Community Plan

2016 - 2019 Hindmarsh Shire Council 92 Nelson Street VIC 3418 03 5391 4444 [email protected]

Cover photo - Lynton Brown - 2 Table of Contents

Page 4 - Development of the Jeparit Community Plan Page 5 - Message from the CEO and Jeparit Town Committee Page 6 - Best things about Jeparit Page 7 - Community Liveability Page 11 - Built and Natural Environment Page 18 - Competitive and Innovative Economy Community Plan

Planning for 2016 - 2019 Development Community Plans started in late Process 2015 with community workshops where initiatives were identified and prioritised. Surveys were created in April 2016 based on information gathered at the earlier community meetings. The survey Results from the surveys were provided community members a collated and presented to the chance to give further feedback on community at a Community previously identified initiatives. Consultation held in June. The surveys focused on three Initiatives for 2016 - 2019 strategic objectives which Community Plans were discussed correspond with the Council Plan: with responsible stakeholders - Community Liveability - Built and Natural Environment and time frames established. - Competitive and Innovative The Jeparit Community Plan Economy was adopted by Council at its August 2016 Council Meeting.

4 Message from the CEO and Jeparit Town Committee

The Jeparit Community Plan for 2016- 2019 illustrates a continued collaborative The Jeparit Town Committee approach between council and the local recognises and understands community. The initiatives identified the importance of community in this plan represent the aspirations of planning. It gives the community Rainbow and will be considered in the a sense of direction for the development of the next Council Plan. town’s future development and Council will work with community growth. The more community involvement, the bigger the voice groups who have been identified as and the vision for successful future lead responsibility or as a partner town planning. With Community to deliver identified initiatives. involvement it brings more ideas On behalf of Council, I thank all and strategies, and a sense of community members who took the community ownership and pride. time to assist in the development of this plan. We look forward to Jason Hutson working with the community to see Chairman these initiatives to come to fruition. Jeparit Town Committee Anne Champness Acting Chief Executive Officer Best things about the Community?

Wimmera Pioneer Museum Best facilities in Safe Community Community Spirit the Community? Seniors Programs Sporting Clubs and Facilities Menzies Square Mateship RV Dump Point Local Pool

Modern Hospital New Cabins at Caravan How to increase youth Park participation?

Better Skate Park More youth activities Mentoring days in local clubs Movie Nights at the Town Hall Weekend Youth Centre

6 Community Liveability 2016 - 2019

Community Objectives What is the desired community objective? Establish a Neighbourhood House

Link to Council Plan An actively engaged How will we achieve this community Objective? - Investigate feasibility of establishment of neighbourhood house programs and services. - Investigate partnership with organisation in neighbouring towns Lead Responsibility e.g.. Nhill Learning Centre/ Rainbow Community organisation Neighbourhood House - Identify suitable premises Partner Organisation - Identify appropriate funding Jeparit Town Committee Nhill Learning Centre Rainbow Neighbourhood House Timeframe (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Short/Ongoing

8 What is the desired community objective? Establish sound and sustainable communication processes across the community to engage and inform awareness of organisations, clubs and services.

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this An actively engaged Objective? Community 1 - Develop a better online presence for the Township of Jeparit. 2 - Increased use of Community Notice Board and other locations for display of local Information e.g.. Supermarket, post office and Council Customer Office. Lead Responsibility 3 - Continue annual new resident Community (1& 2) welcome events. Council (3 & 4) 4 - Continue home delivery distribution Partner Organisation of Council’s Newsletter Community Groups and organisations Jeparit Town Committee Timeframe (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Short/Ongoing What is the desired community objective? Improved local access of Counselling Services —Financial, Emotional, Legal etc.

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this A range of effective and accessible services to support Objective? the health and well-being of our community Advocate for supporting services: - West Health Service (WWHS) - Wimmera Uniting Care (WUC) - Centrelink Lead Responsibility Council Partner Organisation WWHS Timeframe WUC (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Centrelink Ongoing Jeparit Town Committee

10 Built and Natural Environment 2016 - 2019

Community Objectives What is the desired community objective? Increased and improved visitor experience through development of existing natural assets e.g.. / Lake Hindmarsh and heritage based attractions e.g. WMPM and Menzies Square

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this Well-maintained physical Objective? assets and infrastructure - Planned development and to meet community and maintenance program for WMPM organisational needs. - Continued support of annual Jeparit Fishing Competition - Establishment of Hindmarsh Trail/ walking paths along the river - Development of Tourism Plan and Lead Responsibility installation of signage Council Partner Organisation Jeparit Anglers Club Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Timeframe Museum (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Jeparit Town Committee Ongoing Wimmera Mallee Tourism Association 12 What is the desired community objective? Increased visitor accommodation options in Jeparit

How will we achieve this Link to Council Plan Objective? Well-maintained physical assets and infrastructure - Construct Family type cabins at to meet community and the Caravan Park and carry out improvements to existing cabins organisational needs. - Promotion of Four Mile Beach Campground - Investigate other unique accommodation options e.g.. Mallee Bush retreat Hopetoun Lead Responsibility Council Partner Organisation Four Mile Beach Committee of Timeframe Management (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) DELWP Ongoing Jeparit Town Committee Private business What is the desired community objective? Increased aesthetics of Jeparit’s main streets and public spaces.

Link to Council Plan Well-maintained physical assets and infrastructure How will we achieve this to meet community and Objective? organisational needs. - Revitalisation of main street garden beds. - Tree renewal program - Improvement of streetscapes - Establishment of strategies to encourage owners to clean up and improve premises Lead Responsibility Council Partner Organisation Garden Club Timeframe Primary School (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Jeparit Town Committee Short Business owners

14 What is the desired community objective? Landscape and amenities Improvements to Broadway Park Precinct

Link to Council Plan Well-maintained physical How will we achieve this assets and infrastructure Objective? to meet community and - Signage indicating distance and organisational needs. direction to public toilets - Maintenance to existing Rose Garden Skate Park improvements - Sound dampening - More components to the Skate Park Lead Responsibility Council Partner Organisation Garden Club Timeframe Primary School (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Jeparit Town Committee Short/Medium What is the desired community objective? Improved facilities at the Jeparit Caravan Park/ Wimmera River precinct

Link to Council Plan Well-maintained physical assets and infrastructure How will we achieve this to meet community and Objective? organisational needs. - Construction of a playground . - Improvements to BBQ gazebo/ shelter.

Lead Responsibility Timeframe Jeparit Town Committee (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Short/Medium Partner Organisation Council

16 What is the desired community objective? Establishment of a trades/services roster for Jeparit

Link to Council Plan Well-maintained physical How will we achieve this assets and infrastructure Objective? to meet community and - Liaise with local trade and visiting organisational needs. people to schedule a specific day when they will be available for works in the Jeparit district.

Lead Responsibility Jeparit Town Committee Timeframe (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Partner Organisation Short/Ongoing Trades People Council Competitive and Innovative Economy 2016 - 2019

Community Objectives

18 What is the desired community objective? Establish strategies to create employment and industry development

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this A strong rural economy and thriving towns Objective? - Investigate the feasibility of new intensive primary industries in Jeparit area. e.g. duck growing sheds.

Lead Responsibility Council Timeframe (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Partner Organisation Long/Ongoing Luv-a-Duck Local Farmers What is the desired community objective? Support farming and business enterprises through difficult seasonal conditions such as drought or flood

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this A strong rural economy Objective? and thriving towns - Investigate opportunities to assist farmers and families suffering financial hardship - Lobby government for additional support Lead Responsibility Council Timeframe Partner Organisation (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Wimmera Uniting Care Ongoing Banks Centrelink

20 What is the desired community objective? Development of strategic plans to assist in attraction and retention of new residents.

How will we achieve this Link to Council Plan A strong rural economy Objective? and thriving towns - Promote affordable living and relaxed lifestyle Support local businesses by shopping locally. - Encourage and support establishment of new businesses - Promote Jeparit as an alternative place of residence to new migrants. Lead Responsibility Council Partner Organisation Timeframe Local Businesses (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Local Community Members Long/Ongoing AMES Jeparit Town Committee Luv-a-Duck What is the desired community objective? Increased visitor numbers through better utilisation and promotion of existing natural assets e.g.. Wimmera River/ Lake Hindmarsh and heritage based attractions e.g.. WMPM and Menzies Square

Link to Council Plan How will we achieve this A thriving tourism Objective? industry - Jeparit Open Weekend - Development of master plan for Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum - Continued support of annual Jeparit Fishing Competition Lead Responsibility - Establishment of Hindmarsh Trail/ Council walking paths along the river Partner Organisation - Development of Tourism Plan and Jeparit Anglers Club installation of signage Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum Jeparit Town Committee Timeframe Wimmera Mallee (Short 0-2years, Medium 2-5, Long 5+) Tourism Association Medium/Ongoing

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