SV contacts for regions (December 2014) Division Barwon South West Gippsland Grampians Hume Engagement Statewide Engagement Team Manager : Andrew Straker  (03) 8626 8813 Strategic Coordinators Amy O’Brien  0418 149068 Luke Wilkinson  0427 850 478 Trish Kevin  0409 060109 Martina Rienzner  0408 110 431 Kristy  0419 311 765 Education Team Manager : Kate  (03) 8626 8878 Claire Ruedin  (03) 86268747 Simon Hum  (03) 8626 8793 Candyce Presland  (03) 86268774 Simon Hum  (03) 86268793 Candyce Presland  (03) 86268774 Integrated Waste Management Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy Manager : David Cocks  (03) 86268765 Barwon South West Andrew Buzacott  (03) 86566701 Marcus Fogarty  (03) 86268788 Gippsland Grampians Central West Nick Bailey  (03) 86268824 Ben Stephenson  (03) 86268807 Goulburn Valley Nicola Thom  (03) 86268726 North East David Cocks  (03) 86268765 Loddon Mallee David Cocks  (03) 86268765 Nick Bailey  (03) 86268824 Wickham  (03) 86268820 Resource Efficiency Business Productivity Team Manager: Katrina Woolfe  (03) 86268823
West for economic growth in a global market • New energy • Food and water security • Tourism 2. An exemplar of environmental sustainability To protect and enhance the natural assets of Barwon South West • Sustainable land use • Climate change planning and risk management • Sustaining natural resources 3. Education and opportunities To develop a smarter, more skilled, more resilient community and workforce • Higher education attainment rates • Skills for growing and emerging industries • Better access to education and training 4. A connected Barwon South West To improve infrastructure networks to build economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and social cohesion • National Broadband Network opportunities and challenges • Transport infrastructure, including Geelong Ring Road, Avalon Airport, harbour improvements, Ocean Road upgrades, upgraded rail and road links, and upgrade to Princes Highway West (funding secured and under construction) • Social networks and infrastructure 5. Empowered communities To develop healthy, liveable, equitable communities • Address entrenched disadvantage through regeneration activities in Norlane, Whittington, Colac and Portland • Improve health and wellbeing • Increase the capacity of health and community care Other regional priorities include: implementing the Triangle Region Freight Action Plan investing in the Geelong Cultural Precinct setting up a regional research and information centre to meet rural and regional data management needs developing network infrastructure for the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct investing in town centre upgrades reconstructing St Pier developing existing and proposed trails in the G21 region as part of the G21 Regional Trails project building National Defence Industrial Association headquarters in Geelong redeveloping Simonds Stadium (stage 2) – funding secured and under construction supporting regional growth, particularly in the Armstrong Creek and Warrnambool growth areas developing a convention and exhibition centre establishing an Australian centre for emerging infectious diseases investing in structures and processes for the implementation of the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan.
Green Organics Soil Improvement Program, Barwon South West WRRMG Roadside litter projects (Barwon South West WRRG) ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic schools (Barwon South West Consortia) RWMG support funding (Barwon South West WRRG) SRSB Materials and Energy- 5 businesses SRSB- Energy Efficient Office Buildings- 1 building approved Third party sustainability projects Regional PPR program- Alcoa Foundation funded Climate Resilient Communities of Barwon South West- VASP funded (DEPI) Geelong Cleantech Cluster- market research project- Manufacturing productivity program funded Community Energy Efficiency Program- Department of Industry funded Renewable Energy Project, Geelong- RDV Funded Barwon Sustainability Hub- BRWMG funded feasibility study SWOT analysis Strengths Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city and is rapidly growing with a diverse and vibrant economy Internationally recognised landscapes (the Great Ocean Road) and other natural assets Manufacturing sector including aluminium and food processing Diverse agriculture sector – Australia’s largest milk production region (significant occurs via milk and meat processing) and 20% of the national plantation forestry Good sea and air transport links Natural gas reserves, existing 550kV electricity transmission currently at 25% capacity, and strong wind, wave and geothermal resources Extensive networks, mature governance structures and well developed regional strategic planning processes Water resources an important natural asset Opportunities New energy, particularly new wind and gas fired facilities. Wave energy projects are currently being considered off the far west coast As an internationally significant tourism destination, there is scope to improve yield and encourage visitor dispersal Leveraging off higher education and research institutions – the region has building capabilities in biotechnology, information and communication technology, carbon fibre and clean technology Timber harvest in the green triangle region has growth potential Weaknesses Regional socio-disadvantage with pockets of entrenched disadvantage Lower rates than state average in some significant health-related indicators Threats Current workforce demands are not being met. Regional growth and emerging industries place further demands on labour Carbon intensive industries (e.g. oil refining, cement production, aluminium) are likely to be heavily affected by carbon trading