Regional priorities

Mallee Summary ’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy 02 Infrastructure Victoria

What is Victoria's Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy?

In 2016, Infrastructure Victoria adding others in response to Victoria’s developed Victoria’s first ever 30-year changing circumstances. But we retain infrastructure strategy. This statewide, a long-term view of Victoria’s infrastructure evidence-based strategy covers all needs over the next 30 years, remembering types of infrastructure and was that infrastructure lasts many decades, developed in consultation with and must meet both immediate needs stakeholders and the community. and those in the future.

To stay relevant and reflect our state’s To review the draft 30-year infrastructure evolving infrastructure needs, the strategy strategy, including all 95 draft is updated every three to five years. recommendations for infrastructure projects, policies and reforms, visit The updated draft 30-year infrastructure infrastructurevictoria.com.au strategy builds on our work, revising many of our original recommendations and

Why do we want to hear from you?

We're updating our strategy to guide Can you: Victoria’s infrastructure planning for the \ Provide feedback on draft next 30 years. recommendations? And you can help shape Victoria’s \ Answer discussion questions infrastructure. Have we got it right for contained in the draft strategy? your community? We want your feedback. \ Provide data or information to support the final strategy? Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy summary 03

How has Infrastructure Victoria listened to regional Victorians?

We’ve committed to building a deeper , and explored recommendations understanding of infrastructure needs which will address them. Our work and impacts in regional Victoria, and has been further shaped by extensive to developing a stronger evidence base consultation and engagement across to make better regional infrastructure Victoria’s regions, which includes a investments. workshop in which brought together stakeholders from: Over the last three years, we have built our knowledge of regional communities, \ Mallee Regional Partnership examined the unique opportunities and \ local and state governments challenges that face each of Victoria’s \ private organisations

Engagement timeline

2017 Oct–Dec 2018 Mar 2019 Apr–Jun 2019 Oct 2019

Regional Consultation: Regional Consultation: Consultation: work program regional Infrastructure targeted workshops inception workshops Needs profiles meetings

2021 2020–21 Dec 2020 Dec–Feb 2019–20 Nov 2019–20

Final Consultation: Draft Consultation: Infrastructure strategy draft strategy strategy submissions Priorities for the process Regions profiles

What do we want to know now?

Our regional research and engagement We want your feedback on our draft \ Are there other cost-effective ways focused on infrastructure-related recommendations, to help us shape to meet the infrastructure needs of opportunities to build on Mallee’s the final strategy. Your input is welcome the Mallee ? economic and industry advantages, on all draft recommendations, not just \ Are there specific areas in Mallee and to strengthen local communities those targeting regional Victoria. The where the draft recommendations by improving health, education and questions include: apply most strongly? social inclusion outcomes. \ Do the draft recommendations work \ Do you have more evidence about This document provides a summary of well together? For example, is the the effectiveness of our draft selected recommendations from the draft balance right between constructing recommendations in meeting their strategy which respond to the needs and new infrastructure and making better objectives? opportunities we identified in Mallee. Our use of existing infrastructure? \ Are there any unintended consequences findings and draft recommendations are \ Do the draft recommendations collectively of the draft recommendations? grouped by key themes identified in the respond to Mallee’s infrastructure-related draft strategy and the outcomes we want challenges and opportunities? to achieve. 04 Infrastructure Victoria

Overview

Bordering the , the The Mallee region includes the traditional Mallee is the only region in Victoria lands of the First Peoples of the - with tri-state access. The main freight Mallee, being , and route from to passes Nyeri Nyeri Traditional Owners, and through the region via Mildura, the the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, major regional city. and Jupagalk peoples.

Agriculture – broadacre cropping and Mildura and are the main regional irrigation – drives the Mallee’s economy, centres. Mildura in particular is a major along with associated processing, centre for jobs and services for the Mallee’s manufacturing and services. The region smaller towns and rural areas. The Mallee benefits from its proximity to the River is one of Victoria’s more remote regions Murray. Water is used for irrigation in and its distance from means agricultural production of citrus, it is not directly influenced by the benefits and nuts, in the tourism and recreation and pressures associated with being industries and provides drinking water adjacent to Melbourne’s peri-urban fringe. for local communities.

The regions of Mallee

Merbein Mildura

Red Cliffs Regional centres Mildura (RC) rulure raare r a rra – are Mlura a a ll drives the Mallee’s economy. the main regional centres.

Swan Hill (RC)

Swan Hill The region benefits from The Mallee region includes its rmy e er the raal las Murray e rs eles of the MlleaMallee e a a a and yer Gannawarra (S) Cohuna yer raal ers Buloke (S) and the alu aaa Rural aaaal eraa and cropping South East uaal eles area area Charlton The Mallee is one of Donald Victoria’s mre reme res Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 05

Mildura

Enhance market access and productivity

What we found Better connect Mallee Sharing borders with South and businesses with processors , the Mallee has a central and markets location between Melbourne, Adelaide Draft regional transport recommendations and Sydney, providing access to domestic to provide funding certainty for road and and export markets via the region’s major rail maintenance and upgrade programs freight routes. Mallee is experiencing a aim to leverage Mallee’s road and rail growing freight task in response to its freight networks to better support the expanding horticulture, grain and mineral needs of the region’s businesses – helping sands industries, and is constrained by the to improve access, connectivity and safety existing freight networks. Maintenance and while also reducing supply chain costs, enhancement of transport infrastructure allowing businesses to remain competitive. will be important for future development The Murray Basin Rail project aims to of these industries, to better connect improve freight routes through the region producers with processors and markets. to Melbourne and regional ports, improving The Murray Basin Rail project is a regional the efficiency and cost of freight transport economic priority, to improve direct across Victoria’s west. The draft strategy transport from the Murray Basin to Victoria’s recommendation to revise the Murray Basin ports and to reduce supply chain costs. Rail project plan seeks to provide certainty Increasing the proportion of freight about future intentions for this important transported by rail would improve the upgrade to the regional freight network. efficiency and safety of the road network. These recommendations will build on With the road network shared between one-off Victorian Government funding large freight vehicles and private use, commitments for road and rail maintenance ongoing maintenance and upgrades announced as part of the Building Works are required to keep all road users safe. stimulus package and the Victorian Budget 2020-21, to deliver longer term funding certainty for freight networks. 06 Infrastructure Victoria

Draft recommendation 77 What we found Leverage digital connectivity The Mallee Digital Plan identifies the lack to improve productivity Deliver funding certainty of availability of adequate, affordable The draft recommendation to continue for regional road maintenance business-grade telecommunications to address regional Victoria's digital and upgrades services for regional businesses as a key connectivity gaps aims to maintain the Within two years, specify clear levels issue for the region, along with poor mobile focus on improving both fixed broadband of service for each type of regional road coverage, a lack of Wi-Fi networks and low and mobile services in the long term. and bridge. Following this, dedicate an take-up of Internet of Things (IoT) Improved connectivity will ensure that ongoing program to fund regional road applications. IoT enables devices more Mallee businesses can take advantage and bridge maintenance and upgrades embedded with sensors to connect to of the opportunities digital technology to meet these service levels. Funding and interact with each other via the internet, provides. Reliable and high-speed internet should be prioritised based on improving collecting information and monitoring data connections can help businesses to operate safety, decreasing vehicle emissions, to help farmers make more informed and compete from any region, placing and lifting economic productivity. decisions. Research suggests that digital businesses in a stronger position to weather agriculture could increase the gross value future crises and explore potential of agricultural production by up to 25%. opportunities created by any longer-term Draft recommendation 78 shift to remote working. IoT network deployment is a priority digital Revise the Murray Basin project for the region, to underpin future Combined with the draft recommendation Rail project plan competitiveness and productivity in the to improve resilience of regional region’s agriculture industries. The Victorian telecommunications infrastructure (see Immediately revise the Murray Basin Rail Government’s On-Farm Internet of Things draft recommendation 86 on page 12), project plan, informed by the project's trial in Birchip is supporting broadacre grain this will help to address Mallee’s digital business case review. farms to be digitally connected, enabling infrastructure and connectivity needs. collection and management of detailed location and plant-specific data across Draft recommendation 79 large areas to help mitigate risk. Trials are Draft recommendation 80 Fund an ongoing rail freight still underway, and Infrastructure Victoria will Continue to address regional maintenance program monitor the evidence being generated. Victoria's digital connectivity gaps Immediately fund an ongoing periodic However, opportunities to improve digital In the next five years, continue delivering regional freight rail maintenance program, coverage and capacity for businesses regional digital connectivity improvements, informed by a publicly available network across the Mallee region remain. Current and review the need for further government asset management plan. levels of digital connectivity constrain businesses from making full use of the investment following the roll-out of the benefits associated with new technologies. Digital Future Now initiative. For Mallee businesses, improvements to digital infrastructure and connectivity could enable productivity gains in farm Please refer to Infrastructure businesses and processing facilities, Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy and meet demands across the health, Please refer to Infrastructure (section 1.4) for statewide education and local government sectors. Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy recommendations to help industries The Victorian Government's Digital (section 1.3) for recommendations stay connected to global markets. Future Now initiative aims to address which embrace technological Mallee connectivity issues by funding opportunities. faster broadband for regional towns and eradicating mobile black spots in populated areas of regional Victoria,in partnership with Government. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 07

Support industry resilience

By the 2030s What we found Draft recommendation 11 The Mallee is a highly productive agricultural Consider all water supply sources and horticultural region. It is one of Victoria’s 1.6ºc major dryland cropping regions. Along its Consider all water sources for supply northern border, the Murray River supports augmentation, including identifying and Average maximum temperatures extensive horticulture and dairy. The Mallee addressing barriers to recycled drinking could increase by up to 1.6°C produces more than 90% of Victoria’s water within the next 10 years. When grapes and nuts, 86% of citrus and 28% planning for future water supply, investigate of grains. all options including, but not limited to, recycled water, seawater desalination, 9% The past decade has been challenging stormwater harvesting and using water for the agriculture industry, with extensive pipelines to move water between regions. Average annual rainfall is periods of drought affecting the region’s projected to decrease by 9% grain production. However, the diversity of Mallee’s agricultural produce is its Draft recommendation 14 key strength. By the 2050s In the longer term, the threat of climate Strengthen agricultural water change is significant for the region. Climate security by modernising irrigation change is likely to increase the incidence During the next 30 years, contribute x2 40ºc and severity of droughts, extreme weather funding toward planning and delivery events and reduce the average rainfall. of irrigation modernisation projects across Could have twice as many days By the 2030s, Mallee’s average maximum regional Victoria. over 40ºC temperatures could increase by up to 1.6ºC, while average annual rainfall is projected to decrease by 9%. By the Draft recommendation 15 50% 2050s, the Mallee could have twice as many days over 40ºC and up to 50% Upgrade Victoria’s Could have up to 50% more more very high fire danger days. emergency water network very high fire danger days The Murray River is a key natural Immediately assess the condition, capacity advantage, but water security will be and security of Victoria’s emergency water increasingly uncertain. A continued focus supply point network, and upgrade or on irrigation infrastructure renewal and replace inadequate supply points. Clarify water efficiency will be needed to ensure ongoing responsibility for maintenance water security into the future. and funding to secure a resilient network.

Improve water security for the agriculture industry

Draft recommendations aim to further Please refer to Infrastructure strengthen water security in the Mallee, Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy by using all sources of water supply, (section 1.2) for additional continuing to modernise irrigation systems recommendations on water and upgrading Victoria’s emergency water and climate. supply network to ensure farmers can get water as rainfalls continue to decline. These recommendations will benefit Mallee’s agriculture and related businesses, helping to support continued industry growth. 08 Infrastructure Victoria

Unlock industry growth opportunities

What we found Remove infrastructure barriers Draft recommendation 2 The Mallee has significant renewable to business investment Augment electricity energy sources, particularly solar. Large Draft renewable energy recommendations transmission for renewable scale solar farms such as Kiamal Solar aim to remove constraints to future industry energy and resilience Farm are being developed in Mildura, development, advocating for solutions Swan Hill and Gannawarra. However, which leverage potential renewable energy Support augmentation of critical electricity future industry development is constrained opportunities in the Mallee. Infrastructure transmission infrastructure by 2027-28 to by existing transmission infrastructure Victoria supports the Australian Energy accommodate new renewable energy which limits generators’ ability to connect Market Operator’s proposed transmission generation and improve network resilience. to the grid. extension of the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, which will In addition, electricity infrastructure has better connect these states and unlock Draft recommendation 3 been identified as a potential constraint the potential of significant renewable energy on business productivity and future growth Identify and coordinate priority resources. The Victorian Government's in the region. Where farms are powered Renewable Energy Zones preferred route, known as KerangLink, through outdated single-wire earth return would significantly increase the ability for power lines, changing industry practices Immediately identify and coordinate the renewable generation to connect in the and more energy intensive farming development of priority Renewable Energy Murray River Renewable Energy Zone. equipment are leading to capacity Zones, especially in the state’s northwest. constraints which limit production and Our draft recommendation to co-fund stop farms from expanding. power supply upgrades responds to Draft recommendation 81 constraints associated with outdated power supply infrastructure and allows Upgrade power supply new investment opportunities for regional infrastructure for agriculture businesses. Where upgrades are shown and regional manufacturing to deliver benefits to existing users and unlock potential future investment, upgrade In the next five years, contribute toward costs can be shared between the Victorian strategic power supply infrastructure Government, power distribution companies upgrades for agriculture and regional and local businesses. manufacturing, where an independent assessment demonstrates significant potential for increased productivity, competitiveness and growth. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 09

What we found Support a recovery Draft recommendation 82 Tourism is an important contributor to the in regional tourism Plan for future investment Mallee’s economy, with tourism expenditure Three draft tourism recommendations, in regional nature-based of over $550 million in 2019. The region’s centred on nature-based and Aboriginal tourism infrastructure tourist offering includes the Murray River, tourism opportunities, aim to support natural attractions such as the Murray- sustainable growth in the region’s tourism In the next five years, develop a Victorian Sunset and Wyperfeld National Parks industry. Development of a nature-based nature-based tourism strategy to guide and , Victoria’s largest salt lake. tourism strategy to guide future investment industry development and prioritise The Mallee region has a strong Indigenous in the region’s tourist infrastructure will help further investments. heritage. Important heritage sites on the ensure that tourism experiences, and land of the First Peoples of the Millewa- supporting facilities and infrastructure, meet Mallee are found in the Hattah-Kulkyne visitor expectations and that the region’s Draft recommendation 83 National Park and the Murray-Sunset natural assets are protected and enhanced. Develop a Victorian National Park. In addition, the region’s Nature-based tourism sites, including Aboriginal tourism strategy gourmet food and wine production national parks, require basic amenities and lends itself to agritourism experiences. infrastructure to encourage investment in Partner with Traditional Owners to develop experiences, food and accommodation Restrictions on movement due to the a Victorian Aboriginal tourism strategy in services. Removal of investment barriers COVID-19 pandemic have significantly the next five years to guide future Aboriginal in national parks will help encourage affected the tourism and hospitality tourism investments, including through investment in tourist facilities and services, industries. As restrictions ease, tourism Joint Management Plans. further adding to the diversity of Mallee’s will have a key role to play in the region’s tourist offering. economic recovery. There are opportunities Draft recommendation 84 to further develop the region’s domestic Co-development of a Victorian Aboriginal tourism offering in the short to medium tourist strategy with Traditional Owners Boost tourism infrastructure term, building on the Mallee’s existing can help further drive sustainable economic by allowing more national parks natural assets and Aboriginal heritage. activity in the Mallee, helping to preserve to grant long leases and promote the region’s Aboriginal cultural Improving access and facilities for tourists histories and heritage sites as well as create Attract investment in Victoria’s regional can enhance the visitor experience and job opportunities for Aboriginal communities. tourism industry by immediately allowing encourage longer stays in the region. more national parks to grant leases of Along the Murray River, for example, Collectively, these recommendations can up to 49 years for infrastructure proposals improved amenities and accommodation build on investments in Mallee’s tourism that meet specific criteria and complement can help develop the Mallee’s nature-based infrastructure announced as part of the environmental and heritage values. tourism offering. Enabling infrastructure Victorian Government’s Building Works would better support the seasonal tourist stimulus package and the Victorian Budget population at Lake Tyrrell, while 2020-21, including funding towards the development of tracks, trails and bike Buloke Town Revival Project, the Murray networks will further expand the range River Adventure Trail, a visitor centre for of activities on offer within the region. Lake Tyrrell and the next stage of the Mildura Riverfront Precinct development. 10 Infrastructure Victoria

What we found Facilitate regional Draft recommendation 28 Victoria can transform its resource and recycling industries Facilitate improved recycling recycling sector to recover up to 90% Infrastructure Victoria’s Advice on Recycling infrastructure for priority materials of our waste with $1 billion of investment and Resource Recovery Infrastructure, in infrastructure from both government released in May 2020, suggested upgrading Immediately focus efforts to increase and and the private sector by 2039. There or building new processing infrastructure upgrade waste processing infrastructure are currently dozens of resource recovery for six priority materials – plastics, paper, on six priority materials. Facilitate increased centres across Victoria, of varying capacity cardboard, glass, organics, tyres and recovery and reprocessing capacity and and capability, that collect materials from e-waste – would create over 5000 new jobs capability for paper and card, plastics and their local areas for transport and further and create high quality, recycled products organics by 2025. Revisit funding recovery. There is an opportunity to support for use in major infrastructure projects, mechanisms and align recycling a resource recovery centre network with manufacturing and agriculture. Regional infrastructure with land use planning. facilities that are more strategically located Victoria stands to benefit most from and better resourced – so that the costs significantly increased processing capacity, of transporting materials are reduced and with the Advice recommending 52 out of Draft recommendation 29 materials, such as compost, can be 87 new or upgraded facilities be located Strengthen end markets made closer to their end users, such outside of metropolitan Melbourne. as agriculture. for recycled materials The additional recycling and resource Immediately accelerate market development The supply of recyclable materials has recovery infrastructure that is likely to for recycled materials by updating standards not been matched by demand for them. be needed in the Mallee region includes and specifications, and explicitly require More reliable markets for priority materials plastic processing plants, glass sand or the Victorian public sector to use recycled – recyclable glass, plastic, paper and aggregate plants and organic composting products where feasible. In the next five card, organics, tyres and e-waste – facilities. By processing materials from years, support research, development and would support economic development, both Melbourne and local areas, regional demonstrations to build confidence and help address the stockpiling of recovered Victoria can provide products, such as demand for recycled products. materials, and reduce Victoria’s reliance compost for agriculture, closer to end on landfill. Markets for these materials users, reducing transport costs and vary greatly, presenting different challenges creating new jobs and services. for each material. Ongoing research and development can help to identify new potential uses for recycled materials, either Please refer to Infrastructure as direct substitutes for virgin materials or Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy new uses. (section 1.5) for additional recommendations on recycling and building a circular economy. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 11

Connect the regions to help strengthen wellbeing

What we found

Mallee residents are highly dependent on Local Transport project, funded by the commitments, providing long-term cars to get around. Less than 1% of the Victorian Government’s Flexible Local certainty to local communities. region’s workforce travel to work by public Transport Solutions Program, provides The Victorian Government is improving transport, and access to public transport community bus services and information service quality and capacity between across the region is very low – including in on community and public transport options Melbourne and Swan Hill under the Regional Mildura where 53% of residents live within in Buloke, Gannawarra and Swan Hill. Network Development Plan, which aims ready access of public transport compared However, community transport solutions to deliver five services every weekday. to a Victorian average of 74%. Public rely on volunteers, and funds are limited. transport access among Buloke shire Timely and reliable access to transport residents falls to just 7%. Draft recommendation 85 is essential for residents in the Mallee’s Stakeholders have highlighted a range rural and semi-rural communities to Reform regional public of transport issues within the region, access the services they need and to transport to meet local needs affecting residents’ ability to access work, foster social inclusion among older and healthcare, education and services which more vulnerable residents. In the next five years, gradually redirect are increasingly focused in larger centres. some regional transport funding to These include: re-designed, integrated local transport Enable viable transport services, based on regional needs \ Limited public transport and poor options across Mallee assessments, and incorporating flexible timetabling within Mildura, and from Our draft recommendation to reform public services that meet local needs. surrounding areas into regional centres. transport focuses on improving transport \ A lack of public transport infrastructure options within the Mallee region. It seeks to between townships. develop solutions which integrate traditional \ Limited frequency of the regional train public transport with more innovative, and coach network to and flexible transport options (such as Melbourne, particularly affecting residents community transport, on-demand services Please refer to Infrastructure needing to travel to Bendigo Hospital and the school bus network) to deliver Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy for healthcare services. services which respond to community (section 4.3) for Infrastructure Victoria’s position on Very Fast Community transport provides an needs. It advocates ongoing funding for Rail for the regions. alternative to public transport within the regional transport, moving away from region. For example, the Mallee Flexible short-term trials to lasting transport 12 Infrastructure Victoria

Households without What we found internet access Household internet access rates are low The draft recommendation to provide better across the Mallee, due to inequity in digital internet access in Mallee’s libraries aims to infrastructure, service quality and cost. improve access for those who have no One in four Mallee households do not have internet at home, leveraging the existing internet access, almost double the Victorian infrastructure, expertise and support The COVID-19 pandemic average of one in seven. The COVID-19 available within the library network. In the has increased the need for pandemic has increased the need for absence of public Wi-Fi networks, libraries internet access, highlighting internet access, highlighting the deficiencies can provide an alternative. They also the deficiencies of current of current levels of connectivity across the provide support for digital literacy skills levels of connectivity across Mallee. Families and young people without development. the Mallee region internet at home have experienced barriers to remote learning and home working. Draft recommendation 86 Poor digital access has made it difficult for some to connect with services and Improve resilience of regional support, increasing social isolation. 1 in 4 telecommunications infrastructure Mobile coverage is also an issue across the One in four Mallee In the next 10 years, develop more resilient region. The Mallee Digital Plan highlights a households do not regional telecommunications infrastructure persistent divide in the quality of mobile have internet access so communities can stay safe during services available to regional users emergencies, including greater network compared to Melbourne, with 195 mobile redundancy and back-up power supply. black spots registered across the region. Poor mobile quality and coverage have 1 in 7 implications for public safety, affecting Draft recommendation 87 emergency services and the ability of In comparison, one in seven residents to access critical information Fund regional libraries to provide Victorian households do not in times of need. better internet access have internet access Immediately provide funding for regional Continue to bridge and rural libraries to improve community the Mallee’s digital divide access to fast, free internet services, leveraging existing library infrastructure. Draft strategy recommendations aim to improve the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure, to help ensure that Mallee residents can remain connected in times of emergency. A comprehensive approach is needed across fixed, mobile and Wi-Fi networks to ensure more resilient communications. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 13

Foster regional Victorians' health, safety and inclusion

Across the region Aboriginal Community What we found Draft recommendation 21 Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) play a Disadvantage is an important consideration central role in the provision of services and in the Mallee region. Mallee Regional Use innovation to deliver the promotion and protection of Aboriginal Partnership’s Addressing Entrenched better models of healthcare people’s rights. The Mallee’s Aboriginal Disadvantage project highlights pockets Within five years, help slow the growth population is projected to growth 30% of socio-economic disadvantage across in demand for hospital infrastructure by between 2018 and 2028, which could the region, with interdependent factors funding a comprehensive statewide health lead to additional demand for Aboriginal including relatively high rates of preventable innovation strategy to promote better and other services in the region. The health issues, particularly related to alcohol, models of healthcare. combination of increasing client numbers drug use and obesity. and inadequate infrastructure is restricting Except for Mildura, the region has relatively the ability of ACCOs to provide timely and Draft recommendation 88 high rates of preventable hospitalisation, effective service delivery across the region. suggesting that primary health provision is Use rural schools for children’s not readily available or accessible to some Improve health outcomes specialist and allied telehealth Mallee residents. Like many other regional services areas, the Mallee has challenges in for Mallee residents Retrofit or better use selected rural attracting and retaining a skilled health Draft recommendations aim collectively school infrastructure for children’s workforce to the region. Centralisation of to improve access to health services for specialist and allied telehealth health care services from rural areas to Mallee residents. Our recommendations services to improve children’s health regional centres means that fewer services to use innovation in healthcare delivery and development, following a trial are locally available for declining rural seek to expand the use of technology in Southern Mallee. populations, and there is limited public in service provision, to better connect transport to provide access to services. regional communities with specialist health services. We recommend leveraging school The region has above average numbers Draft recommendation 72 infrastructure to support paediatric and of mental health clients, as well as those allied telehealth service delivery, to improve receiving drug and alcohol treatment. Co-design an Aboriginal health and development outcomes for Mildura has double the Victorian average Community-Controlled children and young people. A plan for future of registered mental health clients and Infrastructure Plan investment in Aboriginal community- persons receiving drug and alcohol Immediately commence a co-design controlled infrastructure aims to respond to treatment services, while Gannawarra process to develop a plan to guide the current and future infrastructure needs Shire has extremely high rates of drug investment in Aboriginal community- of the Mallee’s Aboriginal community. and alcohol treatment – more than four controlled infrastructure to meet current and times the state average. However, access Draft recommendations for provision of future social, economic and cultural needs. to local support services is limited. There are residential rehabilitation facilities in the no residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation Mallee and improved access to mental facilities in the region, for example, and health facilities aim to respond to gaps in many people need to leave the area to local service availability and provision. access the services they need. The Mallee’s This will complement Victorian Government geographical remoteness mean local investment to expand the Hospital Outreach provision of treatment services is needed Post-Suicidal Engagement program to to support improved health outcomes. Mildura as part of the Victorian Budget 2020-21. Stakeholders report that COVID-19 has exacerbated existing mental health issues in the regions. Vulnerable groups include Aboriginal Elders, older community members who are socially isolated, those experiencing family violence and agricultural workers who are already affected by drought. 14 Infrastructure Victoria

\ Areas of relative socio-economic Draft recommendation 75 Draft recommendation 89 disadvantage such as Buloke shire, Deliver infrastructure for a the tenth most disadvantaged local Deliver multipurpose shared social better mental health system government area in Victoria, with a higher service facilities in the regions per capita need for a range of health and Immediately establish a dedicated Immediately undertake collaborative community services. infrastructure fund to support a better inter-agency planning for regional social \ As regional centres for relatively remote mental health system, building on the services to identify opportunities for communities, it is important that Mildura recommendations of the Royal Commission multipurpose shared facilities, then deliver and Swan Hill provide a range of services into Victoria's Mental Health System. them where appropriate in partnership to the wider region, and that these are with local governments and community accessible to all. organisations. Draft recommendation 92 The impact of climate change adds further complexity to the challenges facing local Build regional residential alcohol governments and communities. Already Draft recommendation 90 and drug rehabilitation facilities one of the hottest regions in the state, the Support regional councils to Within five years, build residential Mallee is further exposed to the impacts update, repurpose and retire detoxification and rehabilitation facilities of climate change with even higher outdated community infrastructure in the Mallee to provide equitable access temperatures, more days of extreme heat, to alcohol and other drug treatment. and declining rainfall forecast. As well as Fund rural and regional councils in the next increasing the incidence of extreme heat five years to update, repurpose and retire and heatwaves, climate change is outdated community infrastructure increasing the frequency of conditions for better service delivery. for catastrophic bushfires.

Please refer to Infrastructure Draft recommendation 91 Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy Make better use of (section 3.3) for recommendations community infrastructure Create climate-adapted on aligning social infrastructure facilities for rural communities Draft recommendations for better use of with better service delivery. community facilities aim to support regions In the next five years, fund local and local governments in providing fit for governments to plan and help deliver purpose social infrastructure which can a network of designated, accessible respond to local needs. Service planning can climate-adapted community facilities, help identify gaps in existing infrastructure, or to manage the health impacts of extreme opportunities for shared facilities, supported heat and bushfire smoke. by funding to retrofit, repurpose or retire existing community facilities. Integrating What we found Draft recommendation 59 transport planning within planning for service Demographic changes, such as an ageing delivery will ensure that essential services can Build back better after emergencies population, are affecting the scope and mix be accessed by all those who need them. of services councils need to provide. The In the next year, consider policy changes and Our draft recommendation to create Mallee faces various challenges in ensuring funding mechanisms so high-priority public climate-adapted facilities for rural that residents have access to the services infrastructure destroyed by emergencies is communities aims to support local that they need, including: built to a more resilient standard or in less governments to deliver a network of facilities vulnerable locations. \ Smaller rural councils such as Buloke which can help reduce the health impacts of and Gannawarra shires, with a small (and exposure to heat, and prolonged smoke from declining) ratepayer base which is further bushfires. Combined with the draft constrained by below average incomes, recommendation to build back better after face complexities in continuing to provide emergencies, this aims to build community services over a relatively dispersed area. resilience to the impacts of climate change. Please refer to Infrastructure Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy (section 2.4) for more recommendations on adapting infrastructure for modern needs. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Mallee summary 15

a significant impact on energy costs. What we found Draft recommendation 57 This has a negative effect on the cost of The Mallee region has relatively high, living, resulting in many residents avoiding and increasing, levels of socio-economic Rapidly renew old public housing using air-conditioning in order to reduce disadvantage compared with Victorian Rapidly renew dilapidated public housing energy costs. This can affect the health averages. Additional drivers of demand properties, with a priority to renew at least of vulnerable residents, particularly infants, for social housing in the region include half of all older low-rise apartments and older the elderly or persons with a disability. homelessness and family violence. Mallee three-bedroom detached dwellings by 2031. has an estimated 3.2 homeless per 1000 people, the second highest rate in regional Enhance access to affordable, Victoria. The region has the highest per fit for purpose housing Draft recommendation 94 capita rate of family violence in Victoria. The draft recommendation to make social Expand social housing in Although Mildura and Swan Hill have housing suitable for changing climates, regional centres, in locations relatively high levels of social housing prioritising the Mallee region, responds to with good access when compared with Victorian averages, the need for adequate heating and cooling Focus social housing investments in regional access to affordable housing remains an in the region’s social housing and builds on centres, near access to transport and issue. One in three rental households in recent Victorian Government funding services, to contribute to a target of 4.5 Mildura experience rental stress, and commitments for energy efficiency social housing dwellings for every 100 stakeholders have raised concerns about upgrades in social housing properties. As Victorian households by 2031. the poor quality of existing housing stock. well as installing split system air-conditioning Mallee Regional Partnership’s Addressing to better regulate temperatures in the Entrenched Disadvantage project focused home, solar panels are recommended Draft recommendation 95 on the need to improve the availability of to allow low-income residents to offset appropriate housing in the region. This work additional energy costs during extreme Make social housing suitable found that the private rental market is tight. temperatures. for changing local climates Cheaper housing options are often poorly Collectively, our housing recommendations heated or cooled and may be far from Prioritising northern Victoria, continue to aim to improve Mallee residents’ access required services. It highlighted the need deliver a long-term program of modifying to affordable and fit for purpose housing, for improved social housing, in locations social housing to be climate-resilient by ensuring a long term focus on provisioning which are accessible for work, healthcare, improving the energy efficiency and energy of social housing following the roll out of education and services. affordability of residences. the Victorian Government's four-year Big Even where heating and cooling is available, Housing Build program.. the region’s extreme temperatures have

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