Regional priorities Wimmera Southern Summary

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

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

In 2016, Infrastructure Victoria recommendations and adding others developed Victoria’s first ever 30-year in response to Victoria’s changing infrastructure strategy. This statewide, circumstances. But we retain a long-term evidence-based strategy covers view of Victoria’s infrastructure needs over all types of infrastructure and was the next 30 years, remembering that developed in consultation with infrastructure lasts many decades, stakeholders and the community. and must meet both immediate needs and those in the future. To stay relevant and reflect our state’s evolving infrastructure needs, the strategy To review the draft strategy, including all is updated every three to five years. 95 draft recommendations for infrastructure projects, policies and reforms, visit The updated draft strategy builds on infrastructurevictoria.com.au our work, revising many of our original

Why do we want to hear from you?

We're updating our strategy to guide Can you: Victoria's infrastructure planning for \ Provide feedback on draft the 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 Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 03

How has Infrastructure Victoria listened to regional Victorians?

We’ve committed to building a deeper regions, and explored recommendations understanding of infrastructure needs which will address them. Our work is and impacts in regional Victoria, and to shaped by extensive consultation and developing stronger evidence to make engagement across Victoria’s regions, better regional infrastructure which includes a workshop in Horsham investments. that brought together stakeholders from:

Over the last three years, we have built our \ Wimmera Southern Mallee knowledge of regional communities, 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 to focused on infrastructure-related recommendations, to help us shape the meet the infrastructure needs of the opportunities to build on Wimmera final strategy. Your input is welcome on all Wimmera Southern Mallee region? Southern Mallee’s economic and industry draft recommendations, not just those \ Are there specific areas in Wimmera advantages, and to strengthen local targeting regional Victoria. The questions Southern Mallee where the draft communities by improving health, include: recommendations apply most strongly? education and 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 strategy which respond to the needs and new infrastructure and making better their objectives? opportunities we identified in Wimmera use of existing infrastructure? \ Are there any unintended consequences Southern Mallee. Our findings and draft \ Do the draft recommendations of the draft recommendations? recommendations are grouped by key collectively respond to Wimmera themes identified in the draft strategy and Southern Mallee’s infrastructure-related the outcomes we want to achieve. challenges and opportunities? 04 Infrastructure Victoria

Overview

The Wimmera Southern Mallee region is an agricultural economy based on dryland farming – especially grain, a major export for the region. Health services and manufacturing make up the next largest sectors of the economy with several key health facilities located in Horsham, the region’s largest urban centre.

The Wimmera Southern Mallee region residents across Wimmera Southern Mallee. includes the traditional lands of the Wotjobaluk, Horsham’s population has been growing in Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, and Jupagalk recent years, in contrast to the region’s peoples and sections of the land of the Dja Dja smaller towns and rural areas. Warrung people, Taungurung people and the The region contains some of Victoria’s more Yorta Yorta people. The region is home to remote areas, bordering South . The some of Victoria’s iconic natural attractions, region does not border metropolitan including the National Park and and therefore the region’s population and the . economy are less influenced by the benefits Horsham and Stawell are service centres for and pressures associated with being adjacent the wider region. Horsham in particular is a to Melbourne’s peri-urban fringe. major centre of employment and services for

The regions of Wimmera Southern Mallee

An ariultural eonomy based on dryland farming. Rural cropping areas Yarriambiack (S)

Hindmarsh (S) ealth series and manuaturin make up the next larest setors o the eonomy. orsham is a maor entre o emloyment and series for residents across Wimmera Murtoa St Arnaud Southern Mallee. Horsham West Wimmera (S) The region includes the Northern traditional lands of the Horsham (RC) Grampians (S) Wotoalu aaa aaaali Weraia and uaal peoples and Edenhope Stawell South sections of the land of the Horsham’s oulation east area a a Wurrun eole, has been roin in aunurun people and recent years. Horsham the orta orta people. regional hub Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 05

Sheep at Dusk, Wimmera Malleee Tourism

Enhance market access and productivity

What we found Better connect Wimmera Draft recommendation 77 Wimmera Southern Mallee’s rail freight Southern Mallee businesses network, which links grain producers and with processors and markets Deliver funding certainty for regional road maintenance processors with Victoria’s ports and export Draft regional transport recommendations and upgrades markets, is a regional strength. to provide funding certainty for road and rail maintenance and upgrade programs Within two years, specify clear levels of Despite the region’s strong rail freight aim to leverage Wimmera Southern service for each type of regional road and network, many businesses remain reliant Mallee’s road and rail freight networks to bridge. Following this, dedicate an ongoing on heavy vehicle transportation. Upgrades better support the needs of the region’s program to fund regional road and bridge and improvements to the current road businesses. This will help improve access, maintenance and upgrades to meet these infrastructure are needed to manage connectivity and safety while also reducing service levels. Funding should be prioritised increasing volumes of freight travelling supply chain costs, allowing businesses to based on improving safety, decreasing between the region’s primary industries, remain competitive. vehicle emissions, and lifting economic processors and markets. This includes productivity. the region’s agriculture industry and the These recommendations will build on emerging mining and renewable energy one-off Victorian Government funding industries. Safe and reliable country roads commitments for road and rail maintenance Draft recommendation 78 are also needed to connect tourist announced as part of the Building Works locations and visitor accommodation. stimulus package and the Victorian Budget Revise the Murray 2020-21, to deliver longer term funding Wimmera Southern Mallee requires Basin Rail project plan certainty for freight networks. sustained investment in road and rail Immediately revise the Murray Basin Rail maintenance and upgrades to enable The original Murray Basin Rail project aimed project plan, informed by the project's efficient supply chains and provide to improve freight routes through the region business case review. certainty to local businesses to Melbourne and regional ports, to improve and investors. efficiency and lower the cost of freight transport across Victoria’s west. Draft recommendation 79

The draft strategy recommendation to Fund an ongoing rail freight revise the Murray Basin Rail project plan maintenance program seeks to provide certainty about future intentions for this important upgrade Immediately fund an ongoing periodic Please refer to Infrastructure Victoria’s to the regional freight network. regional freight rail maintenance program, draft 30-year strategy (section 1.4) informed by a publicly available network for statewide recommendations to asset management plan. help industries stay connected to global markets. 06 Infrastructure Victoria

What we found However, opportunities to improve digital Combined with the draft recommendation coverage and capacity for businesses to improve resilience of regional The Wimmera Southern Mallee Digital across Wimmera Southern Mallee remain. telecommunications infrastructure (see Plan identifies the lack of availability of Inadequate mobile and digital connectivity draft recommendation 86 on page 12), adequate, affordable business-grade is constraining productivity and business this will help to address Wimmera telecommunications and digital connectivity competitiveness. The Victorian Southern Mallee’s digital infrastructure services for regional businesses as a key Government's Digital Future Now initiative and connectivity needs. issue for the region, along with poor mobile aims to address these constraints by coverage and the low take-up of Internet funding faster broadband for regional of Things (IoT) applications. IoT enables towns and eradicating mobile black spots Draft recommendation 80 devices embedded with sensors to connect in populated areas of regional Victoria, in to and interact with each other via the Continue to address regional partnership with the Australian Government. internet, to collect information and monitor Victoria's digital connectivity gaps data which helps farmers make more In the next five years, continue delivering informed decisions. Leverage digital connectivity regional digital connectivity improvements, to improve productivity The Victorian Government’s On-Farm and review the need for further government Internet of Things trial in Birchip, to the investment following the roll-out of the The draft recommendation to continue north of Wimmera Southern Mallee, Digital Future Now initiative. to address regional Victoria's digital supports broadacre grain farms to be connectivity gaps aims to maintain the digitally connected, enabling collection focus on improving both fixed broadband and management of detailed location and and mobile services in the long term. plant-specific data across large areas to Improved connectivity will ensure that more help mitigate risk. Trials are still underway, Wimmera Southern Mallee businesses can and Infrastructure Victoria will monitor the Please refer to Infrastructure Victoria’s take advantage of the opportunities digital evidence being generated. draft 30-year strategy (section 1.3) for technology provides. Reliable and high- recommendations which embrace speed internet connections can help technological opportunities. businesses to operate and compete from Horsham’s Enhanced Broadband trial, any region, placing businesses in a stronger part of the Victorian Government’s position to weather future crises and explore Connecting Regional Communities potential opportunities created by any program, has delivered a high- longer-term shift to remote working. capacity fixed wireless network capable of delivering higher quality services than those previously available. This project can help inform the applicability of similar projects to other areas across the region to ensure businesses can access the digital services they require. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 07

Support industry resilience

What we found These recommendations will benefit By the 2030s Wimmera Southern Mallee’s agriculture Wimmera Southern Mallee is an established and related businesses, helping to support region of agricultural production. Grains, continued industry growth. 1.8ºc sheep meat and wool are the region’s main agricultural commodities – more than a Average maximum temperatures quarter of Victoria’s total grains (26%) are Draft recommendation 11 could increase by up to 1.8°C produced in Wimmera Southern Mallee. Consider all water supply sources The past decade has been challenging for agriculture, with extensive periods of Consider all water sources for supply 10% drought and unfavourable conditions augmentation, including identifying and affecting the region’s grain production. addressing barriers to recycled drinking Average annual rainfall is The region has high exposure to changing water within the next 10 years. When projected to decrease by 10% climatic conditions, which are predicted planning for future water supply, investigate to become more variable. By the 2030s, all options including, but not limited to, Wimmera Southern Mallee’s average recycled water, seawater desalination, By the 2050s maximum temperatures could increase stormwater harvesting and using water by up to 1.8oC, while average annual rainfall pipelines to move water between regions. is projected to decrease by 10%. By the x2 38ºc 2050s, Wimmera Southern Mallee could have twice as many days over 38oC and Draft recommendation 14 Could have twice as many days up to 48% more very high fire danger days. Strengthen agricultural water over 38ºC The Wimmera Mallee pipeline provides security by modernising irrigation water security for the region, enabling During the next 30 years, contribute farmers to supplement cropping operations funding toward planning and delivery 48% with livestock, managing variability in of irrigation modernisation projects seasonal conditions and commodity across regional Victoria. Could have up to 48% more prices. Coupled with world-class research, very high fire danger days development and extension facilities at the Horsham Grains Innovation Park Draft recommendation 15 ,these strengths will help the agricultural industries manage the increased incidence Upgrade Victoria’s emergency of droughts, extreme weather events water network and expected reduction in average rainfall. However, a continued focus on Immediately assess the condition, capacity water supply and drought-proof water and security of Victoria’s emergency water infrastructure will be needed to ensure supply point network, and upgrade or water security into the future. replace inadequate supply points. Clarify ongoing responsibility for maintenance and funding to secure a resilient network. Improve water security for the agriculture industry

Draft recommendations aim to further strengthen water security in Wimmera Southern Mallee, by using all sources of Please refer to the online strategy water supply, continuing to modernise (section 1.2) for additional irrigation systems and upgrading Victoria’s recommendations on water emergency water supply network to ensure and climate. farmers can get water as rainfalls continue to decline. 08 Infrastructure Victoria

Unlock industry growth opportunities

What we found Remove infrastructure barriers Draft recommendation 02 Renewable energy, particularly wind to business investment Augment electricity transmission generation, is an emerging opportunity for Draft renewable energy recommendations for renewable energy and resilience the region. However, future development is aim to remove constraints to future constrained by inadequacies in the region’s industry development to leverage potential Support augmentation of critical electricity transmission infrastructure, which limits renewable energy opportunities in Wimmera transmission infrastructure by 2027-28 to energy innovation. Transmission network Southern Mallee. Infrastructure Victoria accommodate new renewable energy connections are essential if Wimmera supports the Australian Energy Market generation and improve network resilience. Southern Mallee is to realise the potential Operator’s proposed transmission benefits associated with wind and solar extension VNI West, which will better energy power generation. connect Victoria with New South Wales Draft recommendation 03 and unlock the potential of significant Identify and coordinate priority renewable energy resources – including Renewable Energy Zones Access to reliable, modern utilities wind and solar resources in the Western services, including energy, has been Victoria Renewable Energy Zone, partly Immediately identify and coordinate the identified as a potential development within Wimmera Southern Mallee. development of priority Renewable Energy constraint in the region. Where farms Zones, especially in the state’s northwest. Our draft recommendation to co-fund are powered through outdated power supply upgrades responds to single wire earth return power lines, constraints associated with outdated changing industry practices and more Draft recommendation 81 power supply infrastructure and allows energy intensive farming equipment new investment opportunities for regional are leading to capacity constraints Upgrade power supply businesses. Where upgrades are shown which limit production and stop infrastructure for agriculture to deliver benefits to existing users and farms from expanding. and regional manufacturing unlock potential future investment, upgrade costs can be shared between the Victorian In the next five years, contribute toward Government, power distribution companies strategic power supply infrastructure and local businesses. upgrades for agriculture and regional manufacturing, where an independent assessment demonstrates significant potential for increased productivity, competitiveness and growth. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 09

What we found Support a recovery Draft recommendation 82 Heritage-listed for its animal and plant life, in regional tourism Plan for future investment in Aboriginal heritage and stunning natural Three draft tourism recommendations, regional nature-based tourism beauty, the is a centred on nature-based and Aboriginal infrastructure major asset for the region’s tourism industry. tourism opportunities, aim to support Other attractions in Wimmera Southern sustainable growth in the region’s tourism In the next five years, develop a Victorian Mallee include the Art Trail, the Wimmera industry. A nature-based tourism strategy to nature-based tourism strategy to guide River and agritourism events such as the guide future investment in the region’s tourist industry development and prioritise Grampians Grape Escape. infrastructure will help ensure that tourism further investments. experiences, and supporting facilities and The region has a rich Aboriginal heritage. infrastructure, meet visitor expectations and Aboriginal people have had an association that the region’s natural assets are protected Draft recommendation 83 with the Grampians, or Gariwerd, for more and enhanced. than 30,000 years. The land is at the centre Develop a Victorian Aboriginal of creation stories for many of the Aboriginal Nature-based tourism sites, such as tourism strategy communities in south-western Victoria. national parks, require basic amenities and Partner with Traditional Owners to develop Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural infrastructure to encourage investment in a Victorian Aboriginal tourism strategy in the Centre in celebrates and shares experiences, food and accommodation next five years to guide future Aboriginal the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Gariwerd. services. Removing barriers to invest in tourism investments, including through Joint Additional important sites on the land of the national parks’ tourist facilities and services Management Plans. Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia will further add to the diversity of Wimmera and Jupagalk people occur along the Southern Mallee’s tourist offering. Wimmera River. A Victorian Aboriginal tourist strategy, Draft recommendation 84 Along with other tourist regions across co-developed with Traditional Owners, Victoria, the Grampians has been hit by can further drive sustainable economic Boost tourism infrastructure the decline in tourism due to COVID-19. activity in Wimmera Southern Mallee, by allowing more national A significant proportion of jobs in the helping to preserve and promote the parks to grant long leases area are reliant on the visitor economy. region’s Aboriginal cultural histories and Attract investment in Victoria’s regional As restrictions ease, opportunities exist heritage sites and create job opportunities tourism industry by immediately allowing to further develop tourism in Wimmera for Aboriginal communities. more national parks to grant leases of up Southern Mallee, focusing on the Collectively, these recommendations can to 49 years for infrastructure proposals region’s natural assets and Aboriginal build on investments in Wimmera Southern that meet specific criteria and complement cultural heritage. Mallee’s tourism infrastructure announced in environmental and heritage values The visitor experience could be improved the Victorian Budget 2020-21, including by enhanced tourism infrastructure, funding towards the Grampians Peak Trail, particularly in the north and west of the the Brambuk Cultural Centre and visitor region. Wimmera River would benefit from upgrades at MacKenzie Falls. enabling infrastructure such as cycling and walking trails. Rest areas and tourist facilities are also needed to further develop nature-based tourism experiences in the region’s national parks. 10 Infrastructure Victoria

Connect the regions to help strengthen wellbeing

What we found It advocates ongoing funding for regional transport, moving away from short-term A lack of public transport in Wimmera trials to lasting transport commitments, Southern Mallee acts as a barrier to jobs to provide long-term certainty to local and services for those who do not have communities and ensure that Wimmera their own means of transport. Access to Southern Mallee residents can access public transport across the region is low, education, health and other services which with 55% of Horsham residents living within are increasingly centralised in Horsham ready access of public transport compared and other regional centres. with the Victorian average of 74%. Access to public transport falls to just 8% in

Yarriambiack Shire. Draft recommendation 85 Horsham, the regional hub, is the main Reform regional public centre for work, education and services. transport to meet local needs The public transport catchment outside of Horsham is very limited and, where In the next five years, gradually redirect public transport does exist, connections some regional transport funding to are infrequent or poorly timetabled. Many re-designed, integrated local transport of the region’s settlements and smaller services, based on regional needs towns have no transport options to access assessments, and incorporating flexible education or work opportunities in services that meet local needs. Horsham. Less than 1% of Wimmera Southern Mallee workers travel to work by public transport.

Better cross-region transport services, including regular services between smaller Please refer to Infrastructure towns and regional hubs, would ensure Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy that those without a car are able to access (section 4.3) for Infrastructure the services they need. Victoria’s position on Very Fast Rail for the regions. Enable viable transport options across Wimmera Southern Mallee

Our draft recommendation to reform public transport focuses on improving transport options within the Wimmera Southern Mallee region. It seeks to develop solutions which integrate traditional public transport with more innovative, flexible transport options (such as community transport, on-demand services and the school bus network) to deliver services which respond T&G Building in Horsham to community needs. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 11

What we found Continue to bridge Wimmera Household internet access rates are low Southern Mallee’s digital divide across Wimmera Southern Mallee, due Draft strategy recommendations aim to to inequity in digital infrastructure, service improve the resilience of elecommunications quality, cost and digital literacy. One in infrastructure, to help ensure Wimmera four (24%) Wimmera Southern Mallee Southern Mallee residents can remain households do not have internet access connected in times of emergency. A compared with a Victorian average of one comprehensive approach is needed in seven. across fixed, mobile and Wi-Fi networks to ensure more resilient communications. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for internet access and connectivity. They also aim to improve access to A virtual roundtable hosted by Wimmera the internet for those who are unable to Southern Mallee Regional Partnership in access it at home, leveraging the existing June 2020 highlighted that families and infrastructure, expertise and support young people without internet at home available within Wimmera Southern have experienced barriers to remote Mallee’s library network. The expertise learning during the pandemic. Low digital available within the library network is literacy and connectivity have made it particularly important in enabling those difficult for some to connect with services with lower levels of digital literacy and and support, increasing social isolation capability to access services which are particularly among the region’s elderly increasingly available online. and more vulnerable residents.

Mobile coverage is also an issue across Draft recommendation 86 the region. The Wimmera Southern Mallee Digital Plan highlights a persistent divide Improve resilience of regional in the quality of mobile services available telecommunications infrastructure to regional users compared to Melbourne, with mobile users registering 219 black In the next ten years, develop more resilient spots across the region. Poor mobile regional telecommunications infrastructure quality and coverage have implications so communities can stay safe during for public safety, affecting the ability of emergencies, including greater network residents to access critical information redundancy and back-up power supply. in times of emergency.

The need to ensure reliable mobile and Draft recommendation 87 internet coverage is accompanied by a need to build the digital capability and Fund regional libraries to literacy of Wimmera Southern Mallee provide better internet access residents, so online services can be Immediately provide funding for regional accessed by all those who need them. and rural libraries to improve community access to fast, free internet services, leveraging existing library infrastructure. 12 Infrastructure Victoria

Foster regional Victorians’ health, safety and inclusion

What we found Improve health outcomes Health and wellbeing indicators show for Wimmera Southern relatively poor outcomes for Wimmera Mallee residents Southern Mallee residents across a range Draft recommendations aim collectively of measures, potentially associated with to improve access to health services for a lack of access to health and support Wimmera Southern Mallee residents. services. For example, life expectancy Our recommendations to use innovation is below the state average in many areas. in healthcare delivery seek to expand the Preventable hospitalisation rates are high, use of technology in service provision, to almost doubling the state average in better connect regional communities with Hindmarsh Shire. specialist health services. We recommend leveraging existing school infrastructure to The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated support delivery of paediatric and allied issues with access to health services telehealth services, to improve health and across the region. Social isolation has development outcomes for children and also increased during the pandemic, with young people in the region. This builds on impacts on mental health. Parts of the the BY FIVE project, which is streamlining region have above average numbers of and coordinating services to support mental health clients, as well as those children and their families. It also builds receiving drug and alcohol treatment – on increased uptake of telehealth services particularly Northern Grampians and in the region during the pandemic. Horsham. However, access to local support services is limited. There are no A plan for future investment in Aboriginal residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation community-controlled infrastructure aims facilities in the region, for example, and to respond to the current and future many people need to leave the area infrastructure needs of Wimmera Southern to access the services they need. Mallee’s Aboriginal community.

The region demonstrates relatively poor Draft strategy recommendations for provision results for early childhood development. of residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation One in four children in Wimmera Southern facilities in Wimmera Southern Mallee and Mallee are developmentally vulnerable, improved access to mental health facilities rising to one in three in Yarriambiack. aim to respond to gaps in local service This compares with a Victorian average of availability and provision. one in five. The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership Early Years Project, BY FIVE, highlighted concerns about access to specialist paediatric services, primary health care and allied health services for children across the region. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 13

Draft recommendation 21 Draft recommendation 75

Use innovation to deliver Deliver infrastructure for a better models of healthcare better mental health system

Within five years, help slow the growth Immediately establish a dedicated in demand for hospital infrastructure by infrastructure fund to support a better funding a comprehensive statewide health mental health system, building on the innovation strategy to promote better recommendations of the Royal Commission models of healthcare. into Victoria's Mental Health System.

Draft recommendation 88 Draft recommendation 92

Use rural schools for Build regional residential alcohol children’s specialist and and drug rehabilitation facilities allied telehealth services Within five years, build residential Retrofit or better use selected rural school detoxification and rehabilitation facilities infrastructure for children’s specialist and in Wimmera Southern Mallee to provide allied telehealth services to improve children’s equitable access to alcohol and other health and development, following a trial drug treatment. in Wimmera Southern Mallee.

Draft recommendation 72

Co-design an Aboriginal Please refer to Infrastructure Victoria’s Community-Controlled draft 30-year strategy (section 3.3) Infrastructure Plan for more recommendations on aligning social infrastructure with Immediately commence a co-design better service delivery. process to develop a plan to guide investment in Aboriginal community- controlled infrastructure to meet current and future social, economic and cultural needs. 14 Infrastructure Victoria

What we found Draft recommendation 59 Demographic changes, such as an ageing Our draft recommendation to create population, affect the scope and mix of climate-adapted facilities for rural Build back better services councils need to provide. Smaller communities aims to support local after emergencies rural councils, such as West Wimmera, governments to deliver a network of Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires, have facilities which can help reduce the In the next year, consider policy changes a relatively small ratepayer base which is health impacts of exposure to heat, and and funding mechanisms so high-priority further constrained by declining populations prolonged smoke from bushfires. Combined public infrastructure destroyed by and lower average incomes, which limits with the draft recommendation to build emergencies is built to a more resilient their financial viability and ability to maintain back better after emergencies, this aims standard or in less vulnerable locations. services and facilities in line with growing to build community resilience to the impacts community expectations. Relatively high of climate change. socio-economic disadvantage in areas across the region indicates a higher per capita demand for a range of health and Draft recommendation 89 Please refer to Infrastructure community services, to be delivered across Deliver multipurpose shared social Victoria’s draft 30-year strategy relatively dispersed communities. service facilities in the regions (section 2.4) for additional The impact of climate change adds further recommendations on adapting Immediately undertake collaborative complexity to the challenges facing local infrastructure for modern needs. inter-agency planning for regional social governments and communities. Wimmera services to identify opportunities for Southern Mallee is exposed to the impacts multipurpose shared facilities, then deliver of climate change with higher temperatures, them where appropriate in partnership more days of extreme heat and declining with local governments and community rainfall forecast. Climate change also organisations. increases the frequency of conditions for catastrophic bushfires.

Draft recommendation 90 Make better use of community infrastructure Support regional councils to update, repurpose and retire outdated Draft recommendations for better use of community infrastructure community facilities aim to support regions Fund rural and regional councils in the next and local governments in providing fit for five years to update, repurpose and retire purpose social infrastructure which can outdated community infrastructure for respond to local needs. Service planning can better service delivery. help identify gaps in existing infrastructure, or opportunities for shared facilities, supported by funding to retrofit, repurpose or retire Draft recommendation 91 existing community facilities. Transport planning, integrated in planning for service Create climate-adapted facilities delivery, will ensure that essential services for rural communities can be accessed by all those who need In the next five years, fund local them. The draft recommendation for governments to plan and help deliver multipurpose shared social service facilities a network of designated, accessible responds to opportunities identified by climate-adapted community facilities, Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional to manage the health impacts of extreme Partnership to develop shared service heat and bushfire smoke. models across the region. Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy Wimmera Southern Mallee summary 15

Wooden Railway Bridge near Horsham

What we found Draft recommendation 94 Although housing affordability in Wimmera Enhance access to affordable, Southern Mallee is high relative to other fit for purpose housing Expand social housing in Victorian regions, regional stakeholders The draft recommendation to expand regional centres, in locations have highlighted that housing remains an social housing in regional centres, in with good access issue. One in three rental households in locations with good access to transport Horsham experience rental stress, and Focus social housing investments in and services, aims to respond to the need vacancy rates do not reflect the true regional centres, near access to transport for additional social housing in the region. amount of habitable homes available and services, to contribute to a target of Combined with draft recommendations to for rent. 4.5 social housing dwellings for every 100 renew public housing and to continue to Victorian households by 2031. The region has relatively high rates of improve the climate-resilience of social family violence, the fourth highest per housing, our housing recommendations capita rate in regional Victoria, which aim to improve Wimmera Southern Mallee Draft recommendation 95 contributes further to demand for social residents’ access to affordable and fit for housing. The region has limited crisis purpose housing, ensuring a long term Make social housing suitable housing for families escaping violence, focus on provisioning social housing for changing local climates with demand outstripping supply. following the roll out of the Victorian Prioritising northern Victoria, continue to Government's four-year Big Housing deliver a long-term program of modifying Build program. social housing to be climate-resilient by improving the energy efficiency and energy affordability of residences.

Draft recommendation 57

Rapidly renew old public housing

Rapidly renew dilapidated public housing properties, with a priority to renew at least half of all older low-rise apartments and older three-bedroom detached dwellings by 2031. This publication may be of assistance to you, but Infrastructure Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. You should seek appropriately qualified advice before making any decisions regarding your particular project.

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December 2020

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Pink Lake — salt lake near Dimboola