Sunset Strip Village Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy

2018 – 2023.

SUNSET STRIP PROGRESS

ASSOCIATION INC. (9895710)

PO BOX 7712 SUNSET STRIP 2879 SUNSET STRIP CONSERVATION INC. (1600005)

PHOTO: Lake Menindee filling at the inlet regulator in 2012

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Problem: Sunset Strip Village beside a dry Lake Menindee and the Darling River in Outback NSW is doing it tough. The drought economic impact for 3.5 years, fish kills and the drying of the Menindee Lakes and Darling River have resulted in the loss of 28 permanent families involved in the agricultural industry and declining school students. The psychological impact is considerable with higher rates of depression and anxiety with the uncertainty, reduced house valuations and a lack of water lifestyle amenities.

Solution: The community disaster recovery response is the Sunset Strip Village – Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy 2018 – 2023. The strategy outcome is to sustain social bonds, reverse population decline, an investment in community infrastructure and an economic legacy with the Village becoming a desirable destination to visit, work, live and play. The solution taps into feedback from prospective home purchasers, tourism indicators, builds on the organizational strengths, delivering a longevity legacy.

Customers: Real estate agents advise that housing sales, liveability and lifestyle are linked. SSPAI needs to address the unattractiveness physical environment and rundown public infrastructure. Charity Car Rallies bring 3,000 visitors to Outback NSW. The addition of the Sunset Strip Boulevard – Walk of Fame and infrastructure will make Sunset Strip an overnight stay. Variety Australia is supportive of the SSB project. Menindee, Copi Hollow and Station Residents are the Village neighbors. An opportunity is to entice these populations to Sunset Strip for lifestyle options. Broken Hill Weekenders can be attracted with a lifestyle investment in a bocce pitch, darts, children’s adventure playground, outdoor fitness trail, bird watching hide and star gazing shelter. The closure of the nearby scout camp is an opportunity to recruit the twenty user groups.

Expected Results: A community transition to a sustainable population through the sale of 30 vacant homes. The Greening of the Village, Community Foreshore Park Project and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Project will be completed by September 2020. The Walk of Fame an iconic iInstagramable registered landmark and charity car rallies will bring 45,000 visitors delivering SSPAI $18,713 of additional income.

SSPAI Organizational Capacities: SSPAI Committee of Management key drivers are retired persons with industry and management expertise in the financial, project management, NGO social businesses and community management fields. From 2011 to 2018, SSPAI has project managed $514,347 of grant funding, in­kind contributions are in excess of $800,000. In 2014, SSPAI was the NSW Best Manager of an NSW Crown Reserve.

COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC & LIVEABILITY

– PROJECTS & STRATEGIES.

COMMUNITY – LANDCARE –

DROUGHT PROOFING,

LAND RESTORATION PROJECTS

2019 – Sept 2020.

ECONOMIC – SOCIAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 2018 ­ 2022

ECONOMIC – SUNSET STRIP BOULEVARD PROJECT

ECONOMIC – TOURISM STRATEGY 2018 ­ 2023

LIVEABILITY ­ SOCIAL CONNECTIONS STRATEGY 2018 ­ 2022

SUNSET STRIP – COMMUNITY PLANNING FORUMS

SUNSET STRIP VILLAGE COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC & LIVEABILITY STRATEGY – 2018 ­ 2023

LIVEABILITY ­HEALTHY WELLBEING STRATEGY

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PARTNERS

COMMUNITY, BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS

SUNSET STRIP PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC. SUNSET STRIP CONSERVATION INC.

COMMUNITY – INFRASTRUCTURE

RENEWAL PROJECTS

Completed – June 2020.

LIVEABILITY – YOUTH LINK PROJECT

2021 ­ 2023

COMMUNITY­ FORESHORE PARK PROJECT

GOVT/BUSINESPARTNERS

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths:

Since 1967 ­ SSPAI has been providing community services and operating social businesses. Providing services like a Council but without paid staff and budget. It has an organisation culture based on volunteering with no paid staff. In 2014, SSPAI was the NSW Best Manager of an NSW Crown Reserve. Since 2010, SSPAI has been an incorporated body under the NSW Dept. of Fair Trading. It has assets approaching $500k, contracts, earthmoving plant and buildings. 1996 ­ grant funding totalled $1.1 million ­ $770k cash, 45 employees for six months. Grant funding has risen from 2014 ­ $189k to 2019 ­ $256k. Property owners have a high percentage of experienced persons drawn from business, management or skilled tradespersons. Social businesses – income increased ($22k ­ $35 p/a) with improved contracts. Media profile, partner network and management standards are significant factors.

Weaknesses: Population – permanent residents decline results in less persons able to volunteer. Population impacted by external forces – government decisions to drain Lake Menindee. Weekenders from Broken Hill in decline with change of working conditions and dry lake. Financial – licenced bar has lower attendance down from 60 to 15 persons on Saturdays. A small community with a risk of personality conflicts impacting on broader community. SSPAI – all functions and groups under the one umbrella body – splintering off of groups. Government support and services based on Census numbers – reduced population. Limited impact on government lobbying due to small population base. CDS Council – not prepared to fund Village services as compared to other communities.

Opportunity:Outback location – peaceful, low­cost community, recreational facilities, Rural adversity and government inaction have brought community together. Groundwater bore provides guaranteed water access to start greening of the Village. Recreation ­ re­focus from water activities to golf, bocce, housie, entertainment, etc. Health and wellness focus – fitness activity stations, safe walking trail, bocce pitch, etc. Improved community infrastructure to attract house buyers, weekenders and tourists. Pooncarie to Menindee Road – $30 million funding secured to seal the Darling River Run that will provide a circular route from Mildura/Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth/Sydney via Sunset Strip and Broken Hill. Sunset Strip Boulevard can expect 45,000 visitors per annum if it has an iconic attraction – Sunset Strip Boulevard – Walk of Fame, iconic mural, art installations, etc. Improved tourist facilities – public toilet, information tank, activities, caravan parking, etc. Improved children’s recreational options – adventure playground. Liquor NSW – approval of a limited­on premises licence to extend bar trading extended from 52 days to 360 days a per annum as demand increases or special events. Extra income $15,213 p/a.Menindee, Copi Hollow and Station Residents – recruit to attend sporting, entertainment events. The closure of the Scout Camp is an option to recruit the past twenty user groups.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Threats: Rural disaster adversities – lake drying, drought 3.5 years, fish kills, population decline. Increase in higher rates of depression and anxiety with uncertainty, adversities, etc. SSPAI Membership – gradual declined from 2012 – 131 to 67 persons in 2019. Population – 28 permanent households lost in 2018. Tandou (Websters) close their agricultural operations – 10 employee houses vacant. House valuations – decline from $140k to $90k since 2017 due to lakes drying cycles. Holiday rental cottages no longer have tenants during the holiday periods. Rental homes no longer required by NSW Teacher Housing Authority or agriculture. Loss of skills volunteers from the Committee of Management and volunteer helpers. Loss of social business contracts – CDS Council, Australia Post and Local Land Services. Grant funding – change of government priorities and the political budget cycle. Liquor NSW imposes licence conditions due to breaches or non­compliance. Current residents and property owners not support the changes and more tourists.

MOVING FORWARD

Since 2014, SSPAI has focused on obtained grant funding ($189k) to undertake community infrastructure renewal with further funding ($256k) in 2019. In 2018, SSPAI adopted the Sunset Strip Village Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy revising its planning to focus on sustainability in the face of the rural adversity hurdles. The economic diversification, infrastructure renewal, alternative recreational pursuits and transition into tourism will make a real and lasting difference strengthening this outback community. It will require capital investment in recreational, tourism attractions and infrastructure to cater for tourists, weekend visitors and stimulate housing sales and the holiday cottage market. This infrastructure renewal will attain our liveability goal to make our Village the desirable destination again to work, live and play.

MARKET FOCUS

Housing Sales and Liveability: Real estate agents have emphasized the need to focus on lifestyle options and Village information. Prospective buyers have commented on the unattractiveness of the physical environment with lack of community lawns, rundown public infrastructure and lake water uncertainty. Positive comments such as the cheapest houses in NSW, livability aspects such as the golf course, friendly people at the Post office and the Saturday night social. Recently, two house sales were to a couple under 40 from a rural coastal location, two seniors from Sydney reported their purchase was influenced by the cheap housing, rural location, recreational facilities and the opportunity to volunteers in a friendly community. Another house has become an artist in residence retreat with a writer committing to a six­month lease. In 2017, SSPAI adopted a re­purposing of the Village with an investment in infrastructure renewal and livability improvements to sell the 30 vacant houses and stimulate rental holiday cottage market. The Drought Proofing and Liveability Project stages 1,2,3 (2017­2020) has delivered a groundwater bore that will allow the Greening of the Village. The Community Foreshore Park Project (2017­2020) will improve the Community Centre Precinct with 6,000 sqm of lawns. The Community Infrastructure Renewal Project (2018­2020) will deliver Community Centre improvements valued at $109k. In 2019, five homes were sold out of the estimated 30 houses available for purchase. Village Information Booklet of 25 pages has been piloted and ready for printing and distribution to real estate agents for prospective buyers in 2020.

Charity Car Rallies: For twenty years, a major visitor segment has been the charity car rallies which bring 2,500 to 3,000 visitors per annum to Outback NSW. Currently, Sunset Strip Village is not a rally control point or overnight stay. However, the addition of the Sunset Strip Boulevard – Walk of Fame and infrastructure will make Sunset Strip an overnight stay. SSPAI would benefit by the profit from catering, project donations and holiday cottage rentals. Variety Australia has rallies coming into Outback NSW alternative years from their branches in Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland. Variety Australia is supportive of the SSB project and will support charity rally visits. The involvement of Variety Australia as a partner will ensure the longevity and sustainability as an SSB custodian. Variety Club rallies will invite entertainment industry personalities to add their hands in cement plus an embedded bronze star. The infrastructure upgrade includes an outdoor stage for outdoor concerts (Music and Poetry on the Strip, etc.) by entrepreneurial promoters who are looking for iconic venues and visiting charity rally cars.

MARKET FOCUS

Tourism Industry: In 2019, SSPAI formed a Tourism Association as a sub­group to focus on tourism facilities and attractions. The West Darling Region attracts 200k visitors per annum with 45k travelling to Menindee/Sunset Strip. In 2020, media reporting of the drought, Darling River and Menindee lakes drying have resulted in a large downturn in tourist numbers during the winter period. Currently, the predominate tourism groups are the over 55 years who visit as part of a bus tour, a tag along group or with their own caravan. They are looking to follow the Explorer Trail of Charles Sturt (1845), Burke and Wills (1860) and Ernest Giles (1865) who travelled Outback NSW. They make use of free camping sites around the Menindee Lakes, stay for extended periods but have limited spending. An increasing tourism visitor segment to Outback NSW is young families during the school holidays drawn from Queensland, NSW, SA and Victoria. Destination NSW data indicates the emergence of this traveller segment with their camper vans and four­wheel drive vehicles seeking the authentic Outback experience. The Road Trip Strategy of Destination NSW is tapping into this traveller market and highlighting the Outback experience. Our own experience is the young family market is keen to visit Outback NSW with its dirt roads and rugged environment. The Village social businesses will gain an additional income streams ($3,5000 p/a) through a registered trademark on SS Boulevard) driving merchandize sales. Our Strategy document has identified required tourist infrastructure to cater for the travellers needs such as caravan parking bay, caravan turning circles, public toilets and children’s adventure playground. An iconic visitor attraction will lengthen the Outback stay and the Sunset Strip Boulevard ­ Walk of Fame – The Movies & Stars of Outback Australia with an outdoor fitness trail, star grazing shelter, bird watching hide, Arboretum of fauna and flora of Outback NSW, indigenous protected site and the Lake Menindee viewing platform.

MARKET FOCUS

Menindee, Copi Hollow and Station Residents: Sunset Strip Village is located twenty kilometers from Menindee with a population of 500 persons. Copi Hollow a caravan park with twenty holiday houses is seven kilometers away with no permanent population but weekenders drawn from Broken Hill 90 kilometers away. Also, pastoral grazing properties surround the Village with a limited population. There is an opportunity to entice these populations to Sunset Strip. Both communities no longer have a golf course or darts competition and a dry Darling River has reduced water­based activities. In May 2018, SSPAI commenced a social housie activity on Wednesdays drawing 70% of attendees from Menindee and raising revenue of $7,000 per annum. It has become a social interactive activity building bonds between the two communities. A major impediment to golf competition participation is the drink driving risk. Charity golfing days have drawn up to 25 persons from Menindee. Liquor NSW has approved a limited­on premises licence to extend bar trading extended from 52 days to 360 days a per annum as demand increases or for special events. This licence will give flexibility to trade on social housie days, charity rally visits, outdoor stage events, charity golfing functions or weekend visits by Broken Hill based social clubs. The addition of a bocce pitch, a dart competition, pizza oven, multi­purpose room and outdoor stage entertainment events would take advantage of the changed bar licencing and boost income by $15,213 p/a. It supports the liveability goal to make Sunset Strip Village the desirable destination again to work, live and play.

Broken Hill Weekenders and Groups: The existing recreational facilities are a nine­hole sand golf course, tennis court and water­based activities when Lake Menindee is able to draw water from the Darling River. The repurposing focus requires new recreational infrastructure investment in a bocce pitch, darts, children’s adventure playground, outdoor fitness trail, bird watching hide and star gazing shelter. An infrastructure investment of $12,500 to the golf course has resulted in two Broken Hill golf groups to commit to quarterly interclub challenge. The Broken Hill Napradek Club has committed to weekend visits when the bocce pitch is installed in 2020. These visiting sporting groups can stay in rental holiday cottages and are not impacted by drink driving limitations. Their involvement is a boost to the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of the community. They will contribute to the goal of boosting bar income by $15,213 p/a. The closure of the nearby scout camp is an opportunity to recruit the twenty user groups. St Johns Cadets have proposed holding their annual camp. Groups such as guides, scouts, Rotary, Landcare, Army reserve, SES, etc, would have the additional benefit of contributing to a service project such as tree planting while visiting. Aged and disability groups have visited for day visits but generate no income. However, they raise the Village profile through their social media reporting of activities.

OUTCOMES

Achievements to­date: Associated projects in the Village Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy.

2019 Achievements:Community Foreshore Park Project – 80% completed. Completion date – June 2020. Landcare Drought Proofing Project – stages 1,2,3 completed. Stage 4 needs funding.Community Infrastructure Renewal Project – 70% completed. Completion June 2020.SSB Walk of Fame – partners secured – Variety Australia, University of Technology Sydney, Broken Hill Art Exchange, West Darling Arts and state and federal MP’s.SSB Walk of Fame – site inspections by NSW Dept of Premiers & Cabinet and RDA.

Economic – Population – sale of five houses to new permanent residents. ­ Village Information Booklet – 25 pages piloted and ready for printing.

Liveability Social Connections – social housie commenced and five visiting golfing weekends.

Achievements to February 2020: Tourism – public toilet block – priority status for funding by Destination NSW. Children’s Adventure Playground – priority status – NSW Premier and Cabinet. Pooncarie to Menindee Road – $30 million funding secured to seal the Darling River Run that will provide a circular route from Mildura/Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth/Sydney via Sunset Strip and Broken Hill. Liquor NSW – approval of a limited­on premises licence to extend bar trading extended from 52 times to 360 days a per annum as demand increases or special events.

Future Projects ­ Sunset Strip Village Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy. Sunset Strip Boulevard – Walk of Fame – Films and Stars of Outback Australia. Children’s Adventure Playground. Tourist infrastructure – public toilet, caravan parking bays and turning circles. Fitness activity stations installed along Sunset Strip Boulevard. West Darling Heritage Trail – education resource and acknowledgement of contributions. A National Street Art Prize for an Iconic Mural on the Boulevard. Geo Trails Project ­ Menindee Lake (Sunset Strip) Aboriginal Protected Area. Native Wildflower Display. Star Gazing Shelter and Bird Watching Hide. Art and Heritage Park.

OUTCOMES FROM SUNSET STRIP BOULEVARD – WALK OF FAME PROJECT

Individuals Legacy: Social and physical outcomes with a safe walking trail that will stimulate the senses. Charity car rallies – five rallies per year that make Sunset Strip an overnight stay. Community members and visitors – gain the sense of vibrancy and positivity. Community members working with UTS students on design, marketing and management. Project Management Group – volunteers from key stakeholders and the community. Confidence to adapt to climate change challenges strengthening cohesion and sustainability.

Indigenous Australians Legacy: Murdi Paaki (REDIE) – indigenous employment and skills application opportunities. Menindee Land Council – confidence to build homes on five vacant house blocks.

Drought Affected Businesses Legacy: engineering (2), electrical contractor (1), rural supplier (1), builder (1), quarry (1),

SSPAI social business – earthmoving (1), designer (1), concrete batcher (1).

Drought Affected Tourism Operators and Tourists Legacy: Walk of Fame – extending the length of stays and increased visitation – 45,000 visitors p/a. Tourists have an Instagramable art installations that promote their senses and film history. Tourists and the community have a greater awareness of the Australian film history. Younger families – identified by Destination NSW Road Trip Strategy – a new attraction. Holiday Cottages – ten cottages with an increase in rentals, vibrancy and greater exposure. Holiday Cottages – usage by artists and writers in residence plus charity car rally participants

Film & Entertainment Industry Legacy. Promotion to the film and entertainment industry to consider the West Darling Region. Variety Australia – SSB custodian acknowledging their entertainment industry peers. BHAEI/WDAI – SSB artistic legacy will complement the Desert Equinox Environmental Art Program, Heels Festival (Pricilla QD), Perfect Light Festival & the White Cliffs Arts Festival.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM SUNSET STRIP BOULEVARD – WALK OF FAME PROJECT

Community Benefits Walk of Fame – an iconic Instagramable landmark that promote visitation across the world. Community has a sustainable population through the sale of 30 vacant homes. Transition and re­purposing of the Village in the face of rural disaster adversities. Motivation for other projects in the Village Community, Economic and Liveability Strategy. Greening of the Village – Drought Proofing Project ­ Landcare restoration sites and

6,000 sqm of community lawn – improvement of the physical landscape and liveability.

Community Groups – SSPAI Benefits. SSPAI social businesses – licenced bar patronage increases from 15 to 65 persons weekly. Income of $15,213 per annum with longer bar trading extended from 52 times to 360 days a per annum as demand increases or special events. More funding for community services. SSPAI social businesses – a registered trademark that generate souvenir sales of $3,500 p/a. Charity car rallies – five rallies per year that make Sunset Strip an overnight stay. Broken Hill Art Exchange – the art installations attract artists for their residency program. Men’s Shed and Pensioners Group – psychological and physical boost for members. Sport & Recreational Group – more players and visitation by eight sporting groups.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Summary: Traditionally, SSPAI has focused on community service provision building infrastructure such as water supply pipeline, sporting facilities, Landcare and community centre. Since 2015, SSPAI has extended its economic focus to social businesses using volunteer labour to generate income from operating an Australia Post agency, licenced bar, project management and contracting plant machinery. As a not­for­profit organization, SSPAI applies the social business profit toward the Village services. Mission: The Pathway to a better community life for Sunset Strip Village. Vision: promoting, protecting and improving the physical, social, environmental wellbeing of the Sunset Strip community. Organization History: SSPAI has been serving the Sunset Strip Village since 1967 and does the work normally performed by a Council and their paid staff. Annually, a Board of Management is elected by the members to coordinate the operational functions. It is a legal body set up under NSW Fair Trading. It holds several contracts for weed and pest control, waste management and post office. It is a non­profit business with any profit back into community facilities. Membership fee is set at $15 per annum that covers individuals for volunteer insurance and membership of the sport and recreation group, pensioners group and Landcare group. It operates a licenced bar, holds a charity licence, Taxation Office deductable gift recipient status and is the corporate manager of two Crown Reserves. In 2014, it was the NSW Best Manager of an NSW Crown Reserve. It has no paid staff with volunteers giving their time and skill. Activities: SSPAI volunteers maintain post office, library, hall, bar, Landcare plantations, golf course, tennis courts, street cleaning, tree lopping, lake foreshore, war memorial, playground, waste management facility and boat ramp. Its social activities include social housie weekly, golf competition two times per week and monthly dinner nights. Community events such as Australia Day, Anzac Day and other public holiday weekend events are conducted by SSPAI. A strong ethos of self­help resulted in the building of its community hall, golf course, foreshore lawns, playground, tennis courts, library, etc. rather than a request to the Council for service provision. Users of Facilities: The following sub­groups make use of the Village facilities – Sport & Recreation Group, Pensioners & Retired Person’s Association, Tourism Association and Landcare Group. The Community Centre Precinct facilities are available for use by all citizens. Golf course and tennis court fees are set at $2 to allow for participation by disadvantaged members. Engagement: SSPAI/SSCI holds Village Community Planning Forums that provides input into the Community Plan and Land Management Plan. The “Strip News” newsletter provides timely information on Village life and events together with regular media releases and notices. Partnerships: From 2011 to 2018, SSPAI has project managed $514,347 of grant funding, a Green Army Program and the volunteer and materials in­kind contributions are in excess of $800,000. It has some 40 partners who contribute their skills and resources when requested by the community that helps reduce costs.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

SUNSET STRIP PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC.

COMMITTEE of MANAGEMENTCommittee Meetings

PARTNERS

COUNCIL BUSINESS

GOVERNMENT

INDIVIDUALS MEMBERS MEETINGS

Quarterly Meetings REFERENCE GROUP

Made up of people who have special skills, knowledge or liaison abilities.

SUNSET STRIPCOMMUNITY PLANNING FORUM

All ratepayers, tenants and partners.

Community Management Plan

Land Management Plan

Strategic Plans

COMMUNITY SOCIAL BUSINESSES

Post Office Licenced Bar Contracting Plant.

GROUPS/ASSOCIATIONS

Sport & Recreation Group Men’s Shed Group Landcare Group Pensioners & Retired Assn Tourism Association.

VOLUNTEER TEAMS

Administration Catering Recycling Social Functions Fund Raising Newsletter Library Hall Cleaning Training Officers First Aid Officers

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

NSW Rural Fire Service Essential Water Community Advisory Group Menindee Health Advisory Council Murray Darling Basin Authority

MEMBERSAnnual General Meeting

October