BARWON SOUTH WEST Activ it ies, achievements and future focus

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRWith its reputation for resilience, strong networks and a robust and diverse economy, the Barwon South West Region has every reason to be optimistic about continuing its significant role in the national economy.

The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Barwon South West Committee works with community, business and all levels of government to advance regional development in the local government areas of Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians and Glenelg.

The RDA Barwon South West Committee’s core responsibilities are:

• to be a key facilitator of strategic change and economic, social and environmental development in the region;

• to be the link between government, business and the community; and

• to facilitate whole of government responses to opportunities in the community.

The RDA Barwon South West Committee is made up of local leaders with broad and diverse skills and experience, as well as demonstrated networks within our region. They are appointed through an open and public Expression of Interest process. I would like to thank the Committee members for their time and dedication in contributing to the creation of an even better Barwon South West, as evidenced by the outcomes presented in this brochure.

This document looks back on the recent achievements of the RDA Barwon South West Committee, highlighting some of the stand-out projects that have helped make a difference to the people of the Barwon South West and positioned the region for future opportunities. These projects demonstrate the Committee has worked hard with a range of stakeholders to secure funding not just from the RDA, but also leveraged contributions from other sources to help make these projects a reality.

This year the RDA Barwon South West Committee will have a stronger focus on promoting regional economic development and facilitating the development of projects that foster economic growth in the region. The Committee will also continue to develop and nurture alliances and partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders to build momentum around key regional infrastructure priorities for public and private investment. I look forward to working with them towards this goal.

Bruce Anson, Chair, RDA Barwon South West Committee.

REAL OUTCOMES FOR SOUTH-WEST VICTORIABy supporting and collaborating with regional alliances and business the RDA Barwon South West Committee has helped successfully advocate for important regional development projects which have secured

GOVERNMENT FUNDING OF $26.6 MILLION TOWARDS TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $128 MILLION2

A REGION OF OPPORTUNITY Since first European settlement in the 1830s, the Barwon South West region of Victoria was renowned for exceptional wool production, pastoral and agricultural activities.

With the addition of ports in Geelong and Portland, the region built on its strengths to develop strong textiles manufacturing, dairy and beef and food processing industries.

The first half of the 20th century saw the growth of large scale machinery, transport, metals and petroleum product manufacturing and the emergence of our tourism industry.

Restructuring and diversification during the late twentieth century saw the start of the decline of some traditional manufacturing, but also the emergence of advanced manufacturing and service based industries, which are being supported by the region’s strong health and educational assets.

This rich economic history and ever-improving road, rail, sea and air infrastructure assets provide the foundation for new growth trends in the south-west of Victoria.

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The Barwon South West Regional Strategic Plan 2012-2015 draws upon the research, consultation, objectives and priorities of the G21 and Great South Coast regional plans, to identify and address issues and opportunities common to the entire Barwon South West region. The Plan is framed upon goals common to both the G21 Geelong Region Plan and Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plans:

• A RESILIENT AND DIVERSE ECONOMY

• AN EXEMPLAR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

• EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY

• A CONNECTED BARWON SOUTH WEST

• EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES

The Plan presents an ambitious agenda to deliver real and lasting growth across the entire Barwon South West region. The RDA Barwon South West Committee advances this agenda by advocating for sub-regional priorities, and also by focusing on seven key areas in which we can add the most value on a whole-of-region basis. These key focus areas are:

1. FOOD AND FIBRE 2. DIGITAL ECONOMY 3. SKILLS AND EDUCATION 4. ENERGY 5. TOURISM 6. POPULATION GROWTH 7. JOBS FOR THE FUTURE

PLANNING IN THE BARWON SOUTH WEST

BUDJ BIM MASTERPLAN

GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOURISM DESTINATION

MANAGEMENT PLAN & REGIONAL TOURISM

STRATEGY

PORTLAND CRUISE VESSEL STUDY

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Building on our tourism strengthsBy 2022, we aspire to attract no less than nine million visitors per annum to the Barwon South West region, generating direct tourism expenditure of at least $3 billion.

The Great Ocean Road attracts more than half of all international tourist overnight stays and more domestic tourism expenditure than any other location in Victoria. In addition, our region boasts deep sea ports in Portland and Geelong, both capable of hosting passenger liners. Despite this, our tourism industry currently employs a disproportionately low percentage of our workforce.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDWe have supported a number of strategic planning initiatives to support tourism development across the region, such as:

• The Portland Cruise Vessel Feasibility Study which led to an upgrade of infrastructure and helped add the Port of Portland as a cruise ship destination.

• The Budj Bim Master Plan which identifies a staged approach to appropriate infrastructure improvements to support the development of the National Heritage Landscape’s tourism potential.

• The Great Ocean Road Tourism Destination Management Plan and Regional Tourism Strategy which prioritised tourism projects and led to a $50m upgrade of the Great Ocean Road by the State and Commonwealth governments.

THE NEXT 12 MONTHS We will work with tourism organisations and stakeholders to advance:- Priority initiatives in the final Shipwreck Coast Master Plan that can lead to new private

sector investment- The Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Strategy which will guide product development,

investment and marketing initiatives for the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board- Business cases to deliver infrastructure and facilitate new investment in and around the

region’s nature based tourism assets, such as significant tracks and trails.

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Tourism

LAKE HAMILTON REGIONAL ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND & FORESHORE REDEVELOPMENT

BANYUL WARRI FIELDS YOUTH RECREATION AND PLAY ZONE

KARDINIA PARK STADIUM

REDEVELOPMENT (STAGE 3)

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POINT LONSDALE VILLAGE FORESHORE

REVITALISATION

LEOPOLD COMMUNITY HUB (STAGE 1)

THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will continue to support and facilitate:- Priority projects that will accelerate jobs and population growth across and within the

western corridor- A local government project to better understand population growth levers for the region and

facilitate new initiatives- Priorities and actions required to support future growth as identified in the Great South

Coast and G21 regional plans and the G21 Growth Implementation Plan.

Supporting population growthBy 2022 we expect to have a regional population of not less than 480,000 people. The percentage of bottom quartile income earners in the region will be no higher than the state average.

Population growth brings with it increased spending, particularly in the areas of housing, transport, education, retail and health. It will also bring additional labour and professional skills to the region. The economic challenge is to ensure that the benefits of population growth are shared across the region and that the growth supports skill and workforce development agendas.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDThe RDA Barwon South West Committee strives to make our region’s cities and towns more attractive to residents, visitors and potential new residents by building on the enviable lifestyle for which we are renowned. We have supported investment in key projects, such the G21 Regional Public Transport Strategy, as well as advocating for successful applications to the Regional Development Australia Fund including:

• The $46m Kardinia Park Stadium Stage 3 redevelopment

• Construction of the $16m Leopold Community Hub

• A regional all abilities playground in Hamilton

• The Point Lonsdale Village Foreshore Redevelopment

• Stage 2 development of the Banyul Warri Fields (Torquay) Youth Recreation and Play Zone.

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PopulationGrowth

GEELONG LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTRE

GREAT SOUTH COAST EDUCATION ATTAINMENT

BARWON SOUTH WEST HEALTH &

WELLBEING WORKFORCE

STRATEGY8

THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will:- facilitate improved collaboration between local governments, peak associations and

government departments to identify and implement initiatives that address workforce and skill development issues across the region

- support the Great South Coast Education Attainment working group to deliver the Beyond the Bell initiative which aims to raise Year 12 attainment outcomes and will identify targets for improved workforce outcomes.

By 2022 we expect the region’s education attainment levels to be at least the equivalent of the Victorian average. We will not accept inadequate supply of skilled labour as an obstacle to realising the growth and development of our key industry sectors.

The Barwon South West region has lower than average Year 12 and tertiary education retention rates. At the 2011 Census only 25.4% people aged 25 to 34 had a bachelor degree or higher, compared to the Victorian average of 36.4% and only 1.8% of people aged 25 or over were attending a university or other tertiary educational institution (Victoria 2.6%).

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDThe RDA Barwon South West Committee recognises the need to identify current and emerging skills shortages and to improve the region’s low Year 12 completion rates. We have supported a number of projects to address these issues including:

• Advocacy for Regional Development Australia Fund investment in the $45m Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.

• Hosting of a forum and a data collection project to prepare the Great South Coast to address low Year 12 or equivalent education attainment in the sub-region.

• Support for the Barwon South West Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy.

Improving skills and education

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Skills &Education

GROWING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA

WESTVIC DAIRY – FILLING THE GLASS STUDY

AVALON AIRPORT REGIONAL LIVESTOCK FREIGHT STUDY AND

LIVE EXPORT STRATEGY

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THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will:- Help facilitate a new Food Strategy and Action Plan for the Great South Coast region- Work with the region to develop trade links in emerging markets and capitalise on the

opportunities of the Asian Century- Work with Stakeholders to identify projects and advance business cases for initiatives that

can deliver more efficient movement of freight to export gateways.

Boosting food and fibre productionBy 2022 we expect the Barwon South West region to be able to achieve a fifty percent increase in the production of food and fibre, taking it to at least $3.286 billion.The agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry employs more than 10,000 people in the Barwon South West region. The dairy industry produces a quarter of the nation’s milk. The region also boasts extensive beef and sheep grazing, broad acre cropping, forestry and wild catch fishing. The sector is highly export orientated with most of our beef, lamb, wool, wheat and dairy products sold to overseas markets. These markets have the potential to increase as a result of the growing world population and changing food choices in Asia.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDWe have supported leading industry stakeholders to develop strategies to capitalise on the region’s strengths:

• The WestVic Dairy – Filling the Glass study which has informed the development of potential trade and investment projects in the region.

• Growing the Opportunities for Trade with China which included a regional roadshow forum with the Australia China Business Council to inform businesses in the region with close to 100 attendees across the region.

• Avalon Airport Regional Livestock Freight Study and Live Export Strategy.

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Food& Fibre

DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES IN WEARABLE SENSORS STUDY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT &

COMMERCIALISATION STRATEGY

G21 DIGITAL STRATEGY

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THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will:- support the development of a Great South Coast Digital Strategy- review the recommendations of the G21 Digital Strategy and prioritise actions- continue to engage with service providers, community and business stakeholders of our NBN

release sites and determine how best to assist NBN roll-out throughout the region.

We expect the entire Barwon South West region to achieve at least the Victorian average for new broadband application development from industry and take up of the NBN offer from homes and businesses.

Access to fast broadband infrastructure is a critical component of the Barwon South West’s regional economy, liveability and social cohesiveness. It will enable better access to education and skills training, particularly for those in rural and remote regional locations and will reduce inequality of access to community services. It will facilitate e-health services, the transition to a low carbon economy and national productivity imperatives associated with an ageing population.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDAccess to improved ICT services is critical to business competitiveness in domestic and international markets. The RDA Barwon South West Committee has supported projects aimed at establishing the region as a key Victorian location for ICT capability, investment and employment. They include:

• The G21 Digital Strategy which aims to raise digital opportunity awareness and encourage innovation

• The ICT Research & Development Commercialisation Strategy

• An investigation into commercial opportunities for wearable sensors and computing technologies.

Embracing the digital economy

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A POTENTIAL MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY IN THE

BARWON SOUTH WEST IS READY AND WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT.

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THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will support the development of the energy industry by:- supporting a state and local government forum to improve policies, guidelines and

information sharing, to create an investment-friendly environment- working with industry bodies to identify opportunities for local business participation in

energy projects, and opportunities to promote the region’s attributes to potential investors.

We aim to be Victoria’s leading lower emission energy generating region, producing at least 20% of the state’s renewable energy supply by 2022, with local industry and services directly benefiting from investment in the sector.The Barwon South West region has proven potential to become Australia’s alternative energy hub with wind energy projects with an investment value totalling more than $9 billion in various stages of planning. With the right investment conditions, opportunities exist across the region to develop projects which exploit the naturally abundant energy sources including wind, geothermal, gas-fired, bio-diesel, wave powered and waste-to-energy power generation.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDThe development of this industry would be a great economic and energy asset not only to the people of the Barwon South West, but also to the people of Victoria. During its construction between 2010 to 2013, the $1bn Macarthur wind farm directly employed over 400 people and was estimated to have injected over $120m of value add into the regional economy.

The RDA Barwon South West Committee will continue to advocate for enabling policy that will lead to new investment in the renewable energy industry for our region. We will also concentrate effort on ensuring local businesses benefit from the development of this industry.

Powering up for Victoria

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GEELONG CENTRE FOR EMERGING

INFECTIOUS DISEASE (CONSTRUCTION OF

RESEARCH HUB)16

THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS The RDA Barwon South West Committee will:- further strengthen its links with industry to capture intelligence and strongly advocate for

projects that create jobs- advance business cases and support projects that facilitate significant new investment and

employment outcomes in our areas of competitive advantage. - Prepare a Barwon South West Future Economy Report to identify where jobs growth will

occur and identify levers and initiatives that can stimulate further investment.

We will benefit from the delivery of significant employment enabling infrastructure investment in the Barwon South West and we will skill and prepare our people to take advantage of new employment opportunities.

Over the past decade, the Barwon South West region has experienced a higher rate of structural change than the rest of the state and regional Victoria – due primarily to shifts in the manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors. Service-oriented and population driven sectors such as health care, retail trade, construction and education are now key employers, although manufacturing and agriculture are expected to remain the largest employing sectors in the region for the foreseeable future.

HOW WE HAVE HELPEDThe RDA Barwon South West Committee acknowledges the region is going through a period of transformation following the closure of major employers in recent years. However, there has and will continue to be significant new investment by industry and governments in the region and we are determined to boost investment and grow employment opportunities in our region’s existing and emerging areas of competitive advantage. We played an important advocacy role, which helped secure $3m from the Commonwealth towards the construction of a $12m research hub at the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease, which will stimulate further biotech investment.

Jobs for the future

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Jobs forthe future

RDA Barwon South Westproject prioritisation process

ASSESS

IDENTIFY

PRIORITISE

IMPLEMENT

MEASURE

Current issues and opportunities.

Impacts, influence and outcomes.

Projects that address the objectives of the RDA Barwon South West Regional Strategic Plan.

Activities that are: a) approved by the G21 or Great South Coast sub-regional alliances; or b) address the objectives/priorities of this plan.

Actions that will address the unique circumstances of our region; align with Australian, Victorian and local government priorities; and have good opportunities for partnerships and funding.

ACTIVITY SUMMARYGreat Ocean Road Tourism Destination Management Plan

Impact Study of Growth in the Western Victorian and South East South Australian Dairy Industry

Barwon South West Tertiary Education Attainment Strategy - Stage 1 & 2

Budj Bim Masterplan

Portland Cruise Vessel Study

Barwon South West Region Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy

Barwon South West Information Technology Research & Development and Commercialisation Strategy

Great South Coast Family Violence Strategy

Barwon South West Region Strategic Integrated Transport Review

Geelong Central Transportation Links

Growing Business Opportunities in China

Avalon Airport - Masterplan 3D Animation

Surf City Redevelopment

Great South Coast Pillar Group Establishment

Barwon South West Regional Trails Development, Management & Promotion Project

Development of G21 Regional Public Transport Strategy

Disruptive Technology Advances In Wearable Sensors - Investigative Study

Increase Farm Productivity Through Injection of Organic Wastes Into Subsoils

Regional Livestock Freight Study and Live Export Strategy - Avalon Airport

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Strategy

Strengthening Our Future Workforce - Promoting Educational Attainment

Barwon South West Investment Management Standard Training

G21 Digital Strategy

Linking Northern Geelong and Western Melbourne Employment & Settlement Trends to Economic Development (Project partnership with RDA Western Melbourne)

Scoping & Implementation Plan for Grampians Way Tourist Road (Project partnership with RDA Grampians)

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA BARWON SOUTH WEST COMMITTEE

BRUCE ANSONBruce is the CEO of Warrnambool City Council and is a Fellow of LGPro. Representing the region on a range of forums including Regional Cities Victoria Group, Deakin University Leadership Group and the Great South Coast CEO’s Group, Bruce has a good understanding of the issues driving coastal cities as well as the challenges facing rural economies.

Chair Co-Deputy Chair Co-Deputy Chair

ED COPPEAs an elected councillor, former mayor and principal of his own firm, Ed has played a major role in the economic development of Geelong. A former senior executive with Mars Incorporated, Ed is also Chair of the Geelong Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Director of the Geelong Community Foundation.

PETER DORLINGPeter is the Business Manager for Avalon Airport Australia, where his role is to explore and harness local and international business development for the airport. Peter is a Board Member of the Victorian Regional Channels Authority, a Trust Member of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and is Chairman of the Geelong Northern Futures Program.

ELAINE CARBINESElaine is the Chief Executive Officer, G21 Geelong Region Alliance. Previous roles have included senior positions at Parks Victoria and as State Member for Geelong Province, where she was Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Environment.

Elaine is a current board member of the Karingal Foundation and G Force.

ELIZABETH COKERLibby is a second term Councillor and Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire with extensive experience in media, strategic communications and education across the Barwon South West. She represents Victoria on the National Seachange Taskforce, and is a member of the Municipal Association of Victoria.

RUTH GSTREINCurrent councillor and former mayor at Corangamite Shire Council, Ruth Gstrein is the Office Manager at Bostocks Creek Design and Drafting. She is also a serving board member of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation and the Camperdown P-12 College..

GEOFFREY WHITEGeoffrey has been a councillor at Glenelg Shire Council since 1997, including four terms as mayor. He was the Foundation Chair and is now Deputy Chair of the Rail Freight Alliance (26 Rural & Regional Local Government Councils from Western Victoria and Southern NSW) and is a board member of the Committee for Portland.

ANDREW WESTLAKEAndrew is Group Operations Manager at Midfield Meat Group Warrnambool. He is also a member of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation Environment Committee and a graduate and fellow member of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (2007).

DR ANN HODGKINSONPh.D (Sydney), M.Ec (Adel), B.Ec (Qld). Ann has had a long academic teaching and research career specialising in regional economics, industrial organisation and environmental economics. She has worked extensively with local government and has undertaken a number of research projects with regional councils.

DR KAYE SCHOLFIELDKaye is the senior manager of RMIT University’s outreach centre in Hamilton. She is also involved in many community committees including the Glenelg and Southern Grampians LLEN, Western District Health Service’s Community Advisory Committee, GHCMA Advisory Board and the Great South Coast Strengthening Communities Pillar.

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www.barwonsouthwest .org.au

Regional Development Australia Barwon South West:

• Provides advice about our region to the Victorian and Australian Governments

• Works closely with the G21 & Great South Coast regional alliances

• Provides better access to Victorian and national expertise, experience and resources

• Supports evidence based opportunities

• Links government, business and the community

• Progresses important regional projects faster

You can help us to advance our region by:

• Telling us about your efforts to advance the focus areas in our region

• Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about the latest collaborations

• Join the Barwon South West sub-regional alliances: G21.com.au and greatsouthcoast.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2014

Contact us

The Executive Officer Regional Development Victoria Telephone: 03 5215 6000 rda.barwonsouthwest@rdv.vic.gov.au

For more information about the priorities and projects of Regional Development Australia Barwon South West:

• Visit us at barwonsouthwest.org.au

• Subscribe to our news bulletin