Investing $1m in the

Thanks to the Australian Government’s Drought Communities Programme, we have $1 million to invest in drought-relief projects in the Millewa. All Millewa residents are invited to help decide how this grant money is spent, by voting for their three most preferred projects.

Cast Your Vote You can vote for your top three projects: • Online at www..vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay • Using a voting slip at the Community Forum on Saturday 18 January. Voting is open from Saturday 18 January until Monday 3 February 2020. Only one vote is permitted per person and only Millewa residents are eligible to vote. Votes will be tallied and starting from the project with the highest score, projects will be finalised by working downwards until the $1 million budget is exhausted.

The Shortlisted Projects Lake Walking Trail The $1 million must be used for projects that meet specific This project will enhance the 10.4km drought-relief criteria. To qualify, the project must: walking trail that circumnavigates • Increase employment and/or work opportunities; the lake. Additional interpretative and directional signage would • Stimulate rural and regional communities’ economies; be designed and installed. Trails • Provide Social, economic and/or environmental and access pathways would also benefits; or be upgraded to make this a • Improve access to, repair or upgrade of local destination with tourism, recreation infrastructure, amenities and facilities. and environmental appeal. This project has the potential Over the past months, Council staff have liaised with to directly employ local residents by engaging local Millewa residents, businesses, community groups, industry contractors, as well as providing increased support for and professional groups to identify potential projects. local businesses. Each project was then assessed and its viability and Estimated cost: $400,000 suitability considered. Estimated timeframe: 12–24 months The result is a shortlist of 11 potential projects which locals are now invited to prioritise. Lake Cullulleraine foreshore amenities This project will upgrade amenities Millewa tourist signage on the Lake Cullulleraine foreshore Tourist signage would be designed for use by both locals and visitors. and installed across the Millewa New lighting, a permanent stage, to help market local attractions upgraded playground area, BBQ, including Lake Cullulleraine, Murray- camp kitchen facilities and tourist Sunset National Park and various information board could be installed. walking trails. This project aims to This project would also see a floating encourage visitation and get people pontoon constructed on the lake. The project has the passing through the area to stop potential to directly employ local residents by engaging and enjoy what the Millewa has to offer. A vibrant tourism local contractors, as well as stimulating tourism and industry will improve employment opportunities for local improving access to facilities in the region. residents. Estimated cost: $195,000 Estimated cost: $25,000 Estimated timeframe: 12-18 months Estimated timeframe: 6 months

T 03 5018 8100 E [email protected] www.mildura.vic.gov.au Sewerage system and amenities block upgrade second netball court. This project would improve access to local services and facilities and has the potential to directly This project will upgrade the employ residents by engaging local contractors. sewerage system that services Johansen Recreation Reserve, the Estimated cost: $845,000 Lake foreshore and Tranquil Waters Estimated timeframe: 18-24 months Caravan Park. The existing system is aged and has multiple blockages Millewa Resource Centre upgrades caused by tree roots. All amenities within the area would benefit from this upgrade, including This project would enhance facilities the Yacht Club, Cullulleraine Community Complex, Millewa within the Millewa Resource Centre. Resource Centre, the Caravan Park and facilities on the The former tennis clubrooms, this foreshore of the Lake. This project also includes upgrading building is currently leased to the an amenities block within the Caravan Park. Additional Millewa-Carwarp Landcare Group. funding is available through a State Government grant It is also used regularly to host which would be sought to complete these works. The a visiting Council library service. project would stimulate tourism and has the potential Upgrades proposed include to directly employ local residents by engaging local improved kitchen and toilet facilities. This project would contractors. improve access to local services and facilities and has the potential to directly employ residents by engaging local Estimated cost: $160,000 (additional funds being sought contractors. from State Government grant) Estimated cost: $30,000 Estimated timeframe: 6–8 months Estimated timeframe: 2-3 months

Enhancing Millewa events Support for drought affected families This project would inject additional Ongoing drought conditions have funding in to the Cullulleraine Music had a huge impact on dryland Festival, helping to boost the event farming in the Millewa, which in and ultimately increase its economic turn impacts the local economy return for the Millewa region. and the health and wellbeing of Funding could also be allocated to the wider community. This project support small community events or would provide outreach support and stage another major event in the services to families and individuals, Millewa such as a triathlon at Lake Cullulleraine. While in partnership with Rural Financial Counselling stimulating tourism and business in the region, this project Service. would also bring people together to connect and support each other. Estimated cost: $175,000 Estimated timeframe: 2-3 months Estimated cost: $150,000 Estimated timeframe: 2-12 months Sand drift management Millewa Pioneer Village and amenities This project would help address the ongoing sand drift issues impacting This project includes a number many roads in the Millewa. It would of upgrades that would enhance include $600,000 to remove sand amenities in Werrimull and at the drift from prioritised areas using Millewa Pioneer Village. These heavy earthmoving equipment. upgrades would benefit locals Permanent and semi-permanent as well as those visiting the area, barriers would be installed on making it more enticing to stop roadsides and private properties and a revegetation and enjoy the region, ultimately program would see roadsides and paddocks revegetated stimulating tourism. Proposed upgrades include: to help reduce future sand drift. This project has the • Install BBQ facilities and power at the rotunda near the potential to directly employ residents and engage local Werrimull Mandala of Discovery Walking Trail contractors to undertake the works. • Children’s playground at Werrimull Estimated cost: $1 million • Rainwater catchment and irrigation system at Millewa Estimated timeframe: 6 months Pioneer Village Estimated cost: $130,000 Rabbit management Estimated timeframe: 6 months This project would expand the rabbit management program in the Millewa Cullulleraine Community Complex and region. Currently, Council spends Netball Court approximately $150,000 annually to manage rabbits, in partnership This project would upgrade with the Millewa-Carwarp Landcare and improve the Cullulleraine Group. This project would allow Community Complex. Improvements more ripping and fumigation to be could be made to the toilets, football undertaken within road reserves beside Council roads. The and netball change rooms and other project has the potential to directly employ local residents areas. Outside works could include and engage local contractors. new directional signage, playground shade areas and the addition of a Estimated cost: $330,000 Estimated timeframe: 6 months