Imagining Camperdown

Community priorities for township development 2013 to 2023

Prepared for the community of Camperdown with the assistance of Corangamite Shire’s Building Stronger Corangamite Communities project – a partnership between the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Corangamite Shire to support communities to plan and implement improvements to their towns.

January 2013

OVERVIEW CONTENTS

Imagining Camperdown is a plan to guide action which contributes Overview to the liveability and future prosperity of Camperdown. It outlines a The making of Camperdown set of related economic, social and environmental initiatives which A town in time are seen as critical to the town’s future, to be implemented over Demographics the next ten years. The planning process This plan encourages those bound up in the issues of the day to The Soapbox look beyond what is to what could be. It offers a vision for The Survey Camperdown drawn from those aspects of Camperdown most Public meeting valued by the local community. Identifying assets

Initial projects include better tourism services and information Issues and themes (and a new tourism strategy), the restoration of the Camperdown Vision Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, Streetscape and crossing safety Priority objectives improvements, the Camperdown Playspace and an Arts hub/ Summary of projects Gallery/ Performance space. Projects relating to other top Implementation process priorities will be taken up earlier or later, depending on the active Review involvement of community members. References Recommendations and priorities have been identified through a community survey and two public meetings. The plan also draws on This is the sixth plan to be Appendices the work of many individuals and community organisations. developed as part of the Building Survey instrument Further public forums are foreshadowed to develop the scope of Stronger Corangamite Ranking of issues and projects listed projects. This is to form part of a continuous planning process Communities project, which aims Summary of survey responses which will create further opportunities for involvement and to produce a plan for each of Detailed survey and voting results partnership formation. Corangamite Shire’s 12 towns. It

The community planning process unearthed 231 ideas for reviews previous investigations Camperdown, ranging across ten broad themes: Tourism into Camperdown’s social and development; Town promotion; Town amenity and appearance; economic concerns and gives Roads, pedestrians and safety; Recreation and sport; Provision of expression to current issues and services; Environmental initiatives; Arts and cultural development; shared aspirations across the Business, industry and economic development; and an ‘Other’ local community. Many of these category. Unlike other town plans, most of the key priorities call for are long-standing and little the creation of Community/ Council partnerships. changed.

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THE MAKING OF CAMPERDOWN

The making of the township of Camperdown began with the arrival of squatters and pastoralists in 1839, a period well- documented in Margaret Kiddle’s social history of the Western District of Victoria from 1834 to 1890, Men of Yesterday. From a town of 415 people in 1861, Camperdown had a recorded population of 1,627 by 1891. The railway had arrived in 1883, and the town continued to thrive on the export of its rich agricultural production through the depression years of the 1890’s, reaching a population of 3,473 in 1911. It was during this period that many of Camperdown’s grand buildings and fine homes were constructed and the town’s reputation for prosperity established. The Great War took Changing agricultural the Bonlac factory and the town’s town’s declining socioeconomic its toll in many ways, and the technologies and less intensive two clothing manufacturing profile, as did the relocation of town’s population declined over farming practices brought in a enterprises, and this was people in crisis to cheaper rental the next 20 years, bottoming at trend of reduced labour inputs compounded by deep cuts to housing in Camperdown. Twenty- 3029 in 1933. Camperdown was (Kennelly, 2005) and youth out- government services and five per cent of Camperdown’s on a growth path after the World migration (Geldens, 2007), employment by the Kennett population is now classified as War II, with its population peaking eroding township population. government. Loss of employment disadvantaged (ABS, 2011). at 3596 in 1976. Grim years followed in the 1990’s opportunities and an ageing with the closure of the abattoirs, population contributed to the

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CAMPERDOWN CHRONOLOGY

1836 Major Mitchell departs 1991 Camperdown Abattoirs close Sydney to explore western area 1993 Bonlac Factory closed of the Port Phillip Bay District 1993 Closure of Country Road 1837 Explorers Gellibrand and Clothing factory Hesse lost in the Otway Forest 1994 Camperdown becomes centre 1838 Henty’s establish ‘squat’ in of new Corangamite Shire the Portland Bay District 2004 Safeway Supermarket opens 1839 Manifold brothers relocate 2007 Natural gas arrives from Point Henry to Purrumbete 2007 Camperdown Hospital opens 1840 Early settlement established new operating Theatre at old Timboon site 2009 New Sports Stadium opens 1850 State of Victoria formed 2012 Camperdown Cheese

1851 Victorian ‘Gold rush’ begins Manifold Street Camperdown circa 1890 Company commences operations 1851 Original Timboon Source: www.camperdownhistory.org.au at old Factory site settlement relocated to higher 2012 Opening of new Shire offices ground 1883 Railway arrives 1909 Electric lighting turned on 1852 New town site surveyed 1885 Shire Hall erected in Camperdown There are many, many events 1854 Camperdown named by 1886 Courthouse erected 1909 Post Office Arts and Crafts which could be added to this Governor Charles La Trobe Camperdown State School No 114 extension built chronology, including any number 1857 Hampden Roads District built 1912 Camperdown Hospital of external factors which shaped established 1890 Mechanics Institute built built Camperdown’s development. 1860 Land sale in Camperdown 1891 Co-operative Butter Factory 1917 ‘Heroes Day’ celebrated This one is intended as a key to advertised in Launceston established 1927 Theatre Royal built reading the town as it is today. 1863 Post and Telegraph office 1895 East and west ridings of Shire 1952 Borough of Camperdown Those who would wish to argue the constructed of Hampden ceded to form excised from Hampden Shire case for including other events are 1869 Botanic Gardens and Heytesbury Shire 1953 Camperdown Swimming most welcome to add to or Arboretum reserved 1897 Clocktower erected Pool opens subtract from this spare list. 1869 Masonic Lodge erected 1902 Leura Hotel constructed 1876 Finlay Avenue planted

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There are many stories contributing to the imagining of The past is indeed a foreign land that does not bear judgment by the Camperdown, but three must be mentioned to appreciate the present, yet distant deeds have left their mark. The Constitution of town’s history, in turn tragic, triumphant and troubling. the Commonwealth of Australia (1900) specifically disallowed the counting of aborigines among the population (so as to limit the influence of Western Australia and Queensland in the new parliament), meaning that aboriginal people were reduced to the status of ‘wildlife’. (Aborigines existed under the Flora and Fauna Act, and although from 1945 they could vote in federal elections, their constitutional position did not change until the 1967 referendum.)

‘As the squatters moved from illegal occupation to possession through the nineteenth century ‘land wars’, their properties metamorphosed from slab huts into substantial and sometimes grand homesteads.’ (Edquist, 2008, p75)

If one is fortunate to enter the great ‘living hall’ of Purrumbete, one will be taken by Guyon Purchas’ remaking of the homestead in the Arts and Crafts style (completed in 1901). From the Prenzel carvings of the Minstrel Gallery the eye is drawn to the six large historic Art Nouveau panels painted by Walter Withers (completed in 1902), which were commissioned by William Manifold as a mural to record the highlights of his family’s proud pioneering heritage. One panel, ‘Shooting the blacks’, depicts stick meeting gun in the Stony Rises. It still shocks.

Dispossession, disease, starvation and murder took a disastrous toll on the uncounted aboriginal population. Within 43 years all were dead except for a small number forcibly concentrated at the Framlingham Mission (Critchett, 1994).

James Dawson’s monument to Camperdown’s ‘last aborigine’ Wombeetch Puyuum (‘Camperdown George’) and his Djargurd Wurrung people, all dead and gone by 1883. Source: www.monumentaustralia.org.au

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A letter from ‘Vera’ at Camperdown, July 1895

For the present I have quitted the showers and mists of Melbourne Most of the Camperdown station homesteads are beautifully for the fogs and frosts of Camperdown, the prettiest of inland situated on lake shores, and surrounded by gardens remarkable for Victorian towns. The dwellings in this picturesque sleepy hollow are, fertility and luxuriance of growth. Mignonette and primroses spring as a rule, substantial and old fashioned, the gardens flowery, and the up like weeds. Camellias and hollies grow into stately trees, surrounding country green and fertile; but it is the number and chrysanthemums linger late into the winter, and roses bloom until beauty of the lakes in the vicinity that make Camperdown scenery so daphnes are ready to take their places. In summer raspberries are a unlike that of the ordinary country town. Go where you will in this drug in the market, as indeed are many other local products. neighbourhood your eyes are delighted by the sight of lakes, one Walnuts are ridiculously cheap, fresh milk costs sixpence per gallon, more picturesque than another, and all retaining the musical native while skim milk can be had for the asking at the local batter factory. names conferred by the dead and gone aboriginal inhabitants of Young fowls ready for killing are sold for sixpence each, potatoes are these parts. Purrumbete, Elingamite, Corangamite, Gnotuk, Wiridgil 15s. per ton and other things equally reasonable. Besides the butter and many another crystal plain can be seen from the top of Mount factory Camperdown boasts a rabbit canning establishment, not an Leura, an extinct crater, whence comes the useful scoria which keeps imposing building, though everyone within its walls seems Camperdown clean and dry underfoot. Governor Hopetoun was so desperately busy. The skinning is done at night, 3000 bunnies being enchanted with the beauty of this district that he deserted regarded as each man's fair share of work. By four o'clock in the Government Cottage at Mount Macedon to the dismay of property morning everything is ready for the preservers who start by scalding holders thereabouts, and spent his last Australian summer in these the rabbits whole preparatory to cutting them up into neat joints, regions. Besides the beauty of his Camperdown surroundings, the packing them in tins, and turning them into a huge vat for final departed chieftain was no doubt influenced by the fact that here his cooking. When Lord Hopetoun left this district Camperdown was neighbours wealthy station owners and monarchs of all they survey polo-mad, but so far as the townsfolk were concerned the mania hereabouts left him cheerfully to his own devices, though able and was too expensive to be long-lived. Relays of tip-top ponies are only willing to indulge him in field sports to his heart's content when he for those who have inherited the earth, and local citizens for the felt so inclined. At Macedon, on the contrary, the population does or most part now leave polo to the squatter princes of the did consist chiefly of city society folk, ostentatious and conventional neighbourhood and content themselves with hockey or shinty, a in their expensive summer quarters, and anxious to turn their annual game played with a ball and sticks and not unlike polo with the outlay to account by sedulous cultivation of the Government House ponies left out. party. ‘Melbourne Gossip’ – a letter from ‘Vera’, The Capricornian, Rockhampton, Queensland, Saturday 6 July 1895, page 6 Source: Australian newspapers online, at www.trove.nla.gov.au

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A TOWN IN TIME

Camperdown was one of six small Two issues arose directly out of Towns in time reported that Victorian towns chosen for close the local government Camperdown faces some thorny study in a Department of amalgamations in the early social issues which require Sustainability and Environment 1990’s, and they still hold innovative thinking. The loss of (1988) project through La Trobe relevance to Community / Shire young people to pursue education University, along with Ouyen, relationships. These are the loss and work opportunities undercuts Murtoa, Stanhope, Beechworth of local leadership and many endeavors, and the losses and Swifts Creek. Each town was representation felt by associated with the increasing selected on the basis of typifying Camperdown residents as the Ideas for town development incidence of professionals who different kinds of towns, and much larger Corangamite Shire captured in the study were work but do not reside locally Camperdown was chosen for its necessarily had to concern itself connection to natural gas to make undermines the development of public and private services base. with broader strategic issues and viable the redevelopment of the community capacity. The town The study was updated in 2005, spreading of limited resources. old Bonlac factory, and the also needs to find ways of and together these two pieces of The study found that ‘community realisation of Camperdown’s supporting that part of its work provide a detailed insight identity’ continued to be tourism potential based on its population determined to be into town development issues and associated with the towns of the natural assets, historical features disadvantaged. Low-income the social and community impacts Shire – not the expansive Shire. and boutique shopping. individuals and particularly of significant events on the town’s The study also reported on local families characterised by lower prosperity, including change in government’s problem with State Despite Camperdown’s severe educational attainment, high local governance. and federal government cost- economic setbacks, the main levels of unemployment, unskilled shifting, with local governments narrative to emerge from the occupations and dwellings The Towns in time study includes loath to take federal and State Towns in time study is essentially without motor vehicles are in a summary of demographic data, money to create new facilities positive. Population change is need of opportunities for but its findings were also and services because they are recognised as only a (small) part engagement, participation and grounded in interviews with then stuck with the cost of of the story, with ‘a town’s self- inclusion. It is important to note residents, business operators, maintaining them. The outcome is image [being] an important factor that that this is not only about community groups and local and described as follows: contributing to resilience, viability income. Citing Cummins et al State government ‘This causes resentment in and sustainability’. Eighteen key (2005), Towns in time makes the representatives. Many of the communities who want to findings are outlined which are point that ‘The highest level of issues raised and ideas advanced develop facilities and services but worthy of re-reading, as well as a personal well-being is achieved by resonate strongly with the find local government unwilling or summary highlighting how local people who live in rural towns.’ Camperdown community unable to support their projects.’ government holds the key to the planning findings. future of small towns.

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In 1851 Surveyor Robert Duncan Reckless mention of the value of Scott noted the remarkable John Greensheilds statue of natural beauty of Camperdown, Robbie Burns brought down a as did the anonymous ‘Vera’ in blunt instrument upon it in the her 1895 description of the night. Young trees forming the developing township. new Tilia avenue in McNicol Camperdown’s flowering through Street were snapped in the night the late 19th and early 20th on the day they were formatively century – the ‘enchanting aspect’ pruned. Heritage buildings have of the village remarked upon by been lost to flames and public English novelist Anthony Trollope facilities trashed – again in the on his 1937 visit – owes much to dark. Those whose heart skips a the wealth, ambition and beat when they look up to the cultivated taste of the squatter French Gothic detail of the barons and early pastoralists. Michael McCabe’s copper- The town’s physical fabric and turreted Late Victorian Medieval

character was shaped (at least in Revival clocktower saw the holes CULTURAL THREADS part) by the work they created for in the glass from rocks thrown

accomplished architects and from the street. Those who catch Through a distance of over a century one can follow the cultural artists, and by the endowments their breath when the light falls threads that make up the physical and social fabric of Camperdown, which transmuted private wealth on the exquisite stained glass of with its enduring preoccupations in farming, manufacturing, sport, into public realm. There are many St Paul’s Anglican Church, or who horses, gardening, commerce and politics. The story of Camperdown ways to cause hurt – blindly, swoon upon entering a favourite as a ‘town in time’ also invites comparisons with Ronald Blythe’s tough indifferently, maliciously, and Warburton Perry Knights and tender portrait of the English village ‘Akenfield’. To make a place ignorantly. Unfortunately, like the Federation drawing room, or who and find shelter from the headwinds of economic transition remains a ‘eternal note of sadness’ heard by quietly marvel at Paul Montford’s struggle for some, delivering mixed fortunes to those that make their Mathew Arnold on ‘Dover Beach’, 1929 ‘Spirit of Empire’ memorial, home in Camperdown. That some are found to be at a disadvantage in vandalism in Camperdown is as know that it is best not to make the SEIFA calculus presents the township with a serious community old as the town itself. This plays mention or draw attention to development challenge. What can be done to include, encourage, give as an angry chord with these who these treasures. hope and empower those at the margins to find a way to improve their love their town passionately. circumstances?

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DEMOGRAPHICS The structure of Camperdown’s Recent changes in ABS statistical aged population does not follow methodology and reporting make the distinct pattern of the State as for difficulty in answering simple a whole. For example, the questions about change in the percentage of the population in population of towns and the 70-74 age group is double the localities, and this is especially Victorian average. This suggests true of Camperdown with the that variable factors of inward 2011 Census. Whereas the and outward migration might be Camperdown Urban Area count in at play. 2006 was 3,165, in 2011 it is

2,938 – the ‘reduction’ all down Other key features of to new boundaries. The ABS A key feature of Camperdown’s and education opportunity. Camperdown’s population are reports the Camperdown State demographic story is its age While the birth rate is slightly directly linked to its age profile. Suburb count in 2011 as 3,462, profile, with a higher proportion above the State average, there is For example, the higher compared with 3541 in 2006, but of older people making up the some recent evidence that proportion of older people means this is problematic as it includes a population due an exodus of Camperdown has begun losing that the number of persons large rural area as well as the people in their twenties following families with young children. receiving the aged pension is township proper. This ‘State the pied pipers of employment substantially higher, and this Suburb’ area measure is used in flows into the household income Community Profile reporting for measures. Camperdown has local government by Informed comparatively low levels of Decisions P/L, yet it reports household income compared to Camperdown’s population as the Victorian average – some 13% 3,306 in 2011 compared to 3,415. lower. Similarly, less than 30% of The company advises that the Camperdown’s population population of Camperdown is completed Year 12 compared to roughly the same across the last the Victorian Average of 50% two Censuses, (contrary to its As mentioned previously 25% of prediction of growth), the the population is classified as ‘reduction’ being due to a more ‘disadvantaged’ in terms of the accurate method of calculating SEIFA index. The aged population the ABS Estimated Residential profile contributes to all these Population. differences.

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Census data on industry and employment show Camperdown as markedly different to the Victorian average. Health care and social services represents the biggest industry sector, followed by retailing, then agriculture and manufacturing. Whereas health care and retail are significantly over-represented in comparison to the State average, the most The Great South Coast Medicare dramatic variation is the high level Local group produced the first of employment in agricultural stage of its After Hours Care

industries. The biggest gap for Needs Assessment report in 2012, Camperdown compared to the highlighting the levels of rest of the State is the absence of disadvantage across Corangamite professionals, which has been Shire and key towns. They remarked upon elsewhere. Along reported on a number of Health with the under-represented and Indicators alongside measures of related financial and insurance disadvantage associated with sector, it provides part of the them, but more seriously explanation for the lower-income identified a number of local and lower educational attainment factors affecting health. The trends in the town. Vocational population of Camperdown and training qualifications have Corangamite Shire as a whole has increased substantially over the some urgent matters to address last inter-census period, reducing in regard to the relatively poor the proportion of people health outcomes of local reporting no post-school residents. educational qualifications.

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THE PLANNING PROCESS Whereas the Town Survey The Building Stronger The creation of community plans achieved a broad sample of Corangamite Communities project is designed to build capacity opinion across age and gender, it sets out to develop community within local communities. The was apparent at both the plans for the Shire’s 12 townships. process design relies on making Soapbox and Public Meeting These are plans developed by best use of deep local knowledge, events that younger people were each local community, for the talents and skills to scope and under-represented. Speculation community, and owned by the implement local projects, and as made by members of a number of local community. necessary, to identify active community groups includes opportunities to access funding The Camperdown community the observation that for whatever The project manages and and other resources to implement planning process presented some reason, some people are not very facilitates an inclusive process priority projects. This includes the challenges given historic attitudes interested in being involved with that helps communities identify establishment of relationships to and relationships with local meetings and committees. It has local priorities, set short, medium within and beyond communities government reported earlier, and been demonstrated that some and long term goals and work and working with the Council on the recognised lack of any broadly community-minded people prefer with the Corangamite Shire an ongoing basis. representative group to act as a to be involved in working-bees Council and other levels of major sponsor of the initiative. and direct action around specific government to achieve them. There is no one planning model – A partnership was formed with projects rather than discussions It provides structure, support, the project is experimental and the local newspaper in an effort and planning of their form and advice and administrative communities will shape their own to create interest and establish implementation. For this reason, assistance to communities so that process – however each plan will confidence in the process. and due to the comparatively they can come to a consensus observe some fundamental lower level of participation about what they value most principles. They will be inclusive The Town Survey opened on 20 experienced in larger about where they live and to work of as many voices in the August 2012, supported by a communities it was decided to towards their preferred future. community as possible and seek media launch of the project by explore a more continuous to reflect local demographics, and WD News, and continued through planning cycle in place of the As well as steering the transparent in the way priorities the period of municipal elections stepped Plan/ Implement/ Review development of local public are identified and decided upon. to close on 15 October. process. This gave rise to the assets, events and services, plans concept of a rolling cycle of made by communities also serve A ‘soapbox’ event was conducted ‘community conversations’ on key as a decision tool for Corangamite on 18 September, and a Public priorities, to provide opportunity Council to better meet local needs Meeting held on 30 October 2012 for focused engagement and and aspirations. following the declaration of polls. future involvement.

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THE SOAPBOX

Forty-six people attended the Camperdown Soapbox event at the As noted previously, alongside the Theatre Royal on Tuesday 18 September 2012, almost half of whom ‘project outcomes’ of community stepped up to present their ideas on ‘What Camperdown needs’. planning there are ‘process Those who had previously registered their interest spoke first. outcomes’. This is where the very activity of planning produces The format of the evening involved a brief outline of the community community strengthening planning process in train, followed by an invitation for individuals to outcomes. come forward and speak for between three and 5 minutes on any of The Soapbox was a first for the the questions outlined in the town survey. At the conclusion of the Whereas Advance Camperdown Building Stronger Corangamite meeting there was a general question and answer session, with both has struggled on the edge of Communities project, and was questions and answers offered by members present. existence in recent years with low designed to generate discussion membership and limited support and interest to build the number Ideas ranged from the broad and strategic (tourism infrastructure, for the few individuals keeping it of completed surveys returned. retirement accommodation, co-location of town facilities, the future of going from one crisis AGM to Council received praise from Advance Camperdown, town promotion) to the specific and another, the Soapbox meeting several speakers for initiating the operational (installation of plaques, conduct of town events, road resulted in pleas by current and conversation about the future of crossings and barriers, town beautification, streetscape upgrade, use former community leaders to get Camperdown, with some of vacant land/buildings). behind the push to reinvigorate suggesting that such Advance Camperdown. The conversations should be ongoing. Although it carried the risk of providing a platform for critics of Council, importance of having a broadly- Most participants stayed on after the Soapbox format attracted a range of positive ideas on key topics. representative incorporated town the Soapbox to continue the Whereas a few people took the opportunity to voice negative organisation to hold funds and to discussion. A report on the sentiments and general criticisms about the town, its citizens and the support and facilitate community Soapbox meeting was published Council, these were generally not appreciated, and audience members endeavors has been accepted. in the Camperdown Chronicle as took the opportunity to contest some of the wilder statements. At the time of writing Advance part of the partnership with WD As planned, the evening was characterized by respectful listening. Camperdown had 62 members. News.

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SURVEY RESPONSE

The survey attracted 164 responses. Depending on which ABS measure one selects this could variously represent: 5.6% of the Camperdown Urban Area (ABS 2011 – 2,938), 5.2% of the Camperdown Urban area (ABS 2006 – 3,165), or 4.7% of Camperdown State Suburb (ABS 2011 – 3,462).

In short, the survey captured the views of around 5% of residents of Camperdown, with just under 90% giving their postcode as The strongest participation was by socially-connected and perhaps directly to community groups and 3260. All but 4 respondents those in the 15-24 and 55-64 age- more comfortably placed placed in shops, hotels and cafes. provided ‘age-grouping’ groupings. Women were more members of the community. Presentations were made to information, which, when strongly represented than men in The sample certainly included secure the involvement of a compared to the age distribution every age-group category, if only people with a passionate interest number of community groups and provided at the ABS 2006 Census, by a small margin in some. in their town and their schools over the course of the shows a good correspondence. The upshot of this response community. ten-week survey period, and Not surprisingly, representation profile is that the survey method promotional material distributed of the 1-14 years age-grouping is captured a representative sample The conduct of the survey was through the email networks of quite low, which elevated the of the population of Camperdown advertised in and editorially individuals and community, percentages for all other across age and gender. Despite supported by WD NEWS through business organisations. categories. Those in the 35-44 efforts to reach some of the the local newspaper – the age-grouping are under- recognised ‘difficult to reach’ Camperdown Chronicle. The represented, and participation of groups, the survey response in no survey form was included as a males across the 25- 44 age- doubt skewed to the literate, coloured insert in the newspaper, grouping was poor. as well as being distributed

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PUBLIC MEETING Business attraction and A public forum was held in the employment featured strongly in Theatre Royal on 31 October the voting, along with 2012, with 66 people attending. improvements to, and maintenance of, the town’s The evening commenced with an heritage streetscape. outline of the community Upgrading Apex Park, a new planning project, with reference gallery/performance space, safer to work completed in five highway crossings and traffic Corangamite towns. The management treatments, a outcomes of the Town Survey heated pool and retirement living were presented, based on the 155 accommodation were also completed returns. (A further prioritised. nine completed surveys were submitted on the evening.) It was explained that the next steps would involve the formation It was explained that all the The process of voting involved each attendee being given five coloured of Action Groups and scoping of survey ideas had been stickers and one gold sticker. Instruction was given that the coloured projects. And that a summary of summarised and grouped under a stickers should be applied to the five ideas people would like to see priorities would be circulated in number of broad headings. implemented, with the single gold sticker to then be applied to each advance of the completed plan. Similar ideas were grouped to individual’s top priority. This was expressed as – if there was only one This would include a ‘vision’ for give a summary of the most action to be implemented out of the community planning process, Camperdown drawn from the frequently mentioned proposals what would it be? most valued town aspects for change or action. This identified, based around the representation of all the survey Following the voting period, attendees returned to their chairs and an much loved avenues, trees and advice was posted around the informal verbal summary of voting patterns was described. parks, heritage features and room on large-print A0 sheet, The summary pointed out the transparent observation that the streetscape, lakes and craters, with room for attendees to add overwhelming priority to emerge is the provision of some form of businesses, shops and sporting any further ideas which had not staffed 7-day-a-week Visitor Information Centre in Camperdown, with facilities. been mentioned to date. other tourism related priorities including better directional signage and Members of the public then voted updated tourist information. The issue of caravan park facilities was The discussion of voting outcomes on priorities from the 231 listed highlighted across several priority areas. Ideas included removing the continued over supper. ideas that had been identified and caravan park and restoring the Botanic Gardens and providing camping added a few more. and upgraded caravan park facilities in several possible locations.

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IDENTIFYING ASSETS

The first question in the survey was: ‘What things do you value most about Camperdown, which need to be protected and maintained?’

The purpose of this question was to generate an appreciative enquiry, rather than dwell upon shortcomings and omissions, and it succeeded in highlighting the unprompted shared values of Camperdown’s citizenry. Responses were grouped under headings that emerged as the surveys were collated, to attempt to rank the most valued assets. This is necessarily a loose construction given the different language used by respondents which could be counted in different ways. A number of general descriptions are capable of multiple readings.

What is clear is that Camperdown’s avenues and tree- ranked on a par with ahead of another cluster, which Village feel’ count. Camperdown’s lined streets are the town’s most Camperdown’s parks and mentions Lakes, Volcanic shops, cafes, services and valued asset. This came in ahead gardens. Scores for all aspects landforms and Sport. The community organisations are also of the town’s heritage buildings could be higher if aspects of ‘town Clocktower received 42 specific highly valued. These mentions and its village feel/charm/ layout’ were added to the counts. mentions, and this could also be (see Appendix) provide a basis for ambience, a feature which was This cluster of features was clearly added to the ‘Heritage buildings/ a ‘vision’ for the town’s future.

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ISSUES AND THEMES Botanical Gardens and providing survey mention count was not upgraded facilities for supported by the vote count. As with the summary of survey caravanning and camping in mentions relating to those another location, which was Construction of an indoor heated aspects valued most by those counted under the Tourism pool topped the Recreation and with an interest in Camperdown, development heading. That sport theme, just ahead of the mentions in regard to aspects of category was dominated by the new Camperdown Playspace the town which need to be one, clear and overwhelming project. Some participants related improved, changed or created priority – the provision of a seven- that they would not ‘waste their cannot be catalogued with day-a-week manned tourist vote’ on this project, given that it precision. What can be fairly said information Centre. This both is seen to be already underway. is that there are key issues of topped the survey mention count concern, even though suggested and attracted 23 ‘gold sticker’ Ways of improving employment solutions to them may differ. priorities at the public meeting. opportunities headed the A variety of suggestions around Business, industry and economic The greatest number of survey improved tourist information development category, followed mentions and the greatest variety were aggregated to make it the by a need to provide more dining of ideas attached to the issue of number five priority overall. options. Suggestions around the Town amenity and appearance. creation of an Arts Hub/ Gallery/ The degraded condition of The issue of Highway crossing Performance space head the list Camperdown’s heritage and pedestrian safety received under the theme of Arts and streetscape gathered most survey more than 40 survey mentions cultural development. mentions and was elevated in when one gathers together the priority through the voting mention of a variety of solutions It is noted that there is a great process. Restoration of the connected to this issue. It has degree of overlap between Botanic Gardens/ Arboretum been noted that the issue of different themes, where one issue came in as number four in terms safety is differently perceived can be seen to be linked to of overall priority for action, but across age and gender, and that several others. Each priority

attracted the highest vote count the survey mention total may be project identified therefore needs amongst the identified priorities. over-counted here (given that to be seen as part of a package of This issue was linked to taking concerned individuals could measures rather than as a action on the removal of the legitimately mention multiple discreet end itself. current caravan park from the issues within the theme). Whether this is the case or not, the high Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 16

irresistible appeal of releasing equity for a much, much better life on the change left over, but it could have been because Camperdownians eventually acknowledged what they already knew, and had begun to tell the story of their town. Maybe that was it – that the town started to grow again by tapping into the market segment that mattered – cashed-up baby-boomers – but in truth it was more about ideals than money. It was the things they valued (and could afford to pay for) that got the ball rolling. First it was the Rail Trail weekenders, then the café buzz, the market and the craft and the arts and cultural activities that reminded people, like the chime of the Clocktower counting the hours, that ‘a life’ is more important than mere existence. Whatever it was, there was no doubting that the town’s new

prosperity is due in no small part VISION People say it was because the townsfolk finally got their act to the miracle of how it managed together and started working in the same direction, but that to hold on to its heritage assets No one could really put their finger on sounds a bit soft. Maybe it was because the city was becoming so and actually renew its parks and it, but ever-so-gradually Camperdown dense and congested, or maybe it was that just a few people gardens before they were lost . . . became one of those cherished country came to realise they could exchange a time-poor, harried, urban just like those splendid old trees towns that holds a place in the life of noise and endless traffic for a more genteel pace in a green in the indelible avenues of our imagination. world. Some still say it was the financial equation – the imagining.

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PRIORITY OBJECTIVES

Most of those who ‘votes’ also filled out the survey, so one needs to be careful not to allow ‘votes’ to override ‘survey mentions’. Public meeting attendees had the benefit of reviewing the unprompted survey ideas and shifting their initial opinions. (This circumstance is demonstrated in priorities 12 and 14 in the adjacent list.) Comparing and combining the count of survey mentions and votes produces a list of ranked priorities across the several themes, however there are linkages between these ideas which mean that priorities overlap in different ways.

Objectives related to improving tourism services and information are a clear top priority, including projects related to a Tourist Information Centre (1), new or better tourist information (5), and revised directional signage for visitors (10). The call for improved dining options (13) can be read as partly related to increasing the attractiveness of the town to visitors.

Objectives around the design and appearance of Manifold Street incorporate highway crossing safety (2), streetscape improvements and the maintenance and presentation of heritage buildings and features (3)

The objective of restoring Camperdown’s Botanical Gardens and Arboretum is linked to the removal of the caravan park from its entrance (4) and includes other issues around the maintenance and development of parks and urban greenspace. It is linked to proposals to provide upgraded caravanning and camping facilities (8) to provide an improved visitor experience.

Encouraging business and industry development (6) is driven by the Work on addressing community objectives around an art space (7) and objective of providing improved employment opportunities. the Camperdown Playspace (11) has already begun.

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 18

SUMMARY OF PROJECTS

Since the public meeting there have been a number of discussions on the way in which the ‘what’ (community priorities) can be translated into the’ how’ (actions). Noting remarks about other community planning exercises which have not resulted in substantial action or change, it is recommended that a small number of practical projects be pursued to demonstrate tangible results and to create confidence that the investment of time and effort in community planning is worthwhile. For those that participated in the Camperdown planning initiative, delivery on tourism services and information priorities represents this credibility test.

Some community priorities could begin to be addressed by rolling Further work is needed to scope out the exact form of the initial projects to be them in with others, and others pursued over the ten year planning horizon, allowing the possibility of adjusting through joint Shire-wide projects these allocations where a given project encounters obstacles or delays. It is in conjunction with other towns. proposed to allocate $50,000 of the available $120,000 in Council BSCC funding The notional funding allocation to three tourism-related initiatives – the proposed Tourism Information Centre, indicated in the table responds to the preparation of new tourist information and the development of an over- the key priorities identified by the arching tourism strategy which will provide a context and rationale for local Camperdown community. action and for future grant applications.

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 19

1 2 3 4 Tourist Information Centre/ Arts Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Business Façade Grant Scheme Tourist information/ Hub and Community Space Restoration Place branding collateral

Advance Camperdown, Early discussions have recognised The concern expressed through The development of new or Corangamite Arts and the Rotary that work needs to done in regard the Camperdown community revised tourist information Club of Camperdown are to succession planting in the planning process over the materials has been a high priority preparing a joint proposal to Camperdown Botanic Gardens condition of heritage buildings in for a number of Corangamite present to Council for repurposing and Arboretum before the last of the main street and that of towns. It is proposed to assemble the vacant Old Courthouse the senescent trees are lost or contributory buildings operated funds across a number of plans to building, providing community required to be removed. This by various businesses found even engage expertise to develop control of this Council-owned project will be further developed stronger expression in the Terang. information content which might asset through a two-year lease through community consultation, The same concern was expressed find expression in both digital and and volunteer-based trial. Subject but is proposed to involve a series at Derrinallum. Despite local printed forms. Words, pictures to the trial proceeding in this or of actions to develop a concern, it was felt by many that and place-branding concepts another form, seed funding of conservation management plan, little could be done as these are could be applied to a range of $40,000 is allocated for potential an expert panel to develop policy privately owned and often rented local Community Plan initiatives. leveraging with the State and an action plan both to premises. Government and the Putting conserve and further develop the Matching funding will be sought Locals First program. Gardens and Arboretum. It is Preliminary discussions have been using the Council BSCC seed proposed that this group would held about the possible funding of $10,000 allocated to Tourism Services is a core area of be constituted by Council and development of a business grants the Camperdown Plan, combined Council operations, and the would provide ongoing advice to scheme contributed to by two or with funds available to other proposal will need to be Council on the reserve, including more towns, which would offer Corangamite communities. These developed in close partnership the securing of funding to significant contributions to amounts will need to be with relevant Council officers to undertake restoration and ‘demonstration projects’ which cooperatively negotiated. ensure that the efforts of improvement works. improve the presentation of community members and Council building facades which are constructive and synergistic. An allocation of $30,000 is significantly impact on the proposed to assist in the initial streetscape. It is envisaged that this work of developing a substantial undertaking will conservation management plan An initial allocation of $25,000 of involve a Project Management and establish a sound framework Camperdown BSCC funding is funding component in the for future development and proposed, which could be foreshadowed grant application. maintenance. augmented by other funds.

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 20

5 6 7 8 Northern towns tourism strategy Camperdown Playspace Arts Hub/ Gallery/ Camperdown Streetscape and Performance space crossing safety

Discussion around tourist Although work on the Council officers are currently A number of ‘solutions’ were information services and tourist Camperdown Playspace was charged with investigations proposed through the town information has highlighted the initiated prior to commencement options and possible models for survey to the issue of pedestrian need for a strategic plan to be of the Camperdown community an ‘Arts Hub’ in Camperdown, and crossing safety on Manifold developed to guide local actions. planning process, the project the foreshadowed Theatre royal Street, to address current Ideally this would have been in received sufficient support to be upgrade could potentially address conditions and future concerns place before other tourism counted as a priority project in the priority for a quality mid-sized about the forecast growth in related priorities are designed the Camperdown Plan. The performance space, for which a heavy vehicle traffic. These and implemented, but a number project may warrant a higher number of innovative suggestions matters could be taken up with of tourism business operators and ranking than shown, given that has been floated. Along with the Vicroads by a group of community local tourism experts are of the some people advised that they suggestions about a ‘Gallery’ members and Council, as it has view than a plan needs to be did not vote for it because the space, these could be dealt with been in other towns. Initial developed to provide direction on project is seen to be underway. separately or in combination. The discussions with Vicroads have this community priority. Such a current considerations around identified some possible road plan would be critical to provide a The Camperdown Playspace has future use of the Old Courthouse treatments, and these could be context and rationale for future already received Local also touch on these priorities. systematically followed up. grant applications for tourism Government Infrastructure Fund development initiatives. support of $200,000 and the Projects in different countries The scheduled upgrade of Camperdown community is active show that an ‘Arts Hub’ can take Camperdown’s streetscape is a Preliminary discussions have in carrying out a broad range of many forms, ranging across matter for consideration in indicated that strategic work to fund-raising initiatives. Additional inspiration of art, networking and Council’s future budget be carried out by an expert funding opportunities are in the workshops and skill development, deliberations, but this project consultant might be able to pipeline to contribute to Stage 2 studio space and arts production, might also countenance some secure funding through a planning of the concept plan. to ‘arts distribution’ and art pedestrian crossing safety grant. performance and display. improvements.

This priority needs to be discussed Issues relating to the physical further in the context of practical presentation of buildings might be opportunities and constraints. dealt with in Project 3 (above).

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 21

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS REVIEW

A primary goal of the Building Having arrived at a ranked list of It is proposed to formally review Stronger Corangamite project priorities it is evident that Imagining Camperdown after a Communities initiative is to a deal of detail work is required to period of two years, perhaps strengthen communities through specify and scope these shared towards the middle of 2015, to the establishment of linkages ideas. This is complicated by the assess project achievements within communities, between fact that the agreed shape of against objectives and to community organisations, and Camperdown’s top priority formulate revised objectives as between local communities and project is conditional upon required. government agencies, including Council considerations, the local government. This is on the outcomes of which may also premise that development of impinge upon the shape of other local capacity may be achieved projects. For this reason it has through the sharing and been decided to explore a more utilisation of talents and skills continuous planning cycle in place within the community as well as of the stepped Plan/ Implement/ through linkages to expertise not Review process. It is proposed readily accessible to local that this plan will be periodically organisations. This includes access adjusted as important parameters to assistance from local and State are confirmed. government agencies to seek out advice and financial and other A concept of a rolling cycle of resources to support local ‘community conversations’ on key initiatives. priorities is planned, with a view to providing opportunity for The implementation of the focused engagement and future projects outlined in this plan will involvement around projects. seek to support and strengthen local organisations, not the least through activation of local interest and involvement in projects deemed to be of high priority by the local community.

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 22

REFERENCES

Crichett, J (1992) Our land till we die: A history of the Framlingham Aborigines, Deakin University Press, Geelong,

Department of Planning and Environment, (2013) Corangamite Planning Scheme – Municipal Strategic Statement, State Government of Victoria, at www.dpcd.gov.au/planning

Department of Sustainability and Environment, (2007) Towns in Time 2001 Analysis: Population Change in Victoria’s Towns and Rural Areas 1981- 2001, State Government of Victoria, at www.dpcd.gov.au/planning

Dowdy, K (1983) Camperdown: The Making of our Town, Camperdown Town Council, Camperdown, Victoria

Driscoll, K and Wood, L (1999) Sporting Capital: Changes and Challenges for Rural Communities in Victoria, Centre for Applied Social Research, RMIT, Melbourne, at www.actsport.com.au

Edquist, H (2008) Pioneers of Modernism: The Arts and Crafts Movement in Australia, The Miegunyah Press, Melbourne

Geldens, P (2008) ‘Out-Migration: Young Victorians and the Family Farm’, People and Place, Vol 15, No 1, pp 80-87

Hensall Hansen Associates (1990) Study of Small Towns in Victoria, Departments of Planning and Environment and Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Government of Victoria, East Melbourne

Heritage Australia, (2013) Historical Towns Directory: Camperdown, at www.heritage australia.com.au

Keneley, M (2005) ‘The Dying Town Syndrome: A Survey of Urban Development in the Western District of Victoria 1890-1930’, Chapter 10, in Struggle Country: The Rural Ideal in Twentieth Century Australia, Monash University ePress, Clayton, Victoria

Kiddle, M, (1961) Men of Yesterday: A social History of the Western District of Victoria 1840 -1890, Melbourne University Press, Carlton

MacGarvie, A and O’Toole K (2005) ‘Camperdown’, in Towns in Time: Small Towns Revisited, Chapter 14, pp 150-163, State Government of Victoria, at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/publications

Willingham, A (1998) Camperdown: A Heritage Study, Corangamite Shire, Camperdown, Victoria

Imagining Camperdown Community priorities for township development – 2013 to 2023 January 2013 23

APPENDICES

Survey instrument Ranking of issues and projects Summary of survey responses Detailed survey and voting results

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