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~------~~~------( . 711.4099 00111156 I 454 C08:T Moira Towns 2010 Strategy: towns centre strategies {for} Cobram, I . Yarrawonga, Numurkah . I I I -I I I

I TABLE OF CONTENTS

I EXECUTIVE SUMMARy ...... 1 Cobram...... 1

I Yarrawonga ...... 2 I Numurkah ...... 4 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 6

I 1.2 Aims of the Moira 2010 Towns Strategy ...... 6 I 2 BACKGROUND TO STRATEGY ...... 7 2.1 Previous Studies ...... •.....•...... •...... • · •...... ·.·· ~ ...... 7 ~I 2.2 Moira Towns 2010 Process...... ~ ...... ••...... 7

3. RETAIL CENTRE ANALYSES - Cobram, Yarrawonga And I Numurkah ...•...... 10 I '3.1 Introduction ...... ; ...... 10 3.2 Economic And. Business Profile; .... ~ ...... •...... ~ ...... 1 0

3.3 T'own Centre .Land Use Surveys· ...... ;-...... 13 I . . I 3.4 Meetings' with Traders...... ····· ... ~ ... 15 3.5 Retail Analysis ...... ··········· .16

I 4. TOWN CENTRE ANALYSES .& STRATEGIES ...... 25 I 4.1 Cobram...... · .... ··· ...... ;26 4.2 Yarrawonga ...... ~ ...... 47

4.3 Numurkah...... ··· ...... ················6 6 I APPENDICES ...... 81 I I I I I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Moira Towns 2010 Strategy has developed town centre strategies for Cobram. Yarrawonga and Numurkah. The Strategy process contains for major elements. They are I retail market assessment, community consultation, concept and design proposals for each town centre and an implementation program for each town centre. I The key findings and recommendations of the Strategy are summarised in the Executive Summary. I Cobram

I Summary of Findings and Recommendations

I 1) Cobram performs the role of a local service centre for a region with a rapidly developing horticultural industry. The town centre mainly provides for convenience shopping though government sector activities are also important. Cobramcan I develop market wide as a primary agricultural service centre. 2) Cobram's role and town centre design improvements can be promoted on the basis of a range of themes - agricultural service centre, multi-cultural theme, river town and water tourism. I " . . '. . .' . 3) Population estimates and forecasts indicate that Cobramwill continue to experience population growth over the next 10 to 15 years. .

4) Future prospects for Cobram town centre appear to be promising based on :

• the regional role the town centre performs in personal and household goods I sector, • the 64% capture rate of retail expenditure in its trade catchment area. • a retail turnover density figure (ie.$/rn2) that is higher than the Goulburn Region figure. I • potential for increased retail expenditure capture rate in the food sector due to proposed supennarket. I • projected population increases for Cobram and immediate district. 5) Town centre functions can be improved and strengthened by priority design improvements that provide an activity focus in the central precinct (ie. Bank/Punt I Street/Sydney Road). 6) Main Street is identified for longer term retail and business development. Development and redevelopment along Main Street to William Street needs to be I guided by design principles relating to scale, building setback, height, form etc. 7) Design of the new supennarket needs to be integrated with existing retail area in I terms of built form and landscape elements. 8) Built form character of the town centre needs to be enhanced by encouraging the diversity of architectural styles, a stronger acknowledgment of heritage buildings and I improvement to presentation of sites and locations. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Ply Ltd I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I 9) Cobram streetscape could be improved by a range of initiatives including a streetscape theme (seating, lighting, etc.), use of elements of natural .and cultural setting, a program to place powerlines underground, better pavement surfaces and I improved lighting. 10) Traffic circulation could be improved by reducing the number of crossroads and the introduction of roundabouts at some intersections. Traffic calming is required at I approaches to, and within the town centre triangle. 11) Existing car parking standards and requirements have the potential to discourage development. Some existing car parks have poor visual amenity and require I landscaping. I I I I 5) Pedestrian access and safety in the town centre could tJe· improved by providing . better crossing points within, and adjacent to the central precinct and by reinforcing· I existing links and where necessary establishing new pedestrian links. 6) Design proposals for the Cobram Central Triangle which includes paving, mature I trees, planting areas, seating, bollards, water sculpture and lighting, estimated to cost $106,700. 7) Design proposals for the "Cinema focus" in Bank Street which includes paving, I mature trees, celluloid paving, seats and flags are estimated to cost $38,720. I Yarrawonga I Summary of Findings and Recommendations

1) Yarrawonga is a local convenience goods centre with a distinct tourism role. I Yarrawonga also performs the role of a retirement town.

2) Future prospects of Yarrawonga town centre are good, due to a range of factors including:- I • contribution of tourists and visitors especially to retail expenditure in the food sector. • popUlation estimates and forecasts indicate relatively strong growth. I • retail turnover density (ie.$/m2) is higher than the Goulburn Region. 3) Issues of greatest importance in Yarrawonga (indicated during community consultation) include - Lake Mulwala is a distinguishing feature; bringing more I tourists into the town; enhancing the town for retirees; and maintaining I improving sports and entertainment facilities. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 2 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4) Better integration of the Lake's edge with the town centre can be achieved by making the tourist information centre a gateway and a link to the water. Improving pedestrian access along Lake's edge and into town would also achieve better I integration. 5) Further opportunities to integrate recreation and entertainment with other town centre I functions need to be investigated. I I I

I 3) A tourist activity focus can be created at the lake end of Belmore Street by consolidating tourism retailing and activities and by encouraging active uses such as cafes and restaurants.

I 4) New developm·ent needs to be encouraged by redevelopment of existing premises or development adjacent to Belmore Street rather than at outer locations that would increase length of the main street and increase the need for vehicle travel within the I town· centre . . 5) Traffic calming measures are required in Belmore Street to reduce· travel speeds, improve vehicle and pedestrian safety and to give impression of travel through a I retail and tourist precinct. 6) Car parking could be improved by the provision of parking areas at the rear of shops. Additional parking could be provided at the Tourist Information Office and I at the foreshore.

7) Design strategies include improving pedestrian access and safety by provision of 2 options for a mid block crossing incorporating paving, Iinemarking and mature trees I at an estimated cost range of $9,680 - $13,750. Estimated cost of pavement treatment to Belmore Street between Orr and Piper Street (east side) including decorative I treatment is $95,000. 8) Design strategies also include intersection treatments including paving, trees, planting I and seating at cost estimate of $62,900 for two intersections. I I I

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I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Numurkah

I Summary of Findings and Recommendations

1) Numurkah performs the role of a local convenience centre for the town and I immediate rural area.

2) Numurkah's character is defined by its,c.ountry town atmosphere, creek and gardens I and a town centre shopping strip that has"a g'ood pedestrian scale. The highway by­ pass of the town provides opportunities for improvement in the town centre.

3) Retail custom is localis~d catering almost exclusively for immediate rural areas. It is I estimated that 49% of retail expenditure in Numurkah's trade areas is leaked to larger centres, such as Shepparton.

4) Key issues and strengths for Numurkah expressed during community consultation included - greatest assets are amenities and facilities, more community involvement is needed, a need to retain and attract business and tourists, quality of lifestyle, and I physical improvement is needed to the town centre. 5) Numurkah's future prospects will depend on how well the town centre can meet its local shopping and service role in town and district. The town centre must capitalise I on projected increases in district population over the next 10 years. 6) There is a perception that arresting the "recent retail and business de~line is connected, among other factors, to improvements in the visual appearance and function of the. I town centre.. . 7) Melville streetscape is generally poor. improvements to streetscape include street trees, improved street pavement surfaces,' urban art, improved pedestrian crossings I and improved presentation of the northern entrance to the town centre. 8) Opportunities that need to be explored include: • linking retail and other services with government and administration services. I • retail, business, government or community use of vacant shops. • developing Numurkah's recreation and entertainment role. 9)· Important landmarks and features, ego Creekside Parks, Memorial Park, Newman I Square and heritage buildings can form the basis of design improvements in Melville Street. I 10) Proposed street tree planting in Melville Street will provide a visual cue to reduce vehicle travel speed. Car parking supply can be improved by temporary use of vacant sites and incentives to encourage parking at rear of shops. I 11) A gateway feature needs to be considered at highway entrance. The approach to the town centre along Katamatite Road needs to retain and enhance use of existing water and landscape elements. I 12) Design improvements in Melville Street include new paving (ruled concrete paving) advanced tree planting, new planting beds, planting of low hedges to provide planting theme, and new mid block pedestrian crossing between Quinn and Saxton Streets. I Melville Street streetscape works are estimated to be $120,000 including maintenance and design contingency. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 4 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 13) Other design and streetscape improvements include street lighting, new signage, relocation of the waterwheel to Newman Square, introduction of public artImura.l, and staged underground relocation of powerlines I 14) The parkland character of the town centre is to be reinforced by planting of roadside trees along the bridge, Creekside Park and the town entry. Planting of evergreen street trees along the east-west precinct entrances (Knox, Quinn and Saxton Streets) is I recommended. I 1 ·,1 I 1 1

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I Moira Towns 20 I 0 Strategy I 1 INTRODUCTION

. Moira Shire Council's decision to commission consultants to prepare the Moira Towns I 20 I 0 strategy is a clear acknowledgment by Council of the importance of planning for the future. Council and the consultants recognise that each of the Shire's principal towns have distinctive strengths and characters which can underpin future prospects. They also present opportunities which may relate to streetscape improvement, more convenience and comfort I for shoppers, increased tourism, and stronger retail performance. Towns in the population range of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah within an easy driving distance of larger regional centres need to be progressive about the future of their I town. Strategies will need to embrace a range of considerations including enhancing town centres, encouraging local shopping and preserving lifestyle quality and building on strengths whether they be tourism, retirement, recreation or heritage.

I Communities themselves must have a willingness to participate in the future of their town by working together with Council, establishing future common directions, introducing and discussing new ideas, and encouraging others to participate. The Moira Towns 2010 I project is part of that ongoing process. Working with the town communities and Council, the consultant team has undertaken retail and town assessments, identified opportunities, and formulated plans, designs and proposals I to strengthen roles of the towns and to improve the appearance and function of each town centre.

Moira Shire Council commission~d a consultant team led· by TBA Phmners to undertake I . the.MoiraTowns 2010 strategy. The consultant expresses thanks to those members of the I respective communities who so willingly gave their time to shape the future of their town. I 1.2 Aims of the Moira 2010 Towns Strategy The aims of the Moira Towns 2010 project include to : I • undertake an economic and market assessment of the towns of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah • undertake a community consultation process in each of the towns to identify issues, concerns and ideas for the each of the towns with a particular emphasis on the respective town centres. • prepare concept plus design proposals for each town with an emphasis on the town centres • prepare an implementation program setting out indicative costs and staging for proposals. I I I I 6 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd I .1

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 2 BACKGROUND TO SlRATEGY

I 2.1 Previous Studies

Major recent studies that have examined the retail sectors, town centre amenity, and the I future role of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah include:

• Moira Shire Council Draft Land Use Plan (1996) I • Moira Shire Integrated Strategy Plan Report 1 (1996) • Economic Profile for the Central Murray Region (1995) I • Cob ram Retail Profile (1996) The relevance of these studies to the Moira Towns 2010 Strategy are summarised in the following statements of issues and opportunities derived from the studies.

I • Retention of local, tourist expenditure and local retail services. • Potential to integrate tourist and retail services. • Potential to integrate shopping with recreation and entertainment activities. I • Each centre's role needs to be based on opportunities. • Dominance of the big regional centres. • Growth of river towns of Yarrawonga and Cobram. • Decline in rural service centres such as Numurkah. I • . Recreation / entertainment facilities of towns play an increasingly important role. •. Central Murray R~gion is dominated by a small· number of regional .centres and a network of small local centres (including Cobrarn, Yarrawonga and Numurkah) '. • Major economic opportunity for smaller centres is related to recreation, entertainment, I retirement, and tourism roles with traditional town centre functions. • Potential for afullline supermarket in Cobram. I Brief summaries of these studies as they relate to the Moira Towns 2010 Strategy can be found in Appendix A. I I 2.2 Moira Towns 2010 Process The preparation of this strategy involved a process involving the following stages. I Demographic Profiles Profiles for each town involved an analysis of a range of demographic factors including population trends, age composition, household income and ethnicity. Demographic I profiles for each town are provided in Appendix B.

Town Centre Land Use Surveys I Detailed land use surveys have been prepared for each of the town centres. Results of the survey record the number of businesses, estimated floorspace and percentage of total floorspace by business type for each.town. The results of the surveys are shown in chapter I 3 of this Strategy report. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 7 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Retail Centre Analysis A retail analysis has been undertaken for Cobram. Yarrawonga and Numurkah retail centres. Workshops with traders were conducted by the consultants as part of the study process. Results of the analysis are discussed in chapter 3 of the report and Chapters 4. 5 I and 6 which deal specifically with each of the town centres.

The retail analysis identifies and discusses the:

I • role •. structure and regional context of town centres; • key trends. strengths and weaknesses of town centres; _ • strategies and opportunities to improve the future performance of town centres; I • economic and business profiles of the three towns and their centres; • retail trade catchment areas; and an assessment of retail escape expenditure by retail sector.

I Community Design Workshops Community design workshops were held in each of the 3 towns. The aims of the I workshops were to: • identify important issues. opportunities and themes for town centre improvement; • generate .ideas from participants for improvement in the design. function and I performance of town centres; • articulate visions and roles for each town and its centre; and • develop preliminary town Cc:Iiln: ~ull~epl plans and designs. I . Topics for discussion and presentation included :

• focal points, places of activity, I . • access and links including traffic circulation, car parking and pedestrian movement, '.. town centre entries, . • . highway entrances, • streetscape elements such as street furniture, signage. landscaping, pavement surfaces, I • urban and built form including town centre layout. streetscape and heritage, • public space and community facilities, and • town centre precincts. I Ideas and proposals arising from the workshops are included in the discussion and plans for each town centre in chapters 4,5 and 6 of the Strategy. I Community Surveys Community surveys in the form of questionnaires were conducted in each of the towns I during the community design .workshops. Participants at the Numurkah workshop also distributed copies to other interested traders and residents. I The survey sought responses to a range of questions including: • Major assets of the town. . • Features, facilities, attractions, etc that are missing from the town. • Major challenges to be confronted. I • Attractive features of the town • Importance of tourism I • Distinguishing features of the town Survey responses are summarised in Appendix C. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 8 I , I I Moira Towns 2Q I 0 Strategy I Design Concept Plans and Proposals An analysis of each town was carried out. This analysis which included the design workshops, looked at movement and activity patterns and conflict. key sites and features, and the built form and landscape.

Town centre precincts were identified at the workshops as the focus for more detailed analysis and proposals.

Concept plans indicating the overall design intentions and improvements have been prepared for each of the town centres. These concept plans identify opportunities to I improve the design, appearance function and t

I Implementation programs have been prepared for design concepts. The implementation programs for each town centre provide indicative costings for proposed works.

Design concepts, detailed strategies and their implementation are discussed and illustrated I in Chapters 4,5, and 6 of the Strategy. I I

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I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I 3. RETAIL CEN1RE ANALYSES - Cobram, Yarrawonga I And Numurkah I 3.1 Introduction This chapter of the report is an analysis of the retail centres of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah. The aim of the chapter is to determine the role and structure of the respective town centres and their key strengths and weaknesses. It also ultimately aims to identify I strategies and opportunities to improve retail performance and guide land use planning, and development to 2010. The first section of the chapter profiles the economic and business structure of the three I towns and their centres. A town centre analysis follows with a profile of the town centres, discussion of their retail role in a regional context, establishment of retail trade catchment areas and assessment of retail escape expenditure by retail sector. The key trends ·1 · influencing the three towns are then discussed, with a view to highlight opportunities over the next 15 years. I 3.2 Economic And Business Profile

1 · Cob ram (Population 3,876)

C~b~am is the largest bllsi~ess centre in the Moira· Shire. Cobram and the immediate hiriterland has approximately 630 business and organisations, most of whiCh are iocated in I the town centre. .. . .

Cobram is primarily a service centre for its immediate region. The centre's retail I· component generally plays a local role with an emphasis on convenience goods. Cob ram has the biggest concentration of wholesale and retail traders in the Shire, and also has a regional role as a location for government sector activities. Manufacturing is also a I significant industry sector in Cobram Barooga, which is Cobram's cross-border neighbour, has a small collection of businesses. The main focus of Barooga's business centre is on the retail and accommodation, cafe and I restaurant sectors. The following table lists business type by industry in the three centres and the associated 1 · cross-border towns. I Yarrawonga (Population: 3,503) Yarrawonga is the second largest centre in the Shire and has about 460 businesses and organisation·s. Yarrawonga plays a similar but slightly lower order role to Cobram. It is a local convenience goods centre with a distinct tourism role. The significance of I Yarrawonga's tourism role is reflected in the fact that the town has the highest number of accommodation, cafe and restaurant businesses in the Shire. Mulwala, adjoining New South Wales on the other side of the Murray River has about 110 businesses and organisations. The most significant industry sector in Mulwala is by far the accommodation, cafe and restaurant sector. About 26% of all businesses located in the 1 town are in that industry sector. 1 Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 10 1 I

I Moira Towns 20 I 0 Strategy

I Numurkah(Population: 3,174)

Numurkah is the third largest business centre in the Moira Shire. Numurkah and the I immediate region has about 350 businesses and organisations most of which are located in the town centre. Numurkah, like the other centres, plays a local convenience role for its immediate rural area.

I Numurkah's overall industry structure shows a emphasis on retail trade, personal and other services and manufacturing. I Figure 1: I Bullln_ lind Organ/_lions In SeJectJed Aftoa"", Industry, ,_ /ndwtIy CoInm s.uc.ga Mlnurfcah Y4f711MD198 M_1a Country VictrHlIl

Agriculture, Forestry and Frshing 37 6% 10 13% 22 6% 17 4% 6 5% 7,142 6% Mining 0 0'Y0 0 0% 0 00/. 0 0'1'. 0 0'Y0 309 0% I ManufBCtIJring 91 14% 9 12% 51 15% 50 11% 12 11% 13,939 13% El8ctricity. Gas and Water Supply 1 00/. 0 00/. 0 0'Y0 0 00/. 1 1% 76 0% Construction 53 80/. 6 6% 36 100/. 48 10% 16 14% 11,406 10% lMlo.I>saIe Ttadll 68 11% 10 130/. 28 6% 43 9% 8 7% 10,957 10% RelBflTtad9 124 20% 12 16'Y. 76 22'Y. 104 23% 10 9% 20,192 18% I AccommodaUon, cafes and Restaurants 23 4% 12 16'Y. 19 5% 46 10% 29 26% 6,272 6% Tral'lSpOlf and Staage 18 30/. 3 4% 12 3% 17 4% 3 3% 3,045 3% Communi::etion Setvices 8 1% 2 3% 5 1% 4 1% 2 2'Y. 1,141 1% FIfl/U1C6 and Insurance 11 ?l'. 0 00/. 8 2'Y. 18 ''Yo n ~ 2,127 2% Property and Business Services 53 6% 2 30/. 30 9'l'o 45 10% 12 11"0 10,528 10% . Go .... mment AdmniStration and De/ence 52 8% 3 4% 7 2%. 16 3% 2 2% . 4,883 4% I EdIJcalion 6 1%- 2 3% 3 1% 4 1%' 2 2% 2,510 2% . Heanh and Community 'Services 23 4% 0 0% 17 5% 21 5% 2. 2% 5,785 5% Cultural and R9Cf9ation S6rvices 21 3% 3 4% 9 30/. 4 1% 2% . 3,110 3% Personal and Other ServiCes 42 T% 3 4% 27 8% 24 5% 4 4% 6,829 6% I Total 831. 100% T7 100';' ·350 100% 461 100% 111 100% 110,251 100% """""""';~dIllV"""srD""'_"'aJ~sm_ I sa:uc.'rat;nashJssRT1trv8'Bi::rJ".l9!iI!S I The distribution of industry in the three centres is shown in the following figures. I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 11 I I

I Moira Towns 20tO Strategy

Figure 2: Number of Businesses and Organisations In Selected Areas by I Industry, 1996 I ------.._--_._------I I I

~ ~ ~ , I ~ I i l ~ l · e ~ y~ ·c- ! ~ i• .: ~ i '"j .. ~ ~ i ~ I 'll -* I .t:r .:II ~ .:: I ~ I , 1 i . .... t I y'"i Ji ~ ~ t y j .. I .. '" ~ j til ~,jI ; j j . ~ Q ! 1 ~ j • I i I : • ;: I • t ~ I I ~ s .a. ~ ~ a u ~ a 1u l ,--_ ...... _ ...... _- I II Cobram • Numurkah aYarrawonga I

Figure 3: Proportion of Businesses and Organisations in Selected Areas by I Industry, 1996

I ZS96 I Z096 ~ ..... 1596 c: 0 ';:.. I 0 D. 1096 0 IS:

I 596

096 I ·i .J . i .I! -. .t.j i i ~.J ~ ~ A ~ Ii 2- i"- i i Ii , 1·. 6 011:: · d .~ ·e· , · a I ~ ..i· I III Cobram • Numurkah CYarrawonga D Country Victoria I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 12 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Regional Centres

There are a number of regional retail and commercial centres which have an impact on I levels of trade in the. three major town centres in Moira Shire. The four biggest regional centres are:-

I • Albury-Wodonga (approximately 4,550 business and organisations in its wider region~ population: 59,000)~ • Shepparton (business and organisations: 2,350~ population: 30,200); • Wangaratta (business and organisations: 1,341; population: 16,600); and • Echuca (business and organisations: 960; population: 8,000). I 3.3 Town Centre Land Use Surveys

I A detailed land use survey was prepared for each of the town centres. The results are discussed and shown in the tables below.

I Cobram

There are about 123 business and organisations in Cobram's town centre of which 88 are I .. ·dedicatedshopfront retailing establishments (food retailing, personal an9 household goods retailing and selected personal. services). About half or 19,000 square metres of the town I centre area is dedicated to retailin~ . . Cobram' s town centre is. also significantly made up of motor retailing and professional .. services businesses. There is also a significant vacant land and building supply in the town I centre. I Figure 4: Cobram Town Centre - Retail and Business Use Percent of Estimated Total I Numberof Floorspace Floorspace Business Type Businesses (sqm) (%)

I Total Food Retailing 17 4,270 11% Total Personal and Household Good Retailing 48 11,475 30% Selected Personal Services 23 3,511 9% I Pubs, Tavems and Bars 2 2,434 6% Motor Vehicle Retailing and Services 2 5,892 16% Total Business and Finance 21 4,659 12% I Public Order and Safety 2 550 1% Medical Centres/Doctors 8 1,390 4% Vacant Building and Land 19 3,685 10% I Total 142 37,866 100% I Source: TBA Planners, 1997 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 13 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Yarrawonga

Yarrawonga's town centre has about 144 businesses and organisations. Eighty-two of the I businesses are shopfront retailing establishments which take up approximately 14,000 square metres of the town's floorspace. Other significant sectors include business and finance and to a lesser extent motor vehicle I retailing, accommodation and licensed premises. There are very few vacant buildings or unoccupied land in Yarrawonga's town centre: .,._ I . ~... I Figure 5: Yarrawonga Land Percent of Estimated Total I Numberof Floorspace Floorspace Business Type Businesses (sqmJ (%)

I Total Food Retailing 14 3,021 12% Total Personal and Household GJod Retailina 58 8.909 34% Selected Personal Services 20 2,069 8% I Pubs, Taverns and Bars 4 ·1,680 6% Accommodation 5 2,610 10% Motor Vehicle Retailing and Servic~s 5 2,745 11% I Total Business and Finance 27 4,006 15% . Religious Organisations 1 105 0% Medical Centres/Doctors 6 462 2% I Vacant Building and Land 4 472 2% Total 144 26,079 100%

I Source: Ta4 Pfanners, 1997

I Numurkah

The town of Numurkah is a significant base for government services in the Shire. About I 34% of the town centre is dedicated to shopfront retailing. Business and finance is also a significant industry sector in the town. There are several vacant premises in Melville Street. I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 14 I I

I MOi:a Towns 2010 Strategy

I Figure 6: Numurksh Town Centre - Retsil snd Business Uses

I Percent of Estimated Total Numberof Floorspace F/oorspace I Business Type Businesses (%) Total Food Retailing 11 4501 11% Total Personal and Household Good Retailina 28 18% I Selected Personal Services 13 1~~ 5% Pubs. Tavemsand Bars 2 7502 18% Accommodation 1 702 2% I Motor Vehicle Retailing and Services 4 5304 13% Total Business and Finance 22 11846 29% Religious Organisations 1 264 1% I . Medical Centres/Doctors 2 384 1% Vacant Building and Land 9 1246 3% I Totsl 93 40889 100%

saurce: TBA Plsnner5. 1997 . .' '. . . I · A summary of the issues raised at these meetings is included in Appendix D.

I 3.4· Meetings with Traders

Meetings with traders in each of the three towns were conducted by the consultants as part I of the study process. The major issue identified at these meetings was the increased competition from, and retail leakage to major centres such as Shepparton, and a lesser extent to Albury-Wodonga and I other regional centres.

I Cobram

Cobram was identified by workshop participants as a service centre for the horticultural and I dairying hinterland and eco-tourism region. Although Cobram has an adequate range of · shops for its size and role, it was felt that there has been little change in or improvement to · the town during recent years. I There is an opportunity to further develop Cobram as an agricultural service centre and build on its recreation, entertainment and· eco-tourism role. Particular themes identified include a multi-cultural theme, a rural service centre theme and a manufacturing or I industry town theme. I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 15 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Yarrawonga

Workshop participants considered Yarrawonga to be a holiday and tourist destination. The I role of the town has changed from an industry focus to a tourism and retirees town. Yarrawonga's importance in the regional economic hierarchy has declined in recent years in terms of industry/manufacturing, but has increased in tourism. I The strength of the town is related to its location on the Murray River, its tourist and visitor infrastructure and a good retail mix. Opportunities identified include the further I development of the tourism theme. Numurkah

I Numurkah was identified as a fruit growing and dairying district service centre. The town centre has experienced some decline in recent years. Retail vacancy rates have increased. This has been associated with a general decline in shop quality. The key strengths of the I town are related to its small-scale, country nature and quality of life. The town could be developed along the theme of a agricultural service town and residential town given its I proximity to Shepparton and quality of life advantages. 3.5 Retail Analysis I Retail Str.ucture

Retail hierarchies· in country areas tend to be specific to particular regions. They. are I iruhienced by a number offactors including regional economies, topography and road and transport infrastructure. I The retail hierarchy in the region in which Moira Shire is located generally consists of three levels: regional centres, large local centres and small local centres. There are four regional centres, five large local centres and a further five small local centres in this area. I The regional centres are Albury-Wodonga (235,000 m2 of retail floorspace), Shepparton 2 2 2 (120,000 m ), Wangaratta (60,000 m ) and Echuca (40,000 m ).

2 The large local centres are Deniliquin (22,000 m\ Yarrawonga-Mulwala (19,000 m ), I 2 2 2 Cobram (18,000 m ), Wahgunyah (11,000 m ) and Numurkah (10,000 m ).

2 2 The small local centres are Berrigan (5,000 m ), Finley (5,000 m ), Nathalia (4,000 m\ 2 2 I Tocumwal (3,000 m ) and lerilderie (3,000 m ). . I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 16 I I

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Road distances (in kilometres) between these centres and the Moira Shire's principal towns I are as follows:

Cob. Yarm. Num. A-W. Shepp. Wang Echuca ""'"---+-==;;:;;"-~ I Cobram 36 33 123 67 93 112 Yarrawonga 36 - 57 'i!:7 99 57 139 I Numurkah 33 57 - 144 34 114 82 I Trade Catchments Trade catchments for the three towns were estimated using trade catchment surveys. Trade catchments or trade areas define the region from which about 80-90% of usual customers I reside. Trade catchment surveys were distributed to traders in the three towns. Traders were asked to note the postcode area from which each customer (who made a purchase) resides. I Survey information was compared to the regional retail hierarchy and road network to fine tune the trade area boundaries. I _Cobram - A total of 350 responses were received from retailers (in personal and household goods, personal services and recreation sectors). About 85% of survey respondents reside in 10 post code areas 1 surrounding Cobram. There were about 9,813 households in this I trade area during 1991. Yarrawonga - Retail .traders in Yarrawonga's Clothing and personal service business sectors provided 119 trade catchment survey responses. Eighty per cent of survey respondents reside in five post code areas2 surrounding Yarrawonga. This area had 5,556 I household in 1991 ..

Numurkah - The best survey response rate was provided by Numurkah's retailers. A total I of 469 responses were received from traders in a range of sectors including, food, supermarket and personal and household goods retailing. The results show that the vast majority (92%) of Numurkah's retail customers reside in only seven post code areas3 which comprised 4,038 households at the time .of the 1991 Census These postcode areas I tightly surround Numurkah, indicating that the town caters almost exclusively for the town and immediate rural area. I It is interesting to note that the survey response rate is highest in the centre which has fared worst over recent years and lowest in the centre which has been relatively successful in I recent times. Refining the Catchments

I The post code defined trade catchments of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah overlap with each other and other local level centres in the region to varying degrees. Assuming that households in overlapping post code areas are distributed equally among level one I local centres and by a factor of 0.67% between level one and level two local level centres in favour of I the former, a more refined catchment analysis is provided. This is summarised in Figure 7.

lCobram's trade catchment post code areas are: 3644.3730,3636,2713,2714,2716,2712,3641,3649 and 3640. I 2Yarrawonga's trade catchm~nt post code areas are: 2646,3730,2647,3649 and 3728. 3Numurkah's trade catchment post code areas are: 3636, 3638, 3737. 3634, 3641, 3635 and 3640. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 17 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy Cobram's trade catchment is reduced by overlap from local centres of Yarrawonga (1 post code area). N umurkah (3 post code areas), Wahgunyah and Yarrawonga (1 post code area). I lerilderie (1 post code area). Berrigan (1 post code area). Deniliquin and Finlay (1 post code area) and Deniliquin and Tocumwal (1 post code area). The total number of households in Cobram's refined trade catchment is reduced to 5.644 (1991 households I numbers). Yarrawonga's trade catchment is reduced to 2,.563 (1991 household numbers) due to overlap from Cobram (1 post code area). Wahgunyah (2 post code areas) and Cobram and I Wahgunyah (1 post code area). Household numbers in N umurkah' s trade catchment are actually 2,.568 (1991 household --I numbers) due to overlap from Cobram (2 post code areas), Cobram and Tocumwal (1 post code area) and Nathalia (1 post code area).

I Figure 7: Trade Catr:hrnentAreas for Cobram, Yarrawonga and

I PostCode AreaS To tEl Households I Land Area TotEl TotEl in Trade (ha) Pe~ons Househo~s Catr:hrrent

I Cobram (10 Post Code Areas) . 585,916 28,353 9,813. 5,644 Yarrawonga (5 Post Code Areas) 388,159 15,579 5,556 2,563· I NUmJrkah (7 Post Code Areas)· 182,131 12,057 4,038 2,568 I Sarce: Derived fran Trade CatI:tment SI.IVeys; .ASS Cer6US cfPcpJatioo and HasifY;} 7997 . I I I I I I I 1 Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 18 I ~ ~20~lO~Str~ate~gy ______Moira Tow..!!! . I I I I I I I I I : I I I I I I I I

- I Prepared--:-;;;;~~Pty by TBA Planners Ltd 19 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Analysis

I The objective of this section of the report is to assess the performance of the three towns in order to determine expenditure levels in catchments, leakage expenditure by retail sector, market gaps and strengths, and to identify opportunities for development. I Analysis of the three towns' retail structure and performance during 1991-92 is shown in Figure 8. This is used as the base year for the analysis because the most recent retail, expenditure and population data was prepared by various agencies for that time.

I The first four columns of information show number of retail establishments (ie. locations), turnover achieved by those locations, their retail floorspace and retail turnover densities by I sector (ie. food, personal & household goods and selected personal services). Note that this information is published in the ABS's Retailing in Victoria 1991-92 publication and relates to local government areas, not towns. However, because the former Shires of Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah did not have significant levels of retailing I other than in the subject towns, it is assumed that these figures are representative of the towns during 1991-92.

The next data column restates the number of households in each town's trade catchment as I calculated above. .

Average annual household expenditure for the region by retail group was derived from the I A,BS'sHousehold Expenditure Survey Detail Expenditure Items 1993-94 and deflated to 1991-92 dollars. Income quintile data was scrutinised and items were allocated to the three shopfront retailing groups (ie .. food, personal and household goods and selected personal services} to derive a total· level of expenditure by sector for shopfront retailing overall. I This information relates to the second income quintile. This quintile was selected because itbest represents the householdincome characteristics of the region (which is generally of a lower nature). .

I By multiplying the number of households by average annual household expenditure, the total expenditure made by each catchment area on retailing and retail sector can be I determined. I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 20 I ------.------

Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

Figure 8: Select Retailing $lstlstles, 1991-92 (former LocsJ GOllelTlment Atea8) .

Average Households in .ArInu;j SurfJus/ FlOOfSpace Trade Household Catchment Escape Per~ Locations Turnover (sqm) RTD ($Isqm) Catchments Expenditure Expend/llle Expendtlle Captu

Cobram 101 $39,500,000 18,000 $2,198 5,644 $10,938 $61,735,872 ($22,175,872) 64°/. Total Food Retailing 29 $17,m,OOO 5,000 $3,555 5,644 $4,700 $26,862,914 ($9,085,914) 68>~ Total Personal and Household Good Retailing 54 $20,354,000 10,300 $1,976 5,644 $5,183 $29,253,077 ($8,899,077) 7(J>~ Selected Personal Services 18 $1,429,000 2,700 $529 5,644 $996 $5,619,880 ($4,190,880) 25°;.

Yarrawonga 81 $32,814,000 14,000 $2,344 2;563 $10,938 $28,034,911 $4,779,089 11·~ Total Food Retailing 17 $18,778,000 4,000 $4,082 2,563 $4,700 $12,198,733 $6,579,267 154~ Total Personal and Household Good Retailing 44 $11,871,000 7,100 $1,672 2,563 $5,183 $13,284,131 ($1,413,131) ago/. Selected Personal Services 20 $2,165,000 1,800 $1,203 2,563 $996 $2,552,047 ($387,047) 85°;.

YarraNOnga- Mulwala" n.a $43,139,000 19,500 $2,212 2,563 $10,938 $28,034,094 $15,104,906 154~

Numurkah 48 $14,187,000 10,000 $1,419 2,568 $10,938 $28,089,003 ($13,902,003) 51°/. Total Food Retailing 18 $8,162,000 3,400 $2,401 2,568 $4,700 $12,222,531 ($4,000,531) 670;. Total Personal and Household Good Retailing 22 $5,465,000 6,200 $881 2,568 $5,183 $13,310,046 ($7,845,046) 41°;. Selected Personal Services 8 $500,000 400 $1,400 2,568 $996 $2,557,026 ( $1,997,026) 220;.

:Es~m!ltes forMulwala sourced from Cobram Retail Profile by Alistair Tute NB: Barooga, having only a small collection of about six shops. was not Included in the survey ~ource: A_E!.~ fleta/ling /n VictOria 1991-92; ABS Household Expenditure

Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 21 I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Cobram

Cobram had over lOO shops in its town centre accounting for about 18,000 m2 of retail I f100rspace during the early 1990s.

The table shows that households in Cobram's trade catchment spent some $61.7 million on I retailing in 1991-92. Cobram captured about 64% of this expenditure (or $39 million) during that year. Hence Cobram's retail expenditure leakage totalled some $22.2m or 36%. It is likely that Shepparton captures most of this but other centres, such as I Melbourne, would also attract Cobram's escape expenditure. On a sectoral basis, Cobram captured 66% of trade catchment expenditure on food retailing, 70% of personal and household goods retailing and 25% of selected personal I services. These figures suggest that Cobram has a relatively healthy retail sector. A 64% capture rate 1 appears to be hi gh. It is interesting that Cobram's retail expenditure capture in the personal and household goods sector is higher than that for food expenditure. The opposite is usually the case. This would indicate that Cobram may playa regional role for a number of items in the I personal and household goods sector, probably due to the fact that there is no major regional centre within 65 kilometres of Cobram. The two major hardware stores are inciicative of this.

1 1997 Estimate

. The land use survey prepared by TBA Planners shows that Cobram currently has about I 19,200 square metres of retail f1oorspace. This indicates that the town's retail f100rspace component increased marginally since 1991-92. This trend was confirmed by a real estate agent4 who estimated that about seven additional shops were developed in town since the 1 early 1990s. . Households in the former Shire of Cobram were estimated5 to have increased by about 11.3% between 1991 and 1997. Assuming the number of households in Cobram's trade 1 area increased at the same rate, then it would contain about 6,280 households at the present time. The additional households in the trade area (636) would inject an extra $7.8m I annum into the regional retail economy (1997$). 1 If Cob,ram has captured most of this 'new' expenditure its Retail Turnover Density (RTD) is now higher (but offset slightly against the marginal increase in retail f1oorspace) and its 1 capture rate has remained constant at about 64%. Summary of Performance and Looking Towards 2010 I • Population numbers in the Cob ram district are expected to increase marginally to 2011. (The Department of Planning and Development expects the former Shire of Cobram's population to increase from 6,872 in 1997 to 6,908 in 2011). ·1 • A full-line supermarket is proposed in Cobram. This food outlet will lead to a greater expenditure capture rate in the food sector, and hence the overall retail expenditure 1 capture rate.

1 ~eil Kerr Real Estate 5Department of Planning and Development Victorian Demographic Forecasts /995 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 22 1 I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Yarrawonga Yarrawonga had about 80 shops during the early 1990s which covered about 14.000 m2 of retail f1oorspace.

I Households in Yarrawonga's trade areas spent about $28 million on retailing in 1991-92. The retail surplus/escape expenditure analysis shows that Yarrawonga's town centre turned­ over about $32.8 million of retail expenditure during the early 1990s. This retail I expenditure level is about $4.8 million greater than that made by households in the town's trade catchment.

This suggests that tourist and visitors contribute significantly to the e~onomic performance -I of Yarrawonga and/or the size of Yarrawonga's trade area was under-estimated. If the trade area of Yarrawonga was extended and additional households included, then the expenditure capture rate would be reduced. However, it is plausible that given Yarrawonga's strong I tourism role that this positive expenditure capture figure is accurate. On this basis the findings of our analysis show that the food sector is a particularly strong performer in this town, capturing about $6.5m more than the size of Yarrawonga's trade I catchment would suggest, or at a total capture rate of 154%. Yarrawonga captured about 89% of personal and household goods expenditure and 85% of selected personal services expenditure during 1991-92. . I When combined with the NSW town of Mulwala, the total floorspace of the area increases to 19,500 square metres and turnover to $43.1m. Note that estimates for Mulwala were sourced from Alistair Tute's study Cobram Retail Profile.

I The total. retail expenditure capture rate for Yarrawonga-Mulwala is increased to 154% . (because trade catchment household numbers remain constant and turnover achieved is I increased) . .. 1997 Estimate

Yarrawonga's retail centre has not increased since 1991-92 according to the land use I survey prepared by TBA Planners and confirmed by a local real estate agent6.

Households in the former Shire of Yarrawonga increased by an estimated7 23% between I 1991 and 1997. Assuming this rate of increase applied to Yarrawonga's trade area, then it would contain about 3,152 households at the present time. The additional 589 households in the trade area inject an additional $7.2m / annum in the regional retail economy I (1997$). Assuming that Yarrawonga captured most of this additional expenditure then its Retail 1 Turnover Density would have increased and expenditure capture rate maintained. Summary of Performance and Looking Towards 2010 I The Yarrawonga region is expected to experience strong population growth to 2011. The former Shire of Yarrawonga's population is expected to increase from 6,605 in 1997 to 8,317 in 20 11.

I Hence there appears to be scope to provide additional retail services for the resident population and tourist trade in Yarrawonga. I

I 6vp Town and Coun/TV Real £State 7Department of Plann'ing and Development Victorian Demographic Forecasts 1995 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 23 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Numurkah

During the early 1990s Numurkah had about 50 shops accounting for 10,000 m 2 of retail I f1oorspace. Households in N umurkah' s trade area spent about $28 million on retailing in 1991-92. Numurkah attracted about 5l % of this expenditure. The 49% retail expenditure leakage I most likely flowed to Shepparton and other major centres in the region and beyond (eg. Melbourne).

Numurkah's food sector attracted about 67%':-'of catchment expenditure, 41% of I expenditure on personal and household goods and about 22% of selected personal services expenditure. I 1997 Estimate Numurkah's retail centre has not grown since the 1991-92. This was confirmed by consultation with two real estate agents8 based in Numurkah which would mean that the I centre currently has about 10,000 square metres of retail f1oorspace, according to the 1991-92 ABS estimate. (The floorspace survey referred to in earlier sections of this report estimated 13,000 square metres of retail floorspace. This figure appears to be inflated by I the many large stores in Numurkah which do not utilise the entire floor space area for retail purposes.)

The number of households in Numurkah's trade catchment has however increased. Based I on the 10.7% increase in households in the former Shire of Numurkah we can estimate that there are now an additional 274 households in the town's trade area, or a total of 2,842 households. The additional households inject an additional $3.4m / annum into the regional retail economy (1997$). Anecdotal evidence suggests that the town has not I capitalised on this opportunity and that the retail expenditure leakage would have remained at. or about 50%. . I Summary of Performance and Looking Towards 20 I 0 An additional 900 people are expected to be living in the Numurkah area defined by the I former Shire of Numurkah by 2011. There is a strong trend to shop locally in Numurkah. New households in the Numurkah I area should be encouraged to· shop locally. I I I I I 8Maur;ce McNamara & Co. and 0 'Shea DJ & Co. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 24 I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I 4. Town Centre Analyses & Strategies I I I COB RAM I I I I"

I I II I I I I I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 25 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.1 Cobram I 4.1.1. Cobram '5 Role

I Cobram performs the role of a local service centre for its immediate region which includes a developing horticultural industry with an emphasis on convenience goods, though the· town also has a regional role in terms of some government sector activities.

I The town centre has a good range and mix of services for a town its size. I Cobram's role is supported by:- • a good quality of life, • recreation and entertainment (sports clubs, golf club) that bring significant benefits to the town centre, I • a healthy retail sector, . • availability of land for future town centre developments, • precincts within the town centre with an established character, I • tourism.

1n the future Cobram's role can be promoted based on one or several themes. Aspects of I these themes can be articulated in design improvements for· the town centre. • . agric~ltural service ce~tre, • multi cultural theme, I • manufacturing or industry, • . river town and water tourism.

Maintaining and strengthening Cobram's role in a local and regional context will depend I on strategies that will:-

• protect assets that provide for quality of lifestyle, I • integrate retailing with tourism, recreation and entertainment, • capitalise on opportunities for town centre improvement.

I 4.1.2 Town Profile I Population and Employment The 1996 Census data divided the Shire into East and West sectors. Cobram is in the west sector which experienced an increase in estimated residential population from 17, 193 in I 1991 to 18,172 persons in 1996. This represents an annual average growth rate of 1.1 %. It is assumed that population increases occurred in Cobram, outlying areas of Shepparton and Strathmerton.

I The town of Cobram had a popUlation of 3,876 in 1996. Seventeen percent of individuals living in Cobram were over the age of 65 years, while 35 percent of the population was I under the age of 25 years. Cobram has a large Italian community. In 1996 five percent of Cobram's inhabitants were I born in Italy .. In 1991 ten percent of the towns population spoke Italian at home. I Prepared by TBA· Planners Pty Ltd 26

I -.w· ~ I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I The 1991 Census data indicates that the bulk of the population of Cobram was not qualified, while 17 percent of the population WWi either skilled or possessed a tertiary qual ification. In I. 991 almost half of the population of Cobram was engaged in I employment while seven percent of the population was unemployed. The two largest employers were the Manufacturirig and Wholesale & Retail industries. Seventy one percent of individuals had an annual income less than 26,000 dollars per I annum. Further detail relating to population and employment can be found in Appendix B. I Retail Performance About half or 19,000 square metres of the town centre area is dedicated to retailing. I Cobram's town centre is also significantly made up of motor retailing and professional services businesses. There is also a significant vacant land and building supply in the town centre.

I Households in Cobram's trade catchment spent some $61.7 million on retailing in 1991-92 (See Figure 8 ). I Cobram has a relatively healthy retail sector. This is supported by the following figures:­ In 1991 Cobram captured:- • 64% of retail expenditure in its trade catchment Mea, I • 66% of trade catchment expenditure on food retailing, • 70% of personal and household goods, retailing; and • 25% of selected personal services.

I Cob ram performs well in its regional setting. The town centre captures a higher percentage . in the personal and household good sector than in the food sector. This suggests that Cobram has a regional role in this sector. It is relatively easier for Cobram to maintain this I regional role with the nearest large centre located 67 kilometres away. A full-line supermarket is proposed in Cobram. This food outlet will lead to a greater expenditure capture rate in the food sector, and hence the overall retail expenditure capture I rate. The town's retail floors pace provision appears to match the needs of its role. The town's retail turnover density figure (ie. $1M2) is generally higher than that for the Goulburn Region overall indicating relative prosperity. I More detailed analysis about Cobram's retail performance is discussed in Chapter 3. Thoughts and Ideas About Cubram A positive attitude towards Cobram was expressed by residents who attended the I community design workshop. A copy of the survey and responses have been provided in Appendix B. Responses to the survey are summarised as follows: I • Need for streetscape improvement including more seating, a central focus and landscaping. • Greatest challenge is to maintain growth and vibrancy. • Mivo Park is the most attractive part of the town. I • Town centre and Mivo Park are the most important parts of the township • Greatest problems facing the town in the next 10 years are traffic management, local employment and promotion of the town. • Tourism is considered to be important for the economy of the town. I • The lifestyle offered by Cobram is a major asset.

I Prepared by T8A Planners Pty Ltd 27 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

• The Murray River and ethnic and cosmopolitan nature of town, and peaches and cream I are considered to be important themes. • Customer service by Cobram retailers could be improved. I Promotion and Marketing Themes

I Community consultation indicated that marketing and promotion of Cobram's lifestyle and distinctive themes are important for the economy of town.

Some themes identified that could be basis for town centre desrgn improvements and I promotion are the Murray River, ethnic and cosmopolitan nature of town, and peaches and cream.

The annual promotional strategy of Greater Cobram Inc., including the Christmas Mardi I Gras and Easter marketing promotion has been successful and such activities should continue to be encouraged. I Recreation and entertainment facilities such as the Sports Club, Golf Club, RACV Holiday Centre and good quality tourist accommodation bring benefits to the town and town centre particularly when they are located close to the town centre. These facilities need to be I promoted in town centre marketing strategies. Views were expressed at the Cob ram traders meeting that Greater Cobram Inc. needs to develop a promotion program that has Council endorsement, and that there should be I increased participation by traders in promotion.

I 4.1.3 Cob ram in the .Future

• Cobram continues to perform a regional role for some retail and' business sectors (eg. I personal and !'lOusehold goods). There is however a need to recognise that there are limitations to the regional retail and business role due to insufficient population levels in the region.

I • Cobram capitalises on the projected increases in population and number of household in its trade area. One important initiative is the implementation of a town centre improvement strategy to increase shopper amenity and attractiveness of the town I centre for shopping and business. • Cobram capitalises on the opportunity to develop a distinct market niche as a primary agricultural service centre in the region; ie. promoting retail and business services and I service industries. • Cobram Town centre progressively becomes more consolidated. There is sufficient vacant land and buildings to accommodate retail and business development in the I foreseeable future. Retail expansion and development is confined within existing town centre boundaries of WilliamJMain, Market and Punt Streets. Longer term expansion to take place along Main Street bringing the bowling and tennis facilities into the town I centre. . • Cobram maintains a healthy retail sector by facilitating further horticultural development in the Cobram district, preserving the assets that give Cobram its good quality of lifestyle to maintain/increase population levels, providing for planned I expansion of the retaillbusiness area and by progressively making design I improvements in the town centre. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 28 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

• The design of the proposed supermarket and layout of the site is integrated .with the I existing retail area in terms of vehicle and pedestrian access and through built form· and landscaping elements. I • Cobram capitalises on opportunities to build on its recreation, entertainment and tourism role and encourage development of tourist and recreation links in the town centre, ego accommodation and clubs. I • Cobram retains and adds to the attractive features of the town that make the town be a pleasant place to shop and visit.

• Cobram has a planned approach to the Town C.entre which focuses more activity in the I central precinct and makes allowance for longer term expansion strategies for areas that were previously showing signs of neglect.

• A more compact and consolidated the town centre leads to an increase in shopper I amenity and convenience, and increases the tourism appeal of the town centre I • Street vending and community markets become a feature of the Cobram town centre.

I 4.1.4 Town Centre Analysis and Opportunities

I Town Centre Layout

The modified grid pattern with PunfRoad and High Street forming a triangular block is the I dominant feature of the Cobram Town Centre. This location is an obvious central focal .point for the town. Community consultation indicated th~t Cobram needed a stronger focal point. The potential of this area has previously been recognised. I The commercial area is spread out, losing its tight urban form at the edges along Main and Williams Street. The spread out nature of the town centre causes longer distances to travel by car and on foot and some disorientation for new visitors. The use of landmarks such as signature tree planting's and theme planting along boundary and internal roads would I increase legibility. Cobram needs to encourage the development of a compact town centre by confining future expansion within Punt Road, William Street and Main Street. Longer term retail and I business development needs to be encouraged along Main Street. This wiII have the effect of integrating the bowling and tennis club with the town centre. I The use of a Design and Development Overlay in the planning scheme along Main Street may be worthwhile considering to achieve design intentions with respect to setback, building height, mass and scale. The Overlay could also provide design objectives for I corner sites. . Key sites such as Mivo Park, the railway land in Punt Street (including proposed supermarket site ), sports precinct and the existing supermarket are some of the defining elements the town centre .. Design improvements for Cobram town centre need to reinforce I the opportunities provided by the street layout and the location of key activity sites and urban features. I il

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 29 I ------.---.------

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I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Built Form Character

Cobram's built form character features a diversity of architectural styles. The mix of styles I is part of Cobram's character.

Heritage buildings are an important though understated element of the streetscape. Buildings such as the cinema building in Bank Street need stronger acknowledgment in the I streetscape

Areas such the Court House precinct and Station/Punt Street corner sites present well to the I street whereas the streetscape is generally poor in areaS such as Bank Street east of High Street

Important corner sites such as the post office corner could be improved by removing I structures that detract from the streetscape.

Powerlines over intersections and main service lines across roads are a visual problem. A powerline undergrounding program should be developed that indicates staging and I priorities. I The Cobram streetscape could be improved by a range of initiatives including: • introducing a streetscape theme (seating, lighting, rubbish bins), • use of elements from natural and cultural setting to create relaxed and open character • undergrounding of powerlines, I • improving the appearance of prominent facades (supermarket brick. wall), • . improved lighting, . • some repair to paving, and I • introducing public art. . I I I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 31 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy--~---- I I I I ~ I ~ ~ I ~ I I I I I I I

--\. , I , I I I y Ltd ----' I Prepared b-;Tii:Aipj;;;;;;;;:;]~U;I-======-Y TBA Planners Pt 32 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I \ I I I I I I I I I I I I I' I I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 33 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Landscaping The landscape character of the town centre varies considerably from avenue planting in Station Street and signature planting's of palm trees at prominent corner sites to streets I such as Bank Street, High Street and Main Street that have few street trees and lack landscape character. I There are small vegetated areas distributed throughout the town centre which should be retained. Some previous landscaping undertaken by Council require attention Shrubs that have reached maturity should be replaced. Decorative replacement plants would be I . desirable. Movement Patterns

I Vehicle Traffic

Major traffic routes into and traffic circulation within the town centre are shown on page I 35. Community consultation identified that traffic conflict and congestion is experienced at the intersections of Punt Road and Bank Street. Other traffic conflict points include the I intersections of Punt Road with High, William and Bank Streets, and Main Street with Sydney Road and High Street.

Discussion with Council officers and community consultation confirmed that traffic I circulation could be improved by red~cing the number of crossroads. Roundabouts at some maininters~ctions have been suggested to improve traffic flows and encourage slower travel speeds .

I . Traffic calming measures are required to reduce ·travel speeds and improve pedestrian amenity. These measures are required particularly along High Street and around the town centre triangle. Community consultation indicated that there is support for discouraging I cars in this central area to provide easier pedestrian access and better use of public space in Bank Street. . . I Car Parking The location of off street car parks is shown on the Traffic and Parking Plan on page 35. I The town centre is well supplied with car parking. It is the consultant's view that parking standards required by the planning scheme and the payment in lieu are too high. This situation has and could continue to discourage development.

I On street car parking difficulties are often experienced with spaces occupied by retailers. This is simply solved by retailers using spaces that are not in demand locations. Alternatively off street spaces can be provided at the rear of shops as part of development I and redevelopment proposals in the town centre. Community consultation indicated that car parking areas need to be more clearly identified and that clear directional and parking limitation signage should be provided. A mix of I angle and parallel parking was preferable. Some existing off street car parks could be reorganised, including mid block car park between Market and Bank Streets. There are opportunities to integrate car parks with I existing and new developments. . Landscaping is needed to soften the visual impact of hard surfaces and provide shade. The I supermar.ket car park has poor visual amenity. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 34 I 1- ______--\ ------

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~ I ROAD! ~ ~-- --_.-l I I'! ~ ~I ~l'EI§ I I r- I llTlI' I : r- 1(11vk.-tOnl1ib}­ PriVA!V (Ot'l{/~ca~,.... U!r~rk. I.".) VI nDt'e-t1l._ I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Pedestrians

I Pedestrian links and spaces are shown on the Pedestrian Links and Spaces Plan on page 36.

Pedestrian access can be improved by reinforcing important pedestrian links and by I exploiting opportunities for establishing new links and making better use of existing links. Pedestrian movement could be improved in Bank Street and Sydney Road by options ranging from small pedestrian malls to traffic calming. Streetscape elements such as I paving, landscaping, and bollards can be used along sections of Sydney Street to Punt Street, along Bank and High Street and Punt Road to reinforce these pedestrian links.

Pedestrian crossings points could be given more prominence in Punt Road near the I intersection with Bank Street. A safe pedestrian crossing point is also required across High Street opposite the courthouse building. I Improve pedestrian links between activity areas are required including the links between existing supermarket and the proposed supermarket. Connections between Mivo Park and the cinema building in Bank Street could be improved. I In the longer term, the upgrading of Adams Lane and Shadworth Lane to improve appearance and safety would improve pedestrian circulation.

Community consultation identified the need for improvements to pedestrian access and I safety. They included:

• Pedestrian crossings need to be improved, especially for· the elderly ·and people with disabilities: • Link could be developed between the hardware store and the town centre. • Link between Dillion Street and Punt Road is needed: . • Footpaths are generally too narrow I • Disabled access needs to be given more consideration in the town centre. I Public Space Modifications to traffic flows in Bank street with one way traffic movement between High and Punt Street would add significantly to a central public space area. Pedestrianising I Sydney Street (northern end) would create a quality public space area or alternatively public space could be improve~ by a one way traffic flow between Main and Punt Street.

The need for a more defined focal point for the town centre arose during the community I design workshop and at meetings with traders and CounCil officers.

Better use of public space and is recommended at two locations; Bank Street (west of High I Street) and potentially at Sydney Street, between Adams Lane and Punt Street. A focal point in the town centre that provides for better use of public space will have ihe I following benefits : • meeting places • space for Cob ram Mardi Gras I • markets, stalls and vending • outdoor eating I • celebration and events I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 36 I I Infrastructure Library I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy , I 0\lr I I I

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I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

Improvements to public space areas in Bank and Sydney· Streets require design solutions I that will not result in traffic or car parking problems.

Mivo Park is a valued park. Improvement to the botanical gardens on opposite side of I highway at west end of town was suggested at the community design workshop. Public Facilities

I Public toilets are difficult to find. Clearly visible directional signs are required for the benefit of tourists and visitors. I The lack of facilities for younger people was identified at the design workshop and at meetings with traders and Council officers. Any proposals for design improvements 1 should recognise the needs of youth.

I I- I I I I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 38 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.1.5 Design Concepts and Strategies

I Two precincts within the town centre have been identified for detailed design concepts. Two other precincts have been identified for longer term strategies.

The two precincts recommended to receive immediate design improvement are the Central I Precinct in Bank Street and the Cinema precinct also in Bank Street. They have been selected for the following reasons: I • to create a central and activity focus within the town centre; • to maximise business and community benefit; and • to realise the potential contribution of these areas to the town centre. I A description of each detailed design strategy including the preferred precinct character and proposed improvement works is discussed and illustrated below. Estimated costs of proposed improvement works are provided in Table ** ....:' ... - ea::- ..;:z.. Lf) _ I . c I I I I I I MMIl t.,Vat'· I .

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 39 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Central Precinct_

Central Precinct in Bank Street is proposed to be a public space focus for community activity and celebration. Proposals include more pedestrian areas, street trees and plantings, I. calming of traffic, new street furniture (lighting, seating, bollards) and introduction of public art. I A river theme has been used for the proposed improvements. Features of the proposal are: • A central water feature within a traffic island that provides seperate entry into and exit from Bank Street. I • New paving in a radial pattern. Pavement pattern is also to reflect river beach edge character. Paving to be exposed aggregate with banding at intervals. • Extensions to pedestrian areas with redu.ced road pavement in Punt Road and Bank Street. I • Lighting stands made with redgum supports and lamps to match art-deco style of cinema and shops. • Planting of nine mature trees. -I • A performance space or waterplay sculpture and feature bollards • A mural! artwork for supermarket wall. I The estimated cost of proposed improvement works for the Central Precinct is $106,000 Cinemo Precinct (Bonk Street)

I . The·stteetscape of Bank Street east of High Stret

The cinema building is central to the proposed design improvements in this precinct. The I Cinema and Central Precinct proposals will substantially improve the quality of the Bank Street streetscape, improve pedestrian comfort and convenience, provide focal points and positively assist businesses in Bank street and adjacent precincts.

I Design improvements for the Cinema Precinct"have the following features:

• Pedestrian crossing directly outside the cinema building arcade with a visual link to the I accessway connecting to the car park at the rear of shops on north side of Bank Street. • Pavement extensions at pedestrian crossing point with additional seating provided. • Feature paving on both sides of Bank Street in vicinity of pedestrian crossing with a pattern to match the proposed treatment of Punt Road!Bank Street I • Planting of six mature street trees. • Four seats located within extended pavement areas next to pedestrian crossing. • Four flag poles, two on each side of Bank Street to complement cinema building. • Improving through block connections to cinema building by making laneways more I inviting. A movie mural is suggested for the laneway on the. north side of Bank Street. I The estimated cost of proposed improvement works for the Central Precinct is $ 38,720 I I

.. 1 Prepared by TBA Planners Ply Ltd. 40 I I 1 Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I

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I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Other Initiatives Punt Street Precinct I Boulevard treatment of Punt Street entry to the town centre is recommended. Important design considerations for this precinct include : I • Selection of appropriate street trees to create the boulevard effect

• Ensuring the design of the new supermarket in Punt Street appropriately addresses preferred character and the design improvements proposed for Bank Street and the axis I of Station Street. Visual and physical links to the Central Precinct can be established with paving, landscaping and street furniture. I • Selection of an appropriate entry feature or statement.

Main Street

Longer term expansion within the town centre should occur along Main Street. General planning and design intentions for this area should be encapsulated within the Moira Planning Scheme and specifically within a Design and Development Overlay. This Overlay I needs to contain design guidelines and requirements that address the following: I 4.1.6 Town entries

I Stronger image and messages are required at the highway to communicate arrival in . Cobram and to clearly provide and indicate the turn off to the town centre. A gateway feature could be developed that reinforces Cobram's themes (Murray River, ethnic and I cosmopolitan nature of town, peaches and cream). There is a need to encourage one well defined entry to the township and town centre. A boulevard entrance to the town along Punt street could be created featuring Canary Palms.

I The number of access points from the highway needs to be minimised; other initiatives could include: I • better signage directing traffic from highway to town centre is required, • a right hand tum lane from highway to encourage motorists into the town, and • lighting is required at highway access points.

Entries from the north and south (High street and William Street) could be also be improved with roadside planting and signage

I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 44 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I 4.1. 7 Estimated Costs of Design Proposals 1. Cinema "Focus" ArealUnit CostJUnit Opinion of I Probable Cost 1.1 Paving 250 m2 $100/ m2 $25,000 Exposed aggregate with banding at intervals, I including demolition of existing pavement. I 1.2 Trees Mature (2-3m) 4 $500 $2,000 1.3 Celluloid Pavement 20 m2 $50/ m2 $1,000 (Sprayed to road surface). I (If not incorpo'rated in project - reallocate this budget item to mural artwork). 1.4 Seats 4 $1,500 $6,000 1.5 Flags (Poles and Flags) 4 $300 $1,200 I Total $35,200 +10% I. ,~ $38,720 2; Cobram Centr~l Triangle Preliminary Cost Assessment 600 m2

I 2.1 Paving ·600 m2 $100/ m2 $60,000 - Exposed aggregate with banding or 1 intervals including demolition of existing paving. I 2.2 Trees Mature (2-3m) 9 $500 $4,500 2.3 Planting Areas 50 m2 $1,500 (including rocks & I shrubs/ground covers) 2.4 Seats 4 $1,500 $6,000 2.5 Sculpture/Seat/Stage - $8,000+ I Feature Bollards 2.6 Water Sculpture $4,000 2.7 Feature Planting, beds $1,000 I next to water sculpture 2.8 Lighting 3 stands $12,000 I Total $97,000 + 10% I **$106,700 ** Excludes kerb extensions and civil works completed as part of traffic management I improvements. I Prepared by T8A Planners Pty Ltd 45 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I' I YARRAWONGA I 'I I I' I I I I I I II I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 46 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I 4.2.1 Yarrawonga's Role

I Yarrawonga is a local convenience goods centre with a distinct tourism role. Yarrawonga's tourism role is reflected in data which shows that the town has the highest number of accommodation, cafe and restaurant businesses in the Shire. I The role of the town has changed from an industry focus to a tourism and retirees town. Yarrawonga's importance in the regional economic hierarchy has declined in recent years.

The strength of the town is related to its location on the Lake Mulwala, its tourist and visitor I infrastructure and a good retail mix.

The low vacancy rates in the town centre is an indicator of the healthy performance of the I retail sector. The food sector is a particularly strong performer. I 4.2.2 Town Profile I Population and Employment The town of Yarrawonga had a population of 3,503 in 1996. Approximately 27 percent of the people living in Yarrawonga were over the age of 65 years, while 29 percent of the I population was under the age of 25 years. Ni~ety-fourper~ent of the population is Australian born, and twqpercent of the population . was born in a non English speaking country. In 1996, the largest income .category for individulas was 0 to 10,400 dollars, with 46 percent of the population in this category .. I . Thirty percent belonged to the second largest income category which was 10,400 to 26,000 dollars. . . . I The following features of Yarrawonga's population and employment structure are taken from 1991 Census data. The 1996 Census data relating to these featues will not be available until 1998 : I • Seventeen percent of the population had· a skilled vocation or possessed a tertiary qualification.

• Almost, half of the population of Yarrawonga were engaged in employment while six I percent of the population was unemployed.

• Fifteen percent were on a part time basis and thirty percent were engaged in full time employment. The higher proportion of part time employment compared to Cob ram I and Numurkah would be due to the availability of tourism related employment opportunities. . I • The two largest employers were the Personal Services and Wholesale & Retail sectors confirming the tourism role of Yarrawonga.

• Forty nine percent of households had an annual income less than 25,000 dollars per I annum and twenty eight per cent of households had an annual income greater than $35,000.

It is expected that a significant proportion of new residents to the area will be retirees and I other low income groups. Further detail relating to population and employment can be found in Appendix B. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 47 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Retail Performance

Yarrawonga town centre has approximately 14,000 square metres of retail floorspace. I There are very few vacant buildings or unoccupied land in Yarrawonga's town centre. Tourists and visitors contribute significantly to the economic performance of Yarrawonga. Tourism is also significant in Mulwala. About 26% of all businesses located in Mulwala I town are in the cafe, accommodation and restaurant sector. Households in Yarrawonga's trade area spent about $28 million on retailing in 1991-92. The Moira Towns 2010 retail analysis indicated that Yarrawonga's town centre turned-over about .$32.8 million of retail expenditure during the early 1990s which is about $4.8 million greater than that made by I households in the town's trade catchment. This surplus would be derived mostly from tourism.

The food sector is a particularly strong performer in this town, capturing about $6.5m I more than the size of Yarrawonga's trade catchment would suggest, or at a total capture rate of 154%. This confirms the importance of tourism. I Yarrawonga's retail turnover density is higher than that of the Goulburn Region overall and highest of the three centres subject of this study. In fact Yarrawonga's retail turnover density is about the same level of Victoria's average across the retail sectors.

I Households in the former Shire of Yarrawonga increased by an estimated9 23% between 1991 and 1997. Population forecasts for Yarrawonga (Department of Planning and Development, Victorian Demographic Forecasts, 1995) estimate an increase of an. I additional 589 households in the trade area. This will inject an additional $7.2m I annum in the regional retail economy (1997$).

. The former Shire of Yarrawcinga's population is expected to increase from 6,605 in 1997 I to 8,317 in 2011. Accordingly there. appears to be scope to provide additional retail· .. services for the resident population and tourist trade in Yarrawonga.

I Thoughts and Ideas About Yarrawonga

Surveys completed by participants at the Yarrawonga design workshop confirm the I importance of Lake Mulwala and tourism. A copy of the survey and responses have been provided in Appendix B. The following is a summary of the responses to the survey: I • Lake Mulwala is considered the town's greatest asset. It is Yarrawonga's distinguishing feature. Other valued community assets include sporting facilities and the range of community facilities, including facilities for elderly people. • There is a strong perception that Yarrawonga is a beautiful location with the river, lake I and surrounding countryside. • Yarrawonga's greatest challenges are considered to be bringing more tourists into the town, generating employment opportunities and providing services for the town's younger population. I • The most attractive features are the lake and its foreshore, parks and the golf club. • Tourism is of great importance to the town • Yarrawonga is a great place for retirees, for holidays, fishing and for relaxing. I • Whilst Yarrawonga is a special place, the town could benefit from similar initiatives to those in Echuca eg water tourism. • The themes that are considered to be the strongest include the lake, 'dead trees and I bridges', anda retirement town. I

9 Department of Plalllling alld Development ViClOrian Demographic Forecasts 1995 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 48 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.2.3 Yarra wonga in the Future

• Yarrawonga builds on it primary role as a tourist and visitor centre, and a service centre I for the local and regional population. • The strong performance of the food sector is supported by initiatives such as alfresco I dining and by the design of public spaces that encourages outdoor eating. • Better integration of the Lake's edge with the town centre is achieved, making the tourist information centre a gateway and link to the water, and improving pedestrian access along the lake's edge and into the to~n centre . I .:,.. '.'" : ':" .. • Belmore Street becomes a precinct that is more 'pedestrian friendly' with improved pedestrian crossing points and improved pavement surfaces along sections of Belmore I Street. ' • Yarrawonga and its town centre capitalises on the opportunities arising from increases in resident population and the number of tourists by maintaining and increasirig its I expenditure capture rate within its trade area. • Sites within the town centre are identified for new development to ensure that growth is I planned and that the town's character is retained. • Good standard and range of community infrastructure continue to be an appealing feature. of Yarrawonga that attracts retirees.

I • Increased recreation and entertainment opportunities in the town centre and township leads to an increase visitor numbers. '

• Yarrawonga counters the trend towards investment in the big regional centres by I vigorously promoting local spending and the town's tourism potential.

• Coordinated planning and development of the Yarrawonga and Mulwala. consolidates I the primary focus of and tourism potential of Yarrawonga. I I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 49 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I • Streetscape and design improvements in the town centre recognise the need for increased shopper amenity, convenience and comfort, especially for the retiree community. Yarrawonga's core retail activities (ie. day-to-day or weekly retail items) I need the custom of retirees who have increasing mobility. • A tourist activity focus is created by consolidating retail and related tourist activities and encouraging active uses (cafes, restaurants etc) to the northern River section of the I town centre. I I I I I

I ~;?: ·7 I I I I I I I I I Prepared by TllA Planners Pty Ltd 50 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.2.4 Town Centre Analysis and Opportunities

I Town Centre Layout The strip shopping parade terminating at the Lake is the dominant feature of the town centre. New development needs to be encouraged by redevelopment of existing premises I or development immediately adjacent to Belmore Street, rather than at outer locations that would lengthen the main street presentation and increase the likelihood that shoppers will drive from one parking spot to another.

I The spread out nature of the town centre makes vehicle trips within Belmore Street necessary. This was raised as an issue during the community design workshop. Other I issues raised referring to the layout of the town centre include: • extension of the town centre. to Hovell Street and Hume Street, and • need to concentrate retailing in the main street and provide adjacent areas for I professional services. A tourism focus needs to be established at the lake end of Belmore Street by encouraging I the location of more active uses, such cafes and tourism related services. Traffic and Parking

I Traffic calming and speed reductions in· Belmore Street ~ould be introduced to improve safety.·and .to give a clear impression of travel through a retail and tourism precinct.. I A significant number of traffic movements in Belmore Street appear to relate to vehicle . trips between stores within the town centre.

Centre of the street car parking in Belmore Street is valued .. Supply of car parking could I be improved, though there are difficulties in actually providing additional car spaces in the main street. An increase in main street car parking would be possible. if alternative car parking locations could be provided for traders. One option is to provide shaded car I parking areas at the rear of shops. Car parking supply could be improved at the foreshore and at the Tourist Information I Office. Better signage indicating entry and exit from angle street parking would prevent confusion I and improve safety. Pedestrian Amenity and Access

I Difficulties are experienced by pedestrians crossing Belmore Street. There is a perception that pedestrian crossing points are not in the right locations. I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 51 I I I Moira Towns 2()1O Strategy I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 52 ' I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I

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I • Pedestrian issues raised at the community design workshop include: • A clearer separation of road and pedestrian pavements at some corner locations is required. • Pedestrian refuges such as the Post Office are valued I • Resurfacing of street pavements in some areas is required. I • Piper Street roundabout has been identified as requiring attention. Landscaping

I The north-south orientation of Belmore Street" creates problems for shops on the east side due to the strong afternoon sun. The removal of verandahs has added to the problem. Better protection from the sun and shaded areas should be provided with street trees.

I Better maintenance of landscaped areas in the town centre has been identified as an issue.

I Themes for Design Improvement

The Lake is a major asset. Yarrawonga is the only Murray River town in Victoria or NSW I where water meets the town's edge. Promotion and design improvements for the town centre should focus more strongly on the water theme. Yarrawonga's tourism and retirement town image are important aspects of the town's presentation.

I The image of" a clean environment is another theme identified during the community design workshop.

I "Promotion The Chamber of Commerce is active in its promotion of the town and town centre. The I town has a well developed festival and events program. Street vending is now appearing on the street. The community perceives street vending where it doesn't take over the footpath to be good for the town centre and that it should be I encouraged. Yarrawonga has some major attractions that need continued promotion including water I skiing, golf and tourist accommodation such as the Yarrawonga Time Share. I Facilities Issues relating to facilities in the town centre that have been raised include:

• the significance of facilities such as Rotary Park, I • inadequate public toilets, • the need for a children's playground, • youth facilities and entertainment are inadequate, and I • not enough seating in the main street. I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 54 I I 1 Moira Towns. 2010 Strategy I 1 I '-.-... _- --.~ .. --- 1 1r~Il~~'Pf) Vt~ Rt10?fvti M br oVtrh~ ~ I pOWw iV~ fl?'()')~ M li~ nUlr' ~1d}~s bf I h~(i?M,/ Antl Albhi 1-lttv,r~ I 7i'jnTnCN)tb' i~ A~(e1b (~ I - ....-- .. -~ --.. _--

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I Town Entries

With the Murray Valley Highway by-passing the town, improved signage is needed to draw I visitors to the town and lake. I Consistent signage is required at entries with the same 'welcoming sign' at each entry. I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~A,;V W I S~" ------~~------I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 59 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I 4.2.5 Design Concepts and Strategies I Design improvements for the Belmore Street Precinct include: • Establish clear mid block crossing point between Piper and Witt Street and Piper and Orr Street. This could either be in the form of paving to delineate pedestrian priority with a raised surface and a less costly option of linemarking with paving treatment at each end I of the crossing.

• Intersection of Piper and Belmore Street and Orr and Belmore Street are priorities for I improvement of pedestrian areas. Design improvements include new paving, four mature street trees and four new seats for each intersection.

• Feature pavement on east side of Belmore Street between Piper and' Orr Street. A I decorative "river theme" is proposed for this pavement area.. Feature paving is to connect the two intersection treatments and provide for artwork sites and seating areas. Paving materials proposed are contrasting bands of exposed aggregate in a water-wave I pattern. • Ten (l0) mature street trees are proposed alongside this feature pavement between Piper I and Orr Street. The estimated cost of these design improvements are $170,000. Costing of items is shown I in the Table on page 64. Other Initiatives'

. . '. . I Within the town centre, the following urban design initiatives and improvements are recoIIlllJ.ended : .

• Avenue planting of centre median parking area in Belmore Street south of McNally I Street. • Establish car park areas at the rear of properties fronting Belmore Street. • Improve pedestrian link along the Lake edge with a visible link to the town centre. • Tourist information site to become a gateway at the northern entry to the town centre. I • Improvements to pedestrian safety at Witt and Belmore Street" intersection and improve safety and priority of pedestrianlbicycle links from the Primary School to the Town I Centre. I I I I I I Prepared by TBA PlannersPty Ltd 60 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I I I I I

I 1---4~1 ~~"\ttI=~I:j ~--;;:::::~:=t:~t::::::::t::;;;;;;;:jj- ~ lr1rtrsun~ 1-- PrM"Ati fY"" . f'~utyi~n~M'hui I­ I Hr fh~ lov'M1/~. fo~ PiViV' t~y~ 1\1\1/ I ~tt-Q(W1,v~ plW'tnle-t) 'I IIII1A~hIf~ tr~rfM1 ,. I I I I I I Town Cen1ire I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 61 I II I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I I C==:=-c===- I I I ~"::::::==-- ·.·~r~ - I . f~W/tmu)t< - I I I I I I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

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63 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Cost Estimate of Design Proposals

Area/Unit CostlUnit Opinion of I Probable Cost 1. Mid-block Crossing 100 m2 $)00/ m2 $10,000 Option 1 I - Paving to delineate pedestrian priority - possible raised surface ,' .. I Option 2 60 m2 $100/ m2 $6,000 - Linemarking to delineate 30 m2 $10/ m2 $300 pedestrian priority, paving I treatments at each end Trees 5 $500 $2,500 - Mature trees (2-3 metres' I high) Total $8,800-$12,500 + 10% I $9,680-$13,750 2. Intersection Treatments I 2.1 Paving, exposed 2~0 m2 $100/ m2 $25,000 concrete with banding 2.2 Trees 4 $500 $2,000 I 2.3 Planting 20 m2 $1,000 2.4 Seats 4 $1,500 $6,000 Total For One Intersection $28,600 I +10% $31,460 I Total For Two Intersections $62,920 3. Complete Pavement Treatment I 3.1 Paving, exposed agg. 7,00 m2 $100/ m2 $70,000 Concrete with banding at intervals along east side at Belmore Road I between Orr and Piper. 3.2 Feature Decorative $20,000 Treatments (art I pavements/sculptures) 3.3 Trees 10 500 5,000 Total - $155,000 I +10% I $170,500 I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 64 I I I Moira Towns 2010 . Strategy I I I

I I " I I II ~ I I. I I I I I I I I I I Prepared b y TBA Planners Pty Ltd I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I I N U M U R K A H I' I I

! I' I I I I I I I I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 65 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.3 Numurkah

4.3.1 Numurkah's Role

Numurkah plays a local convenience role for its immediate rural area. The town services fruit growing and dairying district. Retail vacancy rates have increased in the town centre and this has been generally associated with a decline in shop quality and streetscape I appearance. The lack of major stores (furniture, household appliances) , loss of government services, banks and rail service and high shop vacancy rates are important issues for the Numurkah community. There is a perception that the ability to attract business and tourists is I inked to I visual and functional improvements to the town centre. Community spirit and pride is a strength of the Numurkah community. Good attendances at a traders meeting and community design workshop, and a high response rate to a traders I survey indicate a willingness to bring about some improvements to the town centre.

The features of the town that provide Numurkah with its character include its country town I atmosphere, creek and gardens, and a town centre shopping strip with a good pedestrian scale. The highway by pass of the town has had a positive impact by creating a stronger 'community feeling'. It has also provided opportunity for town centre improvement. I Numurkah prides itself on a good quality of life. The good standard of community . facilities and landscape features such as the creekside park and rose garden add to the . quality of lifestyle arid provide a good environment for retirees. Lakeside Village· is a I major asset with important benefits for shopping and business.

I 4.3.2 Town Profile I Population and Employment The 1996 Census data divided the Shire into East and West sectors. Numurkah is in the west sector which experienced an increase in estimated residential population of 17, 193 in 1991 to 18,172 persons in 1996. This represents an annual average growth rate of 1.1 %. I It is assumed that population increases occurred in Cobrain, outlying areas of Shepparton and Strathmerton. Detailed population data from the 1996 Census will be available in late I September 1997. . The town of Numurkah had a population of 3,174 in 1996. The town's population increased by 1.6 per cent between 1991 and 1996. Thirty three percent of the individuals living in Numurkah were over the age of 65 years.. Thirty four percent of the population I was under the age of 25 years.

Over 94 percent of the population is Australian born. Three percent of the population I were born in the United Kingdom and one percent in Italy. The following features of Numurkah's population and employment structure are derived from the 1991 Census. The 1996 Census data in relation to these features will be available I in 1998 : • Seventeen percent of the population had either a skilled vocation or held a tertiary qual ification. . I • Almost half of the population of Numurkah were engaged in employment. • Thirty percent were employed full time and fifteen percent part time. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 66 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I • Six percent of the population was unemployed. • Two largest employers were the Manufacturing and Community Services industries. • Fifty three percent of households had an annual income less than 25,000 dollars per I annum. Further detail relating to population and employment can be found in Appendix B. I Retail Performance - The town of Numurkah is a significant base for government services in the Shire. About I 34% of the town centre is dedicated to shopfront retailing. Business and finance is also a significant industry sector in the town.

I Numurkah's overall industry structure shows a emphasis on retail trade, personal and other services and manufacturing.

Results of the retail analysis (Section 3) indicates that retail custom is localised, catering I almost exclusively for the town and immediate rural area.

Households in Numurkah's trade area spent about $28 million on retailing in 1991-92. I Numurkah attracted about 51 % of this expenditure. The 49% retail expenditure leakage most likely flowed to Shepparton and other major centres in the region and beyond (eg. MelbOllrne).

I The food. sector is the best performer of all retail sectors in Numurkah, emphasising the town's lower order role. Higher order functions for personal and ho~sehold goods and selected personal services will continue to be provided by ·bigger centres in the region. Numurkah's food sector attracted about 67% of catchment expenditure on food, 41 % of I .. expehditure on personal and hOusehold goods and about 22% of selected personal services . expenditure. .

I Numurkah's retail_ turnover density level is significantly lower than that of the Goulburn Region overall and the lowest of the three towns. This indicates a state of relative weakness in retailing.

I Numurkah's retail centre has not grown since the 1991-92. The centre currently has about 10,000 square metres of retail floorspace.

The number of households in Numurkah's trade catchment has increased (based on the 10.7% increase in households in the former Shire of Numurkah). The additional households inject an additional $3.4m / annum into the regional retail economy (1997$). Retail analysis findirigs suggest that leakage of retail expenditure to other centres has remained the same.

The population of Numurkah and district is expected to increase. An additional 900 people are expected to be living in the area defined by the former Shire of Numurkah by I 2011.

A major challenge for Numurkah is making the best opportunity from the projected increases in population and households in the district. Local shopping and promotion of I the town centre should be actively encouraged. I I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 67 I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy Ideas and Thoughts About Numurkah

I A survey was completed by participants of the Numurkah workshop and by other residents invited to respond by workshop participants. Survey respondents and other consultations expressed a keenness for change and improvements in Melville Street. A summary of the I results of the survey is : • Numurkah's greatest asset are its public amenities and facilities; including recreational facilities, Broken Creek and rose gardens. I • Numurkah is considered to be a beautiful town ·"due to its gardens and trees. • Community spirit/involvement is a positive feature. • A greater focus on tourism and youth employment is required. • Greatest challenges for Numurkah over the next 10 years are increasing employment I opportunities, retaining and attracting business and tourists, and improving the visual appearance of the town. • Most attractive part of the town is considered to be the rose garden, parks with rail carriages on display and picnic areas. I • Most important part of the town is considered to be the rose garden and the shopping area. • Tourism is considered to be very important, but its importance is not always I recognised. • Numurkah is considered to be a great place to live, relax, and bring up a family. • A strong theme for Numurkah is a town of roses and gardens, and community spirit. I • Numurkah' s distinguishing feature is the creek and rose gardens

I Promotion and· Marketing. Themes . . Themes that can be used for the promotion of Numurkah include the Pelican and a town of I roses and gardens. The Chamber of Commerce is developing a marketing and promotion strategy. This is an important initiative for the future of Numurkah.

Numurkah has potential as a stopover destination for tourists and travellers. In order to I realise this potential a visual image with appropriate signage is required at the highway to attract tourists and visitors.

A main attraction in the town centre or near to the centre would also assist. Potential has I been identified for displays (historical and contemporary) in Melville Street. Street vending and markets have been identified as promotion opportunities for the town centre. I I I I I

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 68 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.3.3 Numurkah In The Future

I A range of opportunities and preferences for the future of Numurkah have been identified from meetings with the community and from the retail analysis and the analysis of the town centre.

I • Numurkah's future prospects will depend on how well the town centre can perform its local service centre role catering for daily and weekly convenience shopping and services for residents in the town and in its fruit growing and dairying district. The town centre must capitalise on the opportunity presented by the expected increases in I population and households in the district over the next 10 years.

• Numurkah town centre arrests recent trend of decline by improving the appearance and I convenience of Melville Street shopping precinct. Numurkah captures a greater proportion of its trade catchment's retail expenditure and consolidates its weekly ·,1 shopping functions. • Important lifestyle attributes (Lakeside Village, creekside parks, rose gardens, good community facilities, etc) will continue to be important for the future development of the town centre and for the retention of Numurkah' s population levels.

I • Opportunities are available to link retail and other services with the government and administration services of Numurkah. I • Vacant buildings in Melville Street are shopfront opportunities fqr retailing, business, . government services or community enterprises.

• Melville Stre.et .~treetscape takes on a new and improved appearance with. street tree I . planting,. improved pavement surface~, .better use of public space, some urban art, improved pedestrian crossing points, and improved design and presentation of key areas including QuinnlMelville Street locality and the northern entrance to the town I centre.. . • Numurkah has the potential to develop a greater entertainment and recreation role, building on existing facilities such as sports, parks, Lakeside Village and community I groups such as the Numurkah Singers. • Community pride and spirit continues to be one of Numurkah's strengths. The Chamber of Commerce plays a leading role with Moira Shire Council in implementing I town centre design improvements and promoting the town centre.

• Local laws relating to street stalls and vending are reviewed. Street stalls become a regular feature in Melville Street. A monthly Numurkah Market located in the town 1 centre could become a local and regional attraction.

• Community groups begin to use the town centre for cultural and educational purposes. I For exampl~, the Historical Society has displays and exhibitions and a performance space (indoor and/or outdoor) is found for the Numurkah Singers.

• With design improvements to the town centre and the highway entrance at Katamatite 1 Road, the number of tourists and visitors to Numurkah begins to increase. Numurkah gains recognition as town with a revitalised town centre and is promoted as an ideal I stopover for tourists travelling to other destinations. 1

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 69 I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy 4.3.4 Town Centre Analysis and Opportunities I Town Centre Layout The historical main street highway function determined the layout of the town centre. The I highway bypass has had a positive impact on the town centre by improving shopping amenity and now provides a good basis for design improvements in Melville Street.

Entries points to the town centre have become more important because there is more of a I 'community feeling , in the main street. The Memorial Park entry at Saxton Street has poor visual quality whereas the southern entrance has a high landscape quality (See Town I entries below). Important landmarks and features at corner sites and at the southern entrance ego Memorial Park, Newman Square, Creekside Park and heritage buildings, consolidate the layout of the town centre. The opening of the street and vista at Newman Square is an interesting feature I of the journey along Melville Street. These key features need to form the basis of design improvements in the town centre.

The main street shopping function of Melville Street is a feature that needs to be retained. I Town centre retail and business need to be encouraged within existing vacant buildings in Melville Street, and at sites in or adjacent to the main street. The compact layout and I continuous street frontages give the town centre a guuJ pt:Jt::sLlialt scale. Streetscape

. The Melville Street streetscape lacks visual amenity. Streetscape improvement of Melville Street is apriority. The addition of street trees to complement the green spaces at either end of the shopping precinct would provide a substantial visual lift to Melville Street as well as provide shade for pedestrians and parked vehicles.

Several heritage buildings and monuments including the courthouse, Numurkah Hotel, former bank building and Numurkah Hotel are important to the streetscape quality of the I Melville Street.

The waterwheel could be a stronger feature in the streetscape providing a stronger visual I link to the importance of irrigation. Recommendations for the water wheel include improving its visual impact, providing for better interpretation of its significance and ensuring its continued maintenance

I The Numurkah Community Design workshop identified several initiatives that could be taken to improve the landscape character and appearance of Melville Street. They included

I • planting of street trees and creation of shaded areas; • better paved surfaces; • addition of more seating with the introduction of a style for seating; I • improved lighting; • eventual undergrounding of powerlines; • more of a coordinated signage approach to improve overall streetscape; • introduction of public art into streetscape; I • uniformity and safety of awnings; • blank walls where buildings are set forward present an opportunity for murals; • advisory paint colour scheme; • removal of local law restricting construction of verandah posts on footpaths; and I • better signage at back of main street ie from and to service areas.

I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 70 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 11 / '.1: 1 r !

.~ ~ ~ +- ~ ~ I I POLICE ·1 , . RESERVE ..-1. .... , ~ J I 'A 'l 1. __ 1. e>,. I: I V>x I '8 ,..;= ·1 II ._ ..• _... - ...... -:.- ...... 1 I o I CALLENDER ,e SURCERV • \ .·---s··'" I ' EOUCA TlONAL '0 .~ PURPOSES I ---00 .... - ...-- . I RESERVE •

ST.,\.. TE I SCHOOL I RESER'IE I I I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. It,.~~-----, I LEGEND POST OFFICE I [*l Major Acllvlly Ar...

~;lIlrkC I e LJ .~ ~CUvlty Location,

.. - "._- ---.--::::"'------~. ~ historic Building. and Monum~nlS I .. _- --!"'t~------.-

r-----i Major Routes into Town Centre ~~~ ~ I ~ Car Parks (ON streel) ~ p.daslrlan, Link' + ___ ...L_ I •••• + -ST- I ~ .c-=J Narrow Footpaths I ':1 __ II i ! 1·'---- _"~213 _~4 M, ~ .L._~ ___ L_J ___ _ f­ .__ 3 ~. ~ 3· - 2 - I r-I L.inks to be reinforced I I _L_ i .-.------••• 0 - .. -.-.-----.-.... --.-- . I -t::.~,_.~_ I L-..J I 3 I M1Vi.W,oul I I ~ . I II> en ..... -.-'------f Mllvlllo Str ..t (South) r 1 . Improve Entry I I [DJI -L -.ST.. M.lvllle Str •• t (North) I 2 ~ Improvo Entry [0JI ~ Su.lan Slr.11 I ~ ~'I&On'h ~n"y ~ Culnn Strut ~ Est.on,h en"y I I TowYl Centre AflQly7i5 I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 71 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Street furniture in Melville Street has a tired appearance. A style for seating and rubbish bin receptacles should be introduced. Street lighting in main street is needed with a design that is part of an overall street furniture theme. ,Street lighting should be linked to open I space areas. The 'gaps' in built form and street frontage are a feature of the streetscape that is understated or neglected. The iron sheet barriers across these accessways lowers the I streetscape appearance. These should be removed and consideration should be given to opening up these potential walkways, especially where pedestrian circulation can be improved. '

I The entire length of shopping strip in Melville Street requires a landscape and design concept plan that addresses landscaping, improved pedestrian crossing and pavement surfaces, extending pedestrian pavement areas, and improving the use of public space. I Specific locations along Melville Street to be targeted for improvement (see below) are: • northern entrance at Saxton Street; • Quinn Street roundaboutlNewman Park precinct; I • pavement extension outside Telegraph Hotel; and • pedestrian crossing point at northern end of shopping precinct. I ------,-,- I I I I I

I ,,-,,-,----J, __ _ I

I '''' I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 72 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Landscaping

The Numurkah Community Design workshop identified the lack of trees, greenery and I shaded areas as significant issues that need to be addressed to improve the appearance and comfort of the town centre. Landscaping of Melville Street by street tree planting's and appropriate shrubs will provide a significant streetscape improvement.

I The landscaping theme is to be guided by existing features and landscape elements in Melville Street (Newman Square) and at the edge of the town centre, Creekside Park and I Memorial Park...... ;.; . .' Broken Creek is a significant natural feature of the township. The creek's location adjacent the town centre gives landscape character to the town and toW!) centre. Stronger visual landscape links can be developed along Quinn and Knox Streets· to better connect I the town centre with the creek and bring the landscape character of the creek into the town centre.

Eventual undergrounding of powerlines was identified in the community design workshop I as an important issue, with the view expressed that landscaping in Melville Street could be staged to make allowance for eventual undergrounding. I Establishing an historical link and a precinct between the Court House, waterwheel and the former National Bank building is proposed. This will be achieved by appropriate street tree I planting s (See below for more detail). I· I I I I I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 73 I I I MOIra° Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I I -I I I I I I I I I I I I I Plocpare d b y.T BA Planners Pty Ltd . 74 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Town Centre Entries

The visual appearance of the northern entrance to town centre (Saxton/Melville Street) I needs to be improved. Design improvements need to give a stronger impression of entering a town centre precinct and address the poor visual quality by : I • landscaping on the roundabout and at intersection corners that complements Memorial Park and proposed streetplanting for Melville Street, • a more co-ordinated and visually responsive approach to signage, • less intrusive advertising on the supermarket building facade, and I • remove of unnecessary and unsightly structures such the barrier on south east corner.

Entries to the town centre from Quinn and Saxton Streets east of the rail line could also be I planlt:d with street trees to give the impression of a town entry. I Traffic and Parking The highway by pass of the town centre has created more of a 'community feeling' in the town centre and offers more opportunities to increase shopper and visitor convenience and I comfort as well as upgrade the appearance of Melville Street. The need to reduce travel speed through the town centre is the only major traffic issue identified by the Numurkah Community Design workshop, suggesting the need for some I traffic calming. It is the consultant's view that the introduction of streettree planting will provide a visual cue to reduce· speed. Other proposals such as the waterw.heel roundabout precinct, improved northern entrance and an additional pedestrian crossing will have . a I· similar. effect. The general lack of offstreet parking and need for additional parking at the rear of shops in Melville Street were identified as issues at the Community Design workshop. This I perceived car parking problem would be alleviated by the temporary use of the vacant corner site Knox and Melville and use of the vacant site at the corner Knox and McCaskill site. Some form of subsidy should be investigated to encourage car parking at rear of I shops in Melville Street. I Pedestrian Access The Community Design workshop identified the need to generally improve pedestrian I comfort and convenience along Melville Street. Pedestrian access issues identified at the workshop included :

• Better pedestrian circulation is possible throughout the town centre. • There is confusion as to where road starts and footpath begins • General improvements are required to pavement surfaces • Easier access into some stores is required • Improved access is generally required for people with disability • Pedestrian links could be improved to town facilities such as the school, creek and railway. I • Laneways at rear of shops need to be upgraded. Initiati ves that are recommended to improve pedestrian access include:

I • Extensions to the foot pavement, for example, outside the Telegraph Hotel where existing pavement width is narrow. This will improve the pedestrian crossing point, I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 75 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

allow better presentation of the hotel building to the street, and generally improve the I quality and appearance of public space. This proposal would require the deletion of a car parking space. • The 'gaps' in the built form along Melville Street provide opportunities, where the need exists, to improve access to the rear of shops, laneways and to Meikljohn and I McCaskill Streets. • Encouraging through shop access to laneways is possible ·if parking is available. Currently access from rear of shops is not good. I • New paving surfaces could be progressively introduced on both sides of main street. • Additional pedestrian crossings could be provided, especially at the north end of the I Melville Street. I Town Centre Facilities The range and standard of Numurkah's community facilities is impressive and may be may be an important factor in retaining population levels in the future. The parks and I gardens are major assets that can form the basis of strategies to improve the streetscape and appearance of the town centre.

Ideas and issues raised at the community design workshop in relation to existing or I potential facilities included :

• Better directional signs are needed for the toilets. Currently they are difficult to find I •. Street stalls at different locations along Melville would bring more life to the town centre. The existing local laws that prohibit placing of tables and chairs on pavement should be reviewed. . • A permanent display of Numurkah' s . history could be exhibited in Melville Street. I The display space or facility could have changing themes. .• The idea of a performance space and/or venue, particularly for the Numurkah singers I should be investigated. I 4.3.5 Highway Entrances At the present it is not at all obvious to the traveller that a town the size of Numurkah is located alongside the highway. As the traveller approaches the Katamatite turnoff there are I few visual cues to entice a visit to the township and town centre.

A gateway feature at the intersection of the Goulburn Valley Highway needs to be considered. The approach to the town centre along Katamatite Road has an attractive I appearance. Essentially the water and planting theme should be retained and enhanced.

VicRoads have indicated that a future site for the highway needs to be determined. The I eventual duplication of the Highway needs to be considered in longer term planning for land use alongside the Highway. The number of access points onto the Highway need to be minimised for traffic safety.

I The predominant visual impression from· the Highway is that Numurkah has 'turned its back' to the highway, where as it could be presented as the 'front garden' of the town. I This neglect will need to be addressed when the route for highway duplication is decided. I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 76 I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I 4.3.5 Design Concepts and Strategies The Design and Landscape Concept for Melville Street is shown on page 79.

I Streetscape works and design improvements include:

.• Planting of advanced street trees along both sides of Melville Street, at intersection roundabouts. Approximately fifty (50 ) trees are proposed to be planted. Proposed I street tree species are Pyrus 'Winter Glow' (White Flowering Pear, Eucalyptus citridora (Lemon Scented Gum) and Michelia doltsopa.. _ • A new mid block pedestrian crossing between Quinn and Saxton Streets with extensions I to pedestrian areas and reduced road pavement. Extensions to pedestrian areas are also proposed for the existing pedestrian crossing between Knox and Quinn Streets. • Low hedge planting along the edge of extended pavement areas to provide planting theme along streetscape. Existing brick planters are proposed to be planted with low I hedge. Low hedging is also proposed at pavement edge of supermarket car park and the vacant site a t the comer of Melville and Knox Street. • Removing existing red brick paving and replacing with rules concrete paving for pavement areas between Knox Street and Saxton Street. I •. Remove corrugated iron fencing from front of accessways and vacant sites and replace with a temporary hedge. I The cost estimate for the above proposals is $ 120,000. Itemised costing is shown on page 80.

I Feature s1reet trees such as . I Michelia doltsopa . Telegraph Hotel - Street trees such as c \ . Pyru~ :Winter Glow' I I I

I Potential I mural\art site

I . Defined Ruled pedes1rian . low hedging to define· concrete crossing pedestrian crossing and to paying I provide planting theme along street I , I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 77 I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Other proposals for Melville Street and adjacent areas include: • Relocation of Water Wheel to Newman Park. • Community artwork or mural at locations shown on the Landscape Concept Plan. • East-west precinct entrances top Melville Street form Knox, Quinn and Saxton Streets I planted with evergreen street trees. • Improving the visual appearance of the northern entry to the town centre by rational ising signage and discouraging intrusive advertising on shop facades. I • Reinforce the parkland character to the south of the town centre by planting roadside trees along the bridge, Creekside Park and the entry to the town centre. I I I Central feature tree with Relocate Waterwheel to Newman Square massed groundcover planting. Feature tree provides focal point and I links to Newman Park. I I I I I

I MELVILLE \ QUINN STREET ROUNDABOUT I I I I I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 78 I LEG END -I rnl Proposed.- tree BUCh •• ~ PynIS "Winter Glow" • Whtte _ring Pear

rml p~ streeltree such as I ~Mic:heliad_a

Proposed.- tree such as • EucalyptUs citr1odOfB • Lemon-scented Gum I (] ~. PropOSed tow hedge to provide I L-U ptantlng - atong streetscaIl" [E?H hedge

Proposed ruled conaete paving . I .. RernoW existing red br1c:l< paving ~ and replace vrith ooncrete paving. n n n~o pedestrian crossing vrith I 20. . U U U regutatlon .lgnsge. I

._oroe the par1ekSlde Pari<.

East _ west preCInd _ to be planted vrith ....rgreen.- tn>eS. I .. East _ wesl prec:ind entrances to! planted with evergreen ~t tr'el" fall-west prec:ind __ to be "'. . \.OW hedging. JianI8d vrith 8'/8flItaeI\ ":'"'" treeS·

. . . ~ I "'. ..

VISI!"iIY improve entry 10 town centre by rationaljzj, signsge end diSCOUmge I intrUsive advertising on 51 facades.

Ii! StlintHallIll"dOffice .. Briel< planterS retained and Relocate Water' Wheel ptanted vrith tow hedge. to Newman PafX. . Eucatyptus c;itriodor8 with 0 ground cove< planting. . I Remove c:omrgaled iron fer1Oin9 fmm!ront 0I._)'S. . . " Planl a lemp"rlll'i.hedge ""til site drNajoped· z o {)p\lOrtUnlty to< pta_ of: Community artWOf\l or.mu1Ol.: I o I I

I "'joO Numurkah Town Centre - Melville Street I --Landscape Concepl _,m 1:200 CHRIS DANCE "'" LAND OE&IQH """ .,..... : : : ...... y ...... " . ", "",,,, onUS4 ...... "...... ,...... I _.. o_."· .... ·.. _c .., 50' ...... WI ..... ~---, ~=':.-::::::...... o . 4· B 12 16 zorn I

I ------~ I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy Table Numurkah Town Centre .: Preliminary opinion of probably cost 1 for Melville Street (between Saxton and Know Streets) Streetscape works. I (Based upon Landscape Concept drawing dated September, 1997). Item Description UOlt "quantity Rate 1l) Cost estimate 1 1 Prehminanes Item 5,000.00 2 Demolition of: - existIng m2 600 10.00 6,000.00 concrete/ red brick paving to I subgrade; asphalt to sub-base 3 Site preparation Item 5,000.00 I 4 Paving 4.1 Paving - ruled concrete paving m2 000 40.00 24,000.00 on existing subgrade

4.2 Concrete kerb and channel Item 5,000.00 I 5 Horticultural 5.1 Advanced tree planting no. 53 1,000.00 53,000.00 I· 5.3. Construction· and preparaqon of .m2 ·100 15.00 1,500.00 planting beds; includes topsoil . and mulCh· . .. I 5.4 . .. Preparation ot planting beds In Item 1,000.00 .. brick planters, includes topsoil I and mulch 5.6 Supply and install shrubs no. 600 15.00 9,000.00 I 6 Maintenance weeks 13 200.00 2,600.00 7 Design Contingency 5,000.00 1 TOTAL 120,000.00

Notes:

I 1 . Assumes re-use of existing footpath sub-base

2 . The items costed excludes the following: I Drainage, Irrigation, Relocation of services and pit adjustments, I Lighting, Signage, Relocation of the Waterwheel, Art WorklMural, I Professional Fees. I Prepared by TBA Planners Pty Ltd 80

I I I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I I I APPENDICES I I" I I A. Previous Studies B .' Demographic Profiles of Cobram, Yarrawonga I and Numurkah I C. Responses to Workshop Surveys I I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I APPENDIX A

I Moira Shire Council Draft Land. Use Plan (1996) I The objectives of this plan in relation to retail, commerce and tourism are: • To promote a greater retention of local and tourist expenditure within the Shire. • To integrate tourist and retail services as a means of maximising marketing and purchasing impact. I • To encourage the retention of local retail services for residents with limited access to larger regional centres. • To enable each urban centre to establish a clear role and function for its long term I viability as a commerce and community centre. In short, the objective of the plan is to ensure that each centre's role is defined and developed I- particularly to make thc most of opportunities pfe$eIlL~u uy Luurist and visitor numbers.

. " .' I Moira Shire Integrated Strategy Plan Report 1 (1996) This report suggests that during the late 1980s and early 1990s the retailing structure. of the Shire area has been re-shaped unde.r a number of economiC and social forces which. has led I to: • the increasing dominance of the big regional centres like Shepparton, in part due to an increase in resident mobility; • increased size of river towns such as'Yarrawonga and Cobram (although the retail I turnover densities of these centres has declined); and • a decline in rural service areas such as Numurkah, necessitating the review of the retail I structure and land use of such towns. This report also claims that shopping has become increasingly integrated with recreation and entertainment activities, and as such the aesthetics and recreation I entertainment facilities of towns will play an increasingly important role in influencing the behaviour of regional I residents and visitors. The report suggests that due to the relatively low population level in Moira Shire, a regional I level retail facility is unlikely to be viable at the present time. I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Economic Profile for the Central Murray Region (1995) This report states that retail and business activity in the Central Murray Region is dominated by a small number of regional centres and supplemented by a network of small local centres I which perform a lower order role ( Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah fit into this latter definition). It is asserted that this situation is likely to remain constant for the foreseeable future. -

I The major economic opportunity for the smaller centres of the region is related to developing recreation, entertainment and tourism roles in association with traditional town centre I functions. I Cob ram Retail Profile (1996) This report assessed Cobram's role in the regional retail structure. It was found that the town captures about 65% of expenditure from households within its catchment boundary and that I Shepparton is likely to attract most of the 35% expenditure leakage. The report recommends that in order to minimise retail expenditure leakage and simultaneously increase the catchment area - in the context of increasing population numbers . in Cobram - additional retail floors pace should be provided. The report recommends that I development of a full line supermarket will fulfil Cobram'.s retail needs and contribute (with multiplier effects) about $20 million to the town's economy per' annum .. ' .

I I I I I I I I

I 2 I I I I I APPENDIX B

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES OF COBRAM, YARRAWONGA, AND I NUMURKAH

the 1996 census data is available at a first release'stage. The only information available I at the level of urban locality is population totals, age structure, birthplace and individual income. Other data will not be available until mid 1998. I The 1991 Census data has been used in these profiles in the absence of 1996 data.

I Cobraril The town of Cobram had a population of 3,876 in 1996. The town's population increased by 1.84% between 1991 and 1996. Cobram was overwhelmingly an I Australian born and English speaking born community however the town boasted a large Italian community, with almost five percent of Cobram's inhab~tants born in Italy.

I In 1991, the bulk of Cobram's population was not qualified, while 17 percent of the . population was either skilled or 'possessed a tertiary qualification. Almost half of the , population of Cobram was gainfully employed while seven percent of the population I . was unemployed .. The two largest employers were·the Manufacturing. and Wholesale & Retail industries. In 1991, severity seven percent of individuals and 49 percent of I households had an annual income less than 25,000 dollars per annum. I Age Profile 85+ r I 75-84 65-74 i ! I I 55-64 ~ I 45-54 ~ I I 35-44 i ~ I 25-34 I I 18-24 ~ ~ I 4-17 I I 0-4 ~ 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% I Table 1: Age Profile of Cobram, (ABS, 1996). I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

The proportion of residents over the age of 65 years was 17.0 % in 1996, while 35 I percent of the population was under the age of 25 years. Individuals within the 4 to 17 age group were the most numerous age group within the Cobram community, representing 19 percent of the total Cobram population. Individuals within the 25 to 34 I and 35-44 age group were the second most numerous, each representing 12.9 percent of the total Cobram population. I Country of Birth I ·-1 Australia I UK I I.tflly I . MESC

I NESC I 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Table2: Country of birth (Mainly English Speaking Countries (MESC», (Non English I Speaking Countries (NESC» (ABS, 1996). Eighty nine percent of the population of Cobram was born in Australia. Five percent of . the Cobram population was born in Italy and 6.4% percent of the Cobram population 1 was born in a non English speaking country.

In 1991, English was spoken at home by 87 percent of the Cobram POpuhltion. Italian I was spoken by nine percent of the population while four percent of the population spoke other languages than English or Italian at home. I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Highest Qualification Achieved

I Cobram, Highest Qual~ication

80% I 70% 60% c. 50% o I a.. 40% ~ 30% I 20% 10%

O%+----+----+---L+--~+----+ -0 Ol a. u u "jij Q)- Q) Q) o ~ '6 ..Q) ::::! I ..c- -0 > 0l0l (!J og. u -0 CI 0- Q) ..c o u IO <;;0 u 00;; c- (5 IU .,.. Q) o IU -0 Z a.. co <{ co IU I .E I Table 3: Highest qualification achieved (ABS, 1991). In 1991, sIxty eight percent of the population of Cobrarn was not qualified, ten percent of the population had achieved a skilled vocation, while seven percent of the population I had obtained a tertiary qualification. 0 Employment Status I I Cobram, Employment Status 50% 45% I 40% 35% c. 30% o I a.. 25% ~ 20% I 15% 10% 5% I 0% Part Time Full lime Total Tolal Unemployed I Employed Table 4: Employment Status, (ABS, 1991) I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy In 1991, forty nine percent of the population of Cobram was engaged in employment. Thirteen percent of the population was engaged in part time employment, 33 percent I was engaged in full time employment. Seven percent of the Cobram population was unemployed. I Industry of Employment

I Cobram, Industry of Employment I 25% 20%

I c. 15% 0 CL. I ~ 10% 5%

I 0% (5 Cl ~ ~ Q) 0 0 Q) .?;> ~ >. c t5 "0 ~ Cl u... ", .. 2 ..c ", 'c V J;l .~ g 'c "1i5 Q:i 'c to v ::s Q)(I) ~ 'S ii5 ;;; Q) .D E Q) ::s c (!) -;n ex: !!!.9 E 0 ::s -0- E (3 ~ c Q) .~ ", 0 I-U) E c c...<1;~ E Q) 03 (5 0 ", '"Q:i en ~ u 0 ex: a.. « ~ ..s::: W c U I UJ 3 u:

I Table 5: Industry of employment CABS, 1991) The wholesale & retail industry employed the largest proportion of the Cobram workforce, employing 21 percent of the Cobram workforce in 1991. Manufacturing I industries were the second largest employer, employing 18 percent of the Cobram workforce. Community services was the third largest industry employing 13 percent of I Cobram's workforce. I Individual Annual Income

I Over $78000 $4O(XX). $78000 Infrastructure L'b I rary I $2600(). $40000

$10400- I $28000

$().$10400

I 0% 10% 20% 30"10 40% 50%

I Table 6: Individual annual income, CABS, 1996). I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

The largest income category for individuals in Cobram was 0 to 10,400 dollars, with 43 I percent falling within this category. The second largest income category was 10,400 to 26,000 dollars, 28 percent of the population belonging to this income category. Twenty I two percent of the population earnt over 26,000 dollars per annum.

I I I I

I I I I I I I I ------I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Yarrawonga

The town of Yarrawonga had a population of 3,503 in 1996. The towns population I declined by 3.2 % between 1991 and 1996. Twenty-seven percent of individuals living in Yarrawonga were over the age of 65 years, while 29 percent of the population was under the age of 25 years. Ninety-four percent of the population is Australian born, I while English predominated as the languagesp9kel} ,at home. In 1991, the bulk of Yarrawonga's population was not qualified while 17 percent of the population was either skilled or possessed a tertiary qualification. Almost half of the I population of Yarrawonga was gainfully employed while six percent of the population was unemployed. The two largest employers were the Personal Services and Wholesale & Retail industries. Seventy seven percent of individuals and 49 percent of households had an annual income less than 25,000 dollars per annum. I Age Profile

85+

I 75-84

65-74

I 55-64

45-54 .1 35-44 25-34 1 18-24 4-17 1 0-4 1 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Table 7 : Age Profile of Yarrawonga, CABS, 1996) 1 Individuals within the 0 to 9 age group were the most numerous age group within the Yarrawonga community, representing 16 percent of the total population of Yarrawonga. Individuals in the 65 to 74 age group, were the second most numerous, representing 13.7 percent of the population of Yarrawonga. Thirteen five percent of the population of Yarrawonga was over 70 years old. 1 1 I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Country of Birth I Australia I UK

Italy I MESC I I NESC I Table 8: Country of birth (Mainly English Speaking Countries (MESC», (Non English I Speaking Countries (NESC», (ABS, 1996). Ninety four percent of the population of Yarrawonga was born in Australia and 1.5 percent of the population was born in a NESC.

I Highest Qualification I Yarrawonga, Highest Qualification

I 70% 60% I 50% g. 40% Il. N 30%

20% I 10%

- Q) -u Cl Cl. o o o Q) Q) '0 Q) '6 o o .s=.­ -u > > ..Q) ClCl c!i.~ o -u I .- Q) .s=. o -u o (;:;0 o .;;; CT :::Co ~ Q) o '0 .. :.;;z co -u 0.... CD -

In 1991, sixty eight percent of the population of Yarrawonga were not qualified, ten I percent had achieved a skilled vocation, while seven percent of the population had a tertiary qualification.

I Employment Status

I Yarrawonga, Employment Status

50% I 45% 40% 35% I g- 30% Q. 25% ~ 20% I 15% 10% 5% 0%. I Part TIme Full Time . Tolal To1aI Pers:ns Unemployed . I Employed Table 10 : Employment Status, CABS, 1991).

In 1991, forty eight percent of the population of Yarrawonga was engaged in employment. Fifteen percent of the population was engaged in part time employment, thirty percent of the population was engaged in full time employment. While six percent I of the population of Yarrawonga was unemployed. I I I I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I Industry of Employment

I Yarrawonga, Industry of Employment I 18% 16% 14% I 12% g.10% Q.. N 8% I 6% 4% I 2% 0% (5 Cl '5 ol:S 0 ";0 «S Q) E 0 z.. C :s Cl Q) c ";:: LL Ii) ." Si "E 4l ~~ > 16 '"OJ 1!l ~ ~ 0 4l 0 :s Q) 0 ol:S :& (!)"jij a::: u "U Qi ~ ~ c !!!.9 0 <{ c E (J -If) 0 I- If) C 4l '" I "~ u a> ro 0- E -Q) 4l a .9103 (5 c =4l 0 a:Q... <( w .s:::. u:: .go u I 3 a.. Table 11 : Industry of Employment, CABS, 1991) I In 1991, the recreation and personal services industry was the largest employer in Yarrawonga, employing 17 percent of the Yarra wong a workforce. The second largest employers in Yarrawonga were the community service and wholesale & retail industries each industry employed 16 percent of the Yarrawonga workforce respectively. I Manufacturing industry in Yarrawonga'was a significant employer, employing 15 percent of the Yarrawonga workforce. I Individual Income I

Over $78000

I $40000· $78000

$26000- I $40000

$10400- I $26000 $0-$10400

I 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

I Table 12 : Individual Income, CABS, 1996). I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I The largest income category for individuals in Yarrawonga was 0 to 10,400 dollars, with 46 percent of the Yarrawonga population falling into this category. The second largest income category was 10,400 to 26,000 dollars, 30 percent of the population I belonging to this income category. Sixteen percent of the population earned over 26,000 dollars per annum. I -I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I Numurkah The town of Numurkah had a population of 3,174 in 1991. The town's population increased by 1.6 per cent between 1991 and 1996. Twenty-three percent of the individuals living in Numurkah were over the age of 65 years, while 34 percent of the I population was under the age of 25 years. Eighty-nine percent of the population is Australian born. I In 1991, the bulk of the population of Numurkiili was not qualified while 17 percent of the population was either skilled or possessed a tertiary qualification. Almost half of the population of Numurkah was gainfully employed while six percent of the population was unemployed. The two largest employers were the Manufacturing and Community I Services industries.

Eighty-two percent of individuals had an annual income less than 26,000 dollars per I annum. I Age Profile I 85+ 75·84 I 65·74 . 55·64 I 45·54 35·44 I 25·34 18·24

4·17

I ()"4 I 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% I Table 13 : Age Profile of Numurkah (ABS, 1996). Individuals within the 4 to 17 age group were the most numerous age group within the Numurkah community, representing 18.8 percent of the Numurkah population. Individuals within the 35 to 44 age group represented 12.3 percent of the Numurkah I population, the second most numerous group. Individuals over 60 years represeilted 33 percent of the Numurkah population. I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I Country of Birth

I Australia

I UK

I Italy

I MESC

I NESC

II 0% .·20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

I . Table 14: Country of birth, (Mainly English Speaking Countries (MESC», (Non II English Speaking Countries (NESC» (ABS,1996). .

Ninety-four percent of the population of Numurkah was born in Australia and 2.9 I percent were born in the United Kingdom (UK). Only 1.5 percent of the population was born in a NESC. I I I I I I I I I I I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I Highest Qualification Achieved I Numurl

I 60%

50% I g- 40% Il. I ~ 30% 20% I 10% 0% Q) Co Cl Co Co u u Q) Q) (5 ·W :u is §! ~ en "'C u "'C Q) "0 .s:: ", U o· 10 u 0 "C:; . 0" I 10 51 10 Q) a (D '" (D "'C Q3 co «'" ", .s:: <;; "'C Cl 0 t: .£ I :i: a. ::J Table 15 : Highest Qualification Achieved CABS, 1991).

I In 1991, sixty seven percent of the population of Numurkah were not qualified, nine percent of the population had achieved a skilled vocation, while eight percent of the I population have a tertiary qualification. I I I

I I I I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I I Employment Status I Numurkah, Employment Status. 45% I 40% 35% I 30% §" 25% a.. I ~ 20% 15% I 10% 5%

0% I Part Time Full Time Total . Total Empbyed . Unemployed I Table 16: Employment Status.

In 1991, forty three percent of the population of N umurkah were engaged in I employment. Thirteen percent of the population was engaged in part time employment, 28 percent was engaged in full time employment. Six percent of the working population I of Numurkah was unemployed. I I I I I I I I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy I Industry of Employment I I Numurkah, Industry of Employment 25%

20%

Co 15% I o a.. I ~ 10% 5%

I 0% 0 01 tl «I t5 .iij «I 0) U U :::. «I > C 01 c ~ Qj LL. <0 ...... ·c a5 0) ·c ·c 10 Qj 2 a5 C ~ :::5 ·e ~ Rl "'0 :Etn '2 l!:l':,j ~c CI: ~B E u !:! ~ ~ 0) (J) « 0) u .. .!J <0 0 I- E C ·0 10 u- E Q) Qj ::::E 03 u (5 =0) 0 I en ~. u C .CI: a.. ..s:::: U « UJ i.L: ~o 3: a... I . Table 17: Industry of Employment, CABS, 1991).

In 1991, the wholesale & retail industry employed the largest proportIon of the I Numurkah workforce, employing 21 percent of the working population of Numurkah. The community services industry was the next largest employer, employing 20 percent of the working population of N umurkah. Manufacturing was the third largest employer, I employing eleven percent of the working population of Numurkah.

I Individual Income

I Over $78000

$40000· I $78000 $26000- I $40000 $10400- $26000

I $0-$10400 I 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Table 18 : Annual individual income, CABS, 1996) I I I

I Moira Towns 2010 Strategy

I The largest income bracket for individuals in Numurkah was 0 to 10,400 dollars, with 41.7 percent falling into this category. The second largest income bracket was 10,400 to 26,000 dollars, 40.3 percent of the population belonging to this income category. Eighteen percent of the population earnt over 26,000 per annum.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I MOIRA roWNS 2010 STRATEGY I ,APPENDIX C I WORKSHOP SURVEYS' I Response to Cobram Surveys

QUESTION RESPONSE

I What do you think is Cobram's greatest asset? • Its people ( 3 Responses) • Its community • The ethnic Background I • The Murray River (3 responses) • Murray Goulburn • Cobram Barooga Combined Assets I Is Cobram beautiful? If yes, in what way? • No. its not well presented • No, its in bits and pieces • No the shape of the street • Yes, its Trees I • No. however it has the potential • Tidy town - assets are - river and gum trees • Set out neatly I • Natural trees. clean and tidy presentation • Comfortable size town ' . . . . • Parks and gardens What do you think.is missing from the town? • Streetscap'e I • More street seating • Good central focus • Identity / Themes I • Greenery • Entertainment for kids - particularly teenagers • Big supermarket I • K M~rt type complex • Street beautification. needs reconstructing plus I large business to employ people • Nothing I What will be the greatest challenge for the town • Keeping it thriving over the next 10 years? • To remain vibrant (2 Responses) • Maintain what it has I • Achieving an identity • To grow and be a leader • Whether Peaches & Cream will continue to be I successful • Keeping a tidy town and developing more parks & gardens • Retaining youth and providing employment I • Unemployment What is the most attractive part of town? • Movie Park ( 6 Responses) I I I I I

I • Train Station • River End • Murray River brings people to the town • Thompson Beach I • The Murray River What do you think is the most important part of • Mivo Park town? • CBO & Mivo Park I • Businesses, CBO( 2 Responses) • CBO - Post office - Bank Street • CBO (3 responses) !I • Murray River brings people to the town What is the greatest problem facing the town over • Falling behind the other towns the next 10 years? • Traffic management • Traffic management in the CBO I • Generating and maintaining an enthusiastic outlook • Bringing it together, including employment • Employment I • Influx of tourist and not enough work • Vandalism • Maintaining present growth • Complacency of people now that we have lost our I Cobram Shire Council How important is Tourism to the economy of the • No, not like Echuca Town? • Important, but not the most significant I • Not vitally, but plays a role • Very Important (5 responses) • Big importance to the town I • Well balance economy but tourism does fill a need . Cobram is a great place for...... ? • Golfing • Sport facilities and leisure time • Lifestyle ( 2 Responses) I • A nice balanced lifestyle • Shopping, sports and recreation • Living I • Family and relaxation • Conducting a business & bringing up children • Visiting If only Cobram was a bit more like ..... ? • Echuca, river oriented I • Echuca (2 responses) • Albury/Wodonga • Yarrawonga I • Swan Hill • No other town • Cobram is unique and I wouldn't like to see it like I any other town .. • Should be unique • needs its own identity • I • What do you think is a strong theme for Cobram? • Produce /& Italian Is it needed? • Ethnic Community / River I • Beaches / River • Cosmopolitan (2 responses) I • Peaches & Cream I I I I

• River and Peaches & Cream I • Food bowl • Tourism • Sporting and Recreation I What is Cobram's distinguishing feature'? • Nothing • Beaches • River ( 2 Responses) I • Cobram/Barooga Gold club - Murray Bridge • On the Murray with beaches so close to town, unique Murray Goulburn arid very strong Italian population I • Friendliness (2 responses) • RACV Complex I • Diversity of Primary Industries I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I Response to Yarrawonga Surveys I I QUESTION RESPONSE What do you think is Yarrawonga's greatest • Lake Mulwala (5) asset? • The golf club (2) • water ski clubs I • its community • the clubs ( with pokie machines) • the streets • its elderly community & facilities • holiday conveniences Is Yarrawonga beautiful? If yes, in what way? • Yes, nicest inland spot where the Murray meets the lake(4) I • yes, its surroundings • yes, for a country town it has all the modern cons • yes, beautiful wetlands & inland area(2) I • yes, for its water ways & parks • yes, magical surroundings • yes, its where I live I • yes, its friendly community What do you think is missing from the town? • sense of community (2) • nothing (6) • community awareness I • facilities for youth ( 2) • better amenities (2) . • employment (job stability) What will be the greatest challenge for the town • fighting the casino ( takes away tourist) (2) .•. over the next 10 years? • bringing the tourist back (4) • struggle with unemployment I • providing youth services (i.e.: entertainment) • generating employment (2) • fighting pokie machines • fighting taxes on clubs I • getting community involvement • maintaining businesses • coping tinancially I What is the most attractive part of town? • foreshore around the Lake (3) • Lake (9) • parks (2) • golf club (2) I • bridge (2) What do you think is the most important part of • Bridge and the scenery (2) town? • not sure I • golf club • retail area(5) • the lake ( without the lake there would be very I little) (4) • water ski clubs ( attract many tourist) I • clubs ( they generate a lot of employment) I I I I

I • centre • tourist centre • holidaying areas What is the greatest problem facing the town over • casino I the next 10 years? • unemployment (7) • youth unemployment • new tax faced by the dubs ( 2nd largest employer) I • bringing the tourist back & attract tourist (7) • keeping all our facilities open • taxes on clubs I • maintain appearance & streetscape • battling the pokies • keeping the community together How important is Tourism to the economy of the • . extremely (3) I Town? • vital (2) • essential ( 3) • very (3) I • a lot Yarrawonga is a great place for...... ? • raising children • retirees (3) I • not so great for business • holidays ( 6) • playing golf (2) • relaxing(2) I • having fun • water skiing • fishing ( 2) I • boat tours If only Yarrawonga waS a bit more like ..... ? • . Echuca ( good use of water tourisin) (3) • Beechworth • Mildura I • no other (5) • Cobram • Moama I What do you think is a strong theme for • dead trees & bridge (2) Yarrawonga? • water recreation • modern golf club I • the foreshore • the lake (3) • a retirement town (2) • variety of entertainment ( for all ages) I • community (3) What is Yarrawonga's distinguishing feature? • dead trees & bridge • the lake (9) I • modern golf club (2) • tourist identity • foreshore I • boating expeditions • my home • clubs I • water-skiing facilities I

I I I

I Response to Numurkah Surveys I I QUESTION RESPONSE What do. yQU think is Numurkah's greatest asset? • its recreatiQnal facilities ( bQwling, swimming, tennis cQurts) • rose gardens (2) I • creek (2) • cQmmunity spirit • public amenities (2) I • its ability to. cater fQr all ages Is Numurkah beautiful? If yes, in what way? • Yes, its Qriginality • Yes, manicured gardens & pleasance streets (2) • Yes, nice trees in streets I • Yes, its rose gardens • Yes, its a hQme tQwn What do. yQU think is missing frQm the tQwn? • mQdern cQnveniences I • cQmmunity spirit invQlvement (3) • a greater fQCUS Qn tQurism • emplQyment fQr the YQuth I What will be the greatest challenge fQr the tQwn • expanding to. increase emplQyment (3) Qver the next 10 years? • retaining PQPulatiQn • attracting tQurist (2) • attracting business (2) I • maintaining facilities w.e have • to. imprQve the approach from the North end • to. create an aesthetic appearance fQr Numurkah What is.the mQst attractive part Qf tQwn? • . rose garden (2) . .• picnic areas • the creek • parks where the Qld rail carriages are displayed (2) ( Paper Park?) • tQwn entrance • parks, swimming PQQls, bQwls , tennis BBQ's I What do. yQU think is the mQst impQrtant part Qf • rose gardens (2) tQwn? • creek & waterfall • shQPping centre (3) I • central area What is the greatest problem facing the tQwn Qver • retaining and attracting business (4) into. many the next 10 years? empty shQPs • gaining cQmmunity invQlvement I • unemplQyment (3) • retaining PQPulatiQn • attracting tQurist (3) I • maintaining current facilities HQW impQrtant is TQurism to. the eCQnQmy Qf the • crucial TQwn? • very (4), but nQt always recQgnised, needs to. be I encQuraged • nQt very N umurkah is a great place fQr ...... ? I • relaxing(2) I I I I

1 • bringing up a t:1mily (2) • enjoying yourself & living (2) • community • friends I • growing up • sports amenities, recreational facilities • rose gardens 1 If only Numurkah was a bit more like ..... ? • Cobram (2) • no other (3) • Echuca What do you think is a strong theme for • a town of roses and garden (3) I Numurkah? • creeks and fountain • historical buildings • community awareness & togetherness (2) 1 What is Numurkah's distinguishing feature? • the creek and Rose Gardens (4) • community awareness .1 • Memorial Gardens, with cenotaph 1 I I I 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I