LOCAL PROVISION ARARAT PLANNING SCHEME 21.01 MUNICIPAL PROFILE In providing a framework for planning, management and development of the Rural City of Ararat, it is imperative to develop an overall profile of the municipality in terms of its location and features, history, demographics, urban development, agriculture, economic development and environment. The following section of the MSS provides this overview. A snap shot of the municipality is also illustrated in Figure 1. 21.01-1 Location and Features The Ararat Rural City Council was formed in September 1994, from the former City of Ararat and Shire of Ararat. Later boundary adjustments resulted in the Armstrong area becoming part of the Rural City of Ararat and the area on the outskirts of Halls Gap being transferred to the Shire of Northern Grampians. A subsequent adjustment resulted in parts of the Shire of Moyne and the Shire of Southern Grampians being included in the Rural City of Ararat. Ararat Rural City had an estimated resident population of 11,762 people at the 1996 Census (ABS: June 1996). The municipality has an area of approximately 4,230 square kilometres. The Melbourne-Adelaide railway and the Western Highway bisect the municipality and converge at Ararat. The location of the municipality in respect to major regional, interstate and intrastate transport links gives it a strategic advantage in accessing major markets. Being located close to the Grampians and the Pyrenees Ranges, the municipality is also important for tourism and forms a “gateway” to these destinations from Melbourne. 21.01-2 Regional Context Ararat is the gateway to the Grampians and Pyrenees Ranges. The municipality is situated some 200 kilometres north-west of Melbourne near the Hopkins River and is one of the major stopping points between Melbourne and Adelaide. The region is traditionally associated with traditional agricultural activities, but is becoming known as a centre for quality cool climate wines through the emergence of viticulture in the Pyrenees and Grampians districts. Ararat is bounded to the north by the Northern Grampians Shire, to the west by the Southern Grampians Shire, to the south by Moyne Shire and to the east by Pyreness Shire. Most of the Rural City is within the Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment with a small area in the Wimmera Catchment. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.01 PAGE 1 OF 5 6 APRIL 2000 LOCAL PROVISION ARARAT PLANNING SCHEME SNAPSHOT OF THE RURAL CITY OF ARARAT MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.01 PAGE 2 OF 5 6 APRIL 2000 LOCAL PROVISION ARARAT PLANNING SCHEME 21.01-3 Historical Development European settlement commenced in the 1840s, with quite rapid pastoral development triggered by Major Mitchell’s favourable report of the splendid grasslands that existed east of the Grampians. In the mid to late 1850’s and particularly in 1857 to 1858, there was a pronounced gold rush, initiated by the discovery of the Canton alluvial fields by the Chinese. By 1858 an extensive township had developed and Ararat had assumed an important role as a strategic resting point for travellers to the west and as an important centre within its broader pastoral region. The strategic location of the town made it an ideal area for large regional institutions and the community was more than happy to accept these institutions, which provided employment for a dwindling post gold population. Ararat was one of a number of regional centres which actively sought an asylum in its district in the early 1860’s and was chosen ahead of Ballarat because it was located further from Melbourne. Traditionally Ararat has been a service centre with a high concentration of State government jobs, particularly relating to the prison, the railways and the Aradale psychiatric hospital. However, there has been a decline in employment in these State government functions, as a result of the centralisation and rationalisation of the activities. 21.01-4 Population Characteristics At the 1996 Census, the Rural City of Ararat had an estimated resident population of 11,762 people. Population numbers in the municipality have been declining in recent years with the average annual population change from 1981 to 1991 estimated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to have been -0.7%, and from 1991 to 1995 to have been -1.2%. Specifically, Census data collected and analysed by the ABS indicates that the Estimated Resident Population of the Rural City of Ararat was: 12,353 people at the 1986 Census; 12,300 people at the 1991 Census; and 11,762 people at the 1996 Census. 21.01-5 Towns and Villages Ararat has a population of approximately 8,500 people (ABS: 1996) and is situated 200 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, near the Hopkins River. The city is located on the Western Highway and on the Melbourne-Adelaide Railway via Geelong (National Rail Grid). Ararat also has direct rail links with Portland and western, north-western and central Victoria. Since the construction of the Ballarat bypass, Ararat is the first major stopping point for travellers from Melbourne. The Ararat Aerodrome and associated infrastructure, including four hangers, a terminal building, fuel store and amenities, is located on the eastern edge of town, adjacent to the Western Highway. Ararat is a very important service centre for the surrounding agricultural area. It has a full range of regional shopping, educational and recreational facilities. Lake Bolac has a population of approximately 250 people (ABS: 1996). The town is located in the southern area of the municipality, on the fertile western district plains. The lake itself is a popular location for camping, fishing and boating. Willaura (estimated population: 550 people) and Streatham are also located in the southern part of the municipality in an area of highly productive and versatile soils which support a wide range of agricultural products. The townships of Moyston (estimated population: 150 people) and Pomonal (estimated population: 150 people) to the west of Ararat are located at the foothills of the Grampians and offer opportunities for a rural residential lifestyle. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.01 PAGE 3 OF 5 6 APRIL 2000 LOCAL PROVISION ARARAT PLANNING SCHEME The township of Elmhurst (estimated population: 150 people) is located to the north-east of Ararat and also attracts people seeking a rural residential lifestyle given its affordable housing prices and short commuting distance from Ararat. 21.01-6 Agriculture The economy of Ararat Rural City is predominantly rural based and supports a diverse range of production. Agriculture in the municipality is dominated by the sheep industry, with high grade wool being the major agricultural product. However, grain, mutton, beef and wine production are also significant revenue generators. While landholders have commenced diversifying their operations and broadening the agricultural base, there are opportunities for further agricultural development and diversification, such as potatoes, onions, deer and emu within the municipality. The Rural City of Ararat has a temperate climate and suitable soil structure for grape growing and as such is emerging as an area for quality cool climate wines. Mount Chalambar, Cathcart Ridge Estate, Kimbarra, Grampians Estate, Montara Winery and Mount Langi Ghiran and a number of smaller vineyards and wineries are currently operating in the municipality. Bests and Southcorp also have vineyards in the municipality. 21.01-7 Economic Development The Rural City of Ararat is one of Victoria’s most productive and enterprising regions, particularly in the area of agriculture. The local economy is directly affected by the fortunes of the rural industry. Producer margins for farmers have been generally decreasing since 1982. Farms are getting bigger to become more viable, which has lead to less demand on the rural towns that service them. Traditional agricultural pursuits such as wool, cropping and grazing largely form the basis of the economy of the Rural City of Ararat. However, further diversity in the economic base, is being pursued through diversity in production together with the establishment of new industries, value-adding industries and the continuing expansion of the wine industry, tourism, recreation and leisure opportunities. There are a number of industries in the municipality, including Gasons, Ararat Abattoirs and AME Systems, Ararat Weaving and health care and psychiatric services, which are significant employers and revenue generators. The Rural City of Ararat possesses substantial lifestyle and strategic locational advantages which could be further capitalised upon by the Council to attract and facilitate further private investment in industry. The recent development of wine tourism has taken advantage of the emergence of the Pyrenees and Grampians districts as the centre for quality cool climate wines in Australia. There are a number of wineries currently operating in the municipality. In addition, the Southcorp winery development is located at Great Western, only 15 kilometres from the Rural City of Ararat, and there are a further eight wineries located less than half an hour’s drive from Ararat. Further growth in wine production is anticipated following the installation of the recycled water pipeline between Ararat and Great Western. The municipality has a number of natural tourist features and attractions, together with extensive recreation and leisure facilities in the towns. There are many tourism businesses ranging from wineries to numerous heritage and environmental facilities and attractions. To ensure the future of the tourism industry in the municipality, links between voluntary associations, tourism operators and local and regional marketing organisations (such as the Ararat Regional Tourism Board) need to be retained and enhanced. 21.01-8 Environment The Rural City of Ararat contains many areas which have significant natural landscapes and features of environmental value, including natural wetlands and waterways, archaeological and historic features. There are also significant areas of public land hosting MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.01 PAGE 4 OF 5 6 APRIL 2000 LOCAL PROVISION ARARAT PLANNING SCHEME native vegetation and wildlife habitat.