A Brumby Government grant of $50,000 will help Corangamite Shire Council develop a strategy and action plan for economic development in the Shire, the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said.
Announcing the grant today for the Corangamite Economic Development and Industrial Land Strategy, Ms Tierney said a substantial increase in major projects in the Shire offered opportunities for economic growth.
“The aim of the strategy is to foster business growth, investment attraction, create employment, enhance liveability and promote the future sustainability of the Corangamite Shire,” Ms Allan said. “The Strategy will identify local priorities and actions to leverage investment from major projects, and make the most of its competitive advantages.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to facilitate sustainable economic development in Victoria’s rural and regional communities.”
The $100,000 Corangamite Economic Development and Industrial Land Strategy would comprise two components:
o A strategy and action plan to guide Council’s approach to economic development; and
o An audit of industrial land and recommendations for land rezoning to cater for current and future demand.
The strategy will focus on key industries in Corangamite Shire and the broader Great South Coast such as agriculture, food manufacturing, tourism and new energy.
“Corangamite Shire is the dairy capital of Victoria, home to the Twelve Apostles, a major gas processing centre and a preferred location for a number of proposed wind farm developments,” Ms Tierney said.
“The strategy will provide clear direction for Council to build on these strengths and opportunities for the benefit of the Shire and the Great South Coast.”
It would also help address challenges such as skills shortages, an ageing and static population, and a shortage of industrial land.
“There is a great need for industrial zoned land, which is vital for the long-term sustainable growth of the Shire’s small country towns,” Ms Tierney said.
“There has been a significant increase in demand for suitably zoned industrial land in recent times, to the point where some of the Shire’s towns no longer have zoned industrial land.
“For example Timboon, which services the tourism, dairy and gas production industries, currently has no zoned industrial land.
“An industrial land analysis will ensure the shire’s nine small towns have adequate industrial land in appropriate locations so existing industries can expand and new businesses can start up.”
The Victorian Government’s funding for the strategy comes from its Planning for Growth program which aims to manage growth, respond to a changing environment and enhance productive, sustainable, liveable communities in Provincial Victoria.