddon Mallee North:
Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Buloke Shire
Council’ Gannawarra Shire Council, Shire of Campaspe (SV’s North
East Region)
• Loddon Mallee South:
Loddon Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander
Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Central Goldfields
Shire Council (SV’s Grampians region)
Geographical features
• The Murray River – spanning a total length of 2520 kilometres and
with its tributaries is the third largest water catchment on earth.
• Key town centres include Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton,
Castlemaine, Bendigo, Wedderburn, Wycheproof, Charlton, Ouyen,
Kerang, Swan Hill, Red Cliffs and Mildura.
• National Parks situated within the Loddon Mallee region include
Murray Sunset national Park, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, and
Greater Bendigo National Park. Other Loddon Mallee parks include
the Kooyora State Park, Mount Alexander Regional Park, Macedon
Regional Park, Maldon Historical Reserve, and Hanging Rock
Recreation Reserve.
Transport
• Major train routes include passenger services from Melbourne to
Bendigo to Swan Hill/Echuca. A commercial freight train operates
between Mildura and Bendigo.
• Mildura has the largest rural airport in Victoria, with regular passenger
services. Bendigo also provides commercial and selected passenger
services.
• Due to its central location, the Loddon Mallee links into the Adelaide
to Sydney Road corridor, the South Australian Riverland, the western
and southern Riverina in NSW and Broken Hill.
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 1 1
Major roads and travel
times
From To Distance (km) Travel time
(hours)
Melbourne Bendigo 152 1:43
Bendigo Mildura 401 4.45
Bendigo Swan Hill 187 2:30
Key infrastructure
• Reticulated gas networks in Mildura (SA Power Networks) and
Bendigo (SP AusNet). Share in a $100 million gas redevelopment
project will include Loddon Mallee infrastructure.
• Bendigo, Kerang and Mildura are connected to 220 kV transmission
lines.
• Powercor provides the electricity network across Western Victoria,
incorporating Loddon Mallee.
• Expansion of the Bendigo airport to support emergency services
within the region.
• Development of the Bendigo rail network to include Eaglehawk and
Epsom station expansion.
• New Bendigo Hospital: the largest regional hospital development in
Victoria’s history and one of the largest hospital projects across
Australia. Redevelopment works are valued at $630 million dollars.
• Mildura Hospital upgrade of $5 million to expand health services in
the region.
• Mildura Riverfront Master plan project to develop an $11 million
marina and conference centre.
• La Trobe University (Bendigo and Mildura)
• Monash University – School of Rural Health (Bendigo)
• Bendigo TAFE (Bendigo)
• SuniTAFE - Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (Mildura)
Key facts
• The Loddon Mallee region encompasses a quarter of Victoria’s land mass.
• The region is famous for the waterways of the Murray River, which is a major producer of fruit,
wine, nuts, and vegetables, dairy products, cereals, meat and wool. The region produces over
30% of Victoria’s grains, over 40% of its fruit, and more than 80% of its wine grapes.
• The region is also acclaimed for its restaurants and wineries, heritage towns and National Parks
and forests.
• The Mildura region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters, and is
part of the warmest regions of Victoria.
• Mildura Rural City Council is geographically the largest council in Victoria.
• The City of Greater Bendigo is the third largest regional centre in Victoria.
• The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is the only Australian bank to be headquartered in a regional
area.
• Many of the large towns were built on gold mining but are now reliant on manufacturing, tourism
and service provision.
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 12
Demography
Population: 270,000 (approx.)
• Mildura Rural City Council has a population of approximately 53,122, with the cross-border
community of Wentworth (NSW) consisting of 8,000 people. The township of Mildura itself has
approximately 30,000 residents. The City of Greater Bendigo has a population of approximately
103,722 and is growing by 2% annually.
• Swan Hill Rural City Council region has a population of approximately 20 972, and approximately
10,394 people in neighbouring Gannawarra Shire.
• Buloke Shire Council has a population of 6,364, and 8,600 within Loddon Shire Council.
• Mount Alexander Shire consists of approximately 17,803 people, with neighbouring Macedon
ranges Shire consisting of 41,860 people.
• The population of Macedon Ranges Shire is projected to increase by 2% between 2010 and
2022, while Buloke Shire is projected to decline by 4%.
• The southern region of Loddon Mallee (Bendigo, Mt Alexander and Macedon Ranges) is
expected to continue at a growth rate 50% above other regional areas (centres of Bendigo,
Castlemaine, Kyneton and Maryborough). The sustained growth rate is contributed to geographic
proximity to Melbourne.
Political context
Level Representative
Federal (Note: Bendigo borders Ballarat and McEwan federal regions).
Andrew Broad NP Member for Mallee
Lisa Chesters ALP Member for Bendigo
State - Victorian Legislative Assembly
Jacinta Allan ALP (Bendigo East)
Joanne Duncan ALP (Macedon)
Maree Edwards ALP (Bendigo West)
Peter Crisp NP (Mildura)
Peter Walsh NP (Swan Hill)
State- Victorian Legislative Council
Damian Drum NP Bendigo
Amanda Miller LP Woodend
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 1 3
Regional context
• Mildura Rural City Council achieved their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of a minimum
of 20% below 2005–06 levels by 2011–12 as outlined in the Final Greenhouse Action Plan 2007 -
2012. This plan was replaced by the Energy Management Plan in 2012 which sets a 10%
reduction in energy consumption over the next five years.
• Mildura Rural City Council achieved a successful tender for kerbside recycling, and completed a
successful trial for kerbside organics, which has resulted in a formal tender application for 2014.
• Ongoing support for commercial and industrial energy efficiency projects within the Mildura
region, being led by Mildura Development Corporation.
• The City of Greater Bendigo is committed to reducing their carbon emissions by 50% by 2020.
The council is currently reviewing their Carbon Management Plan 2009 – 2012 and completing
their Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan including a system to monitor and report on the
council’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Greater City of Bendigo Waste Management Strategy community consultation period closed
early December 2013 for the regions revised strategy.
• Mount Alexander Shire Council is continuing to track emissions as part of Council Climate
Change Action plan 2011-2014, and deliver on council’s 2011-14 Greenhouse Action Plan.
• A review of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Waste Management Strategy is expected by June
2014, in conjunction with the shires Macedon Ranges Climate Change Action Plan.
• The Loddon Mallee area is actively facilitating the development of large-scale solar energy
generation facilities within the region, while removing structural barriers to the development of
cost effective renewable energy.
Regional priorities
Region Focus Major projects
Loddon Mallee South • Transport: connect existing cities
and towns
• Employment: stimulate local jobs
• Infrastructure: improve transport,
broadband access and energy
supply infrastructure
• Education: increase tertiary
education
• Sustainable land use in Bendigo
• Sandhurst Theatre
• New Bendigo Hospital
• Bendigo Art Gallery expansion
Loddon Mallee North • Regional development:
residential, industrial and
commercial development
• Renewable energy: Develop
large-scale solar generation
• Infrastructure: continued
investment in transport
• Employment: address skill
shortages
• Mildura Base Hospital
• Murray River bridge crossing
(Swan Hill)
• Mildura airport and riverfront
development
• Australian Tartaric Products
grape waste
to energy project (commercial
project)
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 14
High
Economic profile
• The total financial value of Loddon Mallee to Victoria’s economy through its varying industry
sectors is valued at approximately $21 billion.
• The Loddon Mallee region gains its main income from tourism, viticulture, horticulture, cropping,
cattle wool markets, equine industries, and manufacturing.
• The region is classed as one of the main food producing areas in Victoria ranging from irrigation
supported horticulture, dry land horticulture, dry land cropping, and dry land grazing.
• Additional key drivers for the region includes healthcare and social assistance programs,
transport and warehousing services, arts and recreation, and professional services.
• The Bendigo Bank is the only Australian bank to be headquartered in a regional area and
provides great economic and social support to the region.
• There is strong support for renewable energy markets and opportunities, including large and small
scale solar.
• The service sector (especially health and education) and related industries are growing. Other
strong
• economies include information technology and professional and business services.
• New economic opportunities include renewable energy, particularly large-scale solar projects;
mineral sands; and nature-based and Indigenous tourism.
Funded sustainability project examples
Recent SV projects
• Regional Victoria Community Solar Hubs program: Bendigo and Mildura
• Central Victoria Solar City - Data Monitoring and Reporting for the
Central Victorian Solar Cities Program. Delivered by Sustainable
Regional Australia
• Smart Energy Zones: Central Victoria Solar City (Community solar parks
in Bendigo and Ballarat)
• Calder Highway Illegal Dumping and Litter Investigation Squad
• Mildura Education Centre (Eco Living project – Learning from a Landfill
project) officially opened in June and Final Report due August.
• RED Group - Recycling Plus Education = the Difference. Delivered by
RED Group Holding, engaging Victorian schools. Working with RWMGs.
Current SV projects
• Transition support to improve rural landfill infrastructure program, Mt
Alexander Shire Council, Castlemaine landfill
• Organics trial, Veolia Environmental Services, Lake Boga -Swan Hill
• Mildura Eco Living Centre, Mildura Rural City Council
• Wycheproof Community Resource Centre, winner of the Keep Australia
Beautiful Victoria, Community Government Partnership Award, Keep
Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy
Towns -Sustainable Communities Awards 2012.
• Smarter Resources Smarter Business Energy and Materials Grants.
• Wycheproof, Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Town of the Year
2012.
• Loddon Mallee WRRG (Mildura projects) include sharps and medical
waste, education kit upgrades, kerbside organics trial and tenders,
polystyrene compactor, home recycling eco bin, dog pouches, food waste
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 1 5
avoidance and Kerbside Pride for business, and attendance at the
Mildura Sustainability Living Festival 2013.
• Loddon Mallee WRRG (Central Murray projects) include Kerbside Pride
organics and education, increased awareness of recycling and waste
diversion (get it sorted, Kerbside Pride), Reduce Litter Grant, landfill and
transfer station assessment.
• Loddon Mallee WRRG (Calder projects) include organics management
strategy, green organics on farm management trial and Get it Right on
Bin Night campaign.
Third party
sustainability projects
• Resilient Community Assets Project, a joint grant project between Mount
Alexander, Macedon Ranges, Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra Shire
Councils under the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership.
The $240, 000 will address climate adaptation policies and programs in
the region and collaboration between the councils.
• Australian Tartaric Products in Colignan (Mildura region) received $1.7
million grant from Clean Tech Investment Program and $1.8 million from
RDV for a $7.5m bioenergy plant
• Grays Bakery in Kerang received $100,000 through the Victorian
Business Flood Recovery Fund to install new energy efficient ovens,
lighting and double-glazed windows.
• Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance received funding from the EEIG
program to offer road show seminars, partly funded business energy
assessments and award programs to SMEs in central Victoria
• The Victorian Government funds natural gas supply with a share of $100
million to extend natural gas across regional Victoria and encourage
greater investment in the regions
• City of Greater Bendigo Council received $380,000 from the
Commonwealth Government through the Community Energy Efficiency
Program to increase energy efficiency in seven of its highest energy
using facilities
Regional Profiles – Loddon Mallee | 16
SWOT analysis
Strengths
• Diverse agricultural region
• Diverse economic drivers
• Employment and training opportunities
• Close proximity to Melbourne (Southern
Loddon Mallee)
• Mildura and Bendigo airports
• Good infrastructure in regional centres
• Sustained growing population in majority of
council regions (especially southern Loddon
Mallee)
• State-of-the-art education facilities throughout
the region
• An abundance of sunshine (north of the
Dividing Range) and historic context for
tourism
Opportunities
• Exploitation of solar resources remains an
opportunity for the region.
• Further development of horticulture and
efficient farming practices.
Weaknesses
• Low population density in North Loddon
Mallee, with high growth in the southern
council regions.
• Travel distances from regions north of
Bendigo are prohibitive.
• Lack of broadband connection restrictive
• Skill shortages and mismatch or trained
workers for jobs available, therefore
excessive commuting from Bendigo, Mount
Alexander and Macedon Ranges regions to
Melbourne for employment.
Threats
• Maintaining infrastructure
• Ageing populations throughout Loddon
Mallee, particularly more isolated rural
farming zones to the north of Bendigo.
• Economy is vulnerable to unfavourable
exchange rates, and current uncertainty in
horticultural based industries.
• Skills and /or job shortages
1 7 | Regional Profiles – Further reading
Further reading
This section provides a list of organisations providing regional development information in Victoria.
All web addresses are correct as at June 2013.
ClimateWorks Australia
ClimateWorks Australia publishes a number of plans related to lowering emissions, including the low
carbon growth plans for Geelong and Gippsland.
www.climateworksaustralia.org/publications.html
Council websites
Most councils publish economic reports and statistics on their websites. A full list of councils with
websites is available on the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure website.
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/find-your-local-council
Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI)
DSDBI has published an Industry Atlas of Victoria (2011).
www.dsdbi.vic.gov.au/research-reports/industry-atlas-of-victoria
Regional Development Victoria (RDV)
RDV provides regional development summaries on the five regions and publishes regional and
subregional growth plans and strategic plans.
www.rdv.vic.gov.au/victorian-regions.
Fuelled for Growth: The 2012 Ernst and Young report on bioenergy (Fuelled for Growth: Investing in
Victoria’s biofuels and bioenergy industries) is available for download at
www.rdv.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry-programs/biofuels-and-bioenergy.
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (DTPLI)
DTPLI publishes regional and subregional growth plans and strategic plans for Victorian regions.
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/projects-and-programs/regionalgrowthplans/
Profile.id
Profile.id uses the 2011 Census to provide comprehensive, online, socio-demographic profiles
of local government areas.
www.home.id.com.au/id-community/local-govt-products/profileid.
WRRG websites
The WRRGs publish business plans and annual reports on their websites. For a full list of WRRGs
and their websites, see contact details listed on the SV website: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au.