ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 Lobbying for better outcomes on behalf of our community ADVOCACY IS ABOUT SPEAKING OUT ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. Advocacy is a key role of As times move forward, so do local government community priorities For council, advocacy is about stepping up to speak out This document highlights the priority infrastructure and on important issues on behalf of Campaspe residents, policy needs for Campaspe over the period 2018-2021. ratepayers and businesses. We also know that new things can crop up in the interim. We do this to seek positive outcomes from decision- Council will be ready to engage when new issues emerge makers on important issues, such as new infrastructure, that impact the municipality and region. funding for programs, or changes to policy or legislation that will benefit our community. Contents A snapshot of our community 1 Our advocacy partners and audience 3 Now in focus: Key advocacy campaigns 2018-2021 4 Overhauling Key Sport and Recreation Spaces Transformative Public Transport Upgrades Service Roads for Business Growth Regional Natural Trail Experiences Precinct-Building: Echuca Events Standing by our communities: Advocacy support for local issues 15 Always in our sights: The enduring challenges 17 A SNAPSHOT OF OUR COMMUNITY OUR VISION IS TO BE STRONG, SUPPORTIVE, VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE. Overview POPULATION COMMUNITIES (APPROX.) The Shire of Campaspe sits directly north of Bendigo in the Echuca 13,500 Loddon Mallee region, with the Murray River forming its northern boundary. Kyabram 5,700 Rochester 2,600 The municipality has a resident population of approximately 38,000, with the majority of people living Tongala 1,220 in or surrounding the main towns of Echuca, Kyabram, Rushworth 1,000 Rochester, Tongala, and Rushworth. The largest town Stanhope 470 in the Shire, Echuca, along with its NSW counterpart, Lockington 350 Moama, has a combined population of approximately Gunbower 260 22,300 and continues to experience strong population Girgarre 190 growth. Colbinabbin 110 While the Campaspe economy is overwhelmingly driven by Rural areas and small communities 12,600 the agriculture and food processing sector, tourism plays SHIRE 38,000 a strong role with Echuca Moama and the iconic Murray River sitting amongst the state’s key tourism destinations. GUNBOWER DARWIN Map of Campaspe Shire MURRAY VALLEYMURRAY HWY RIVER NORTHERN TERRITORY KOW QUEENSLAND The shire has an estimated residential SWAMP population of 37,463 people. TORRUMBARRY WESTERN AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA BRISBANE GOULBURN RIVER NEW SOUTH WALES ECHUCA PERTH SYDNEY WYUNA CANBERRA KOYUGA ADELAIDE VICTORIA TONGALA LOCKINGTON MELBOURNE KYVALLEY MIDLAND HWY TASMANIA NANNEELLA KYABRAM ROCHESTER GREENS LAKE GIRGARRE MIDLAND HWY MELBOURNE STANHOPE COROP LAKE COOPER WARANGA BASIN COLBINABBIN NORTHERN HWY RUSHWORTH VICTORIA CAMPASPE RIVER MELBOURNE MELBOURNE 2 HOURS DRIVE TOOLLEEN ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 | CAMPASPE SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE 1 A SNAPSHOT OF OUR COMMUNITY Our Advantages Our Challenges • Strong transport links to Bendigo and Melbourne • Key towns growing, versus population decline in smaller • Located centrally to key agricultural regions: the communities Goulburn Valley, Riverina and Mallee • Water security for the agricultural sector • Strong and diversified economy • High costs of inputs for industry • Warm climate and access to irrigation • An ageing population • Relatively high employment levels • Substance abuse • Access to primary health care and quality primary/ • Availability of higher education and training secondary education • Cross-border administration • High rates of community participation and volunteering WE MAINLY WE ARE WORK IN GROWING Manufacturing, 2013: 36,919 Agriculture, 2036: 43,000 (forecast) Health care, and Tourism WE ARE WE HAVE A BECOMING SIZEABLE OLDER AND ABORIGINAL YOUNGER POPULATION Compared to regional Victoria we have a 2.3% of residents are higher population of Aboriginal, both younger people compared to the state and older people average of 0.7% WE HAVE ON AVERAGE, LOWER LEVELS WE EARN LESS OF EDUCATION In 2011 the median 47.2% of residents hold weekly income was a qualification of some only $886, compared sort compared to 51.6% to $945 for regional for regional Victoria Victoria and $1,242 for Australia as a whole ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 | CAMPASPE SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE 2 OUR ADVOCACY PARTNERS AND AUDIENCE Council sees other levels of government as key partners Most of council’s advocacy priorities will come as no in building a better community for the future. Likewise, surprise – many of these we have been discussing with the Campaspe works alongside the other councils of the community and government for some time. Many will also region to ensure that infrastructure and policy outcomes be found in regional plans where council has worked to carry wider regional benefits. ensure that local priorities are strategically identified Who we work with… Regional State Government Federal Government Campaspe works strategically within a The state government is responsible The federal government holds number of council groups - including for providing a wide range of services responsibility for a number of areas of the Murray River Group of Councils important to Campaspe, including significance to Campaspe, including and the Loddon Mallee Regional health, education, public transport, telecommunications, energy policy Partnership - to align infrastructure and major roads. The government and international trade policy - all and policy priorities. is also a significant partner in of which additionally impact on the the delivery of local community local agricultural and food processing The region’s key agencies and infrastructure through providing sector. stakeholders are also essential funding to council for a range of partners in the successful delivery of Local government also depends on projects. important projects and programs. federal financial support to provide Council works hard to keep the critical infrastructure and services to government informed of local local communities, with roads being a priorities through ongoing dialogue key recipient. and the development of formal submissions. ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 | CAMPASPE SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE 3 NOW IN FOCUS: OUR KEY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS 2018 - 2021 THESE ARE OUR ‘BIG TICKET’ ITEMS: INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS THAT WILL BOOST LIVEABILITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. Over the coming period, council will focus its attention on pursuing a number of key local projects with the potential to transform the way we live and do things in Campaspe. These projects have been researched and planned with local communities over a number of years. Now ‘shovel- ready’, these initiatives need the financial support from government to help bring the vision to reality. Campaigns Overhauling Key Sport and Recreation Spaces Transformative Public Transport Upgrades Service Roads for Business Growth Regional Natural Trail Experiences Precinct-Building: Echuca Events ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 | CAMPASPE SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE 4 OUR KEY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS 2018 - 2021 Campaign: Overhauling Key Sport and Recreation Spaces What is it? Fast Facts An opportunity to modernise two significant recreation spaces: • Echuca population forecast to grow by 3,642 (26%) by 2036 Victoria Park - Reconfiguration and upgrade of the • 33% of residents obese sporting and community infrastructure to align with the construction of the new Echuca Moama bridge. • 53% of residents engage in insufficient physical activity Echuca East Recreation Reserve – Presently an ageing • 18% of residents have high levels of psychological and underutilised space, updated to meet the changing distress and future needs of the community. • Present recreation facilities at ‘end of life’ and not meeting user needs Features Victoria Park Echuca East Recreation Reserve • Replace the existing ageing user infrastructure with a • Replace the existing ageing infrastructure with one multi-use pavilion multi-use facility • Upgrade internal informal paths to improve safety and • Provide a multi-purpose play space supporting strengthen pedestrian linkages along the Murray River structured recreation activities as well as informal • Improve picnic and viewing facilities and amenities recreation activities • Improve the protection of important historic elements • Create safe off-road bike skills paths • Improve boat launching and trailer parking facilities • Provide an accessible play space • Upgrade playing surfaces and car parking • Establish a safe off leash dog play park • Provide for events including Southern 80, sporting • Improve landscaping, amenities and user facilities carnivals and concerts Key Outcomes • Improved sporting facilities Victoria Park • A multi-purpose active green space • Improved Murray River access • Shared, multi-purpose community facilities • Recognition of Aboriginal cultural significance • Safe off-road cycling and walking paths Echuca East • Safe off leash dog play park ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 2018 - 2021 | CAMPASPE SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE 5 OUR KEY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS 2018 - 2021 Benefits Improved access to quality green spaces alongside These two projects will additionally address different participation in sport and physical activity provides many recreation needs in distinct communities within Echuca: health benefits, both physical and mental: • The new Echuca Moama bridge will additionally provide • reductions in illness and deaths, stress and obesity