Upper Yarra Local Development Project
The Victorian Government is assisting the transition away from native forest harvesting.
Warburton, Yarra Junction and Powelltown have received funding for the development of a Local Development Strategy, which will support workers, businesses, and the community with this transition.
The purpose of the Local Development Strategy is to assist these communities to plan for innovation, explore possibilities and create economic and social benefits that will a create a sustainable future for the community.
The Project
There is opportunity over the next two years to explore and discover innovation ideas that will benefit these communities by bringing economic prosperity, and creating long-term jobs and opportunities.
Council has received Local Development Strategy funding through the Victorian Forestry Plan to support Upper Yarra Valley communities.
The Local Development Strategy grants program aims to assist Upper Yarra communities in planning for innovation, exploring possibilities and creating economic and social benefits to create a sustainable future.
Community Involvement
The Upper Yarra Valley Local Development Strategy project is an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate, and share insights, experiences and knowledge to shape the ‘Future of Upper Yarra Valley’.
Over the next two years, the project will be immersed in the Upper Yarra communities to explore the area's strengths, challenges, and opportunities. With your help, we can identify and shape innovation opportunities that will bring sustainable economic and social prosperity and create long-term jobs for the area.
Smart Specialisation
The project uses the Smart Specialisation methodology. It is an approach that promotes innovation and economic transformation and sustainability by focussing on a region’s existing strengths and unique, local opportunities.
Representation from the community, business, education, and government ensures that all the sectors are included for transformative solutions to be identified.
A short video helps explain the methodology.
The process will move through three phases, each containing a number of steps to ensure that the process involves community consultation, collaboration and is truly reflective of the community’s assets, challenges and opportunities.
Phase 1
Phase 1: Regional Context Analysis
- A review of the socio and economic data of the region.
- In depth interviews with individuals from businesses, community, government, education and research organisations.
Phase 2
Phase 2: Entrepreneurial Discovery
Phase 3
Phase 3: Completion of the Strategy
- Identification and action of next steps to obtain future project funding and governance.
Victoria's Native Timber Transition
An announcement was made on 23 May 2023 regarding a revised timeline for Victoria’s native timber transition.
If you are an impacted worker, business or a community member unsure what support is or will be available, please visit the Forestry Transition Program Webpage to learn more.
A Word From The Project Manager
The Upper Yarra Valley is a wonderful place to live and work – a place that has outstanding natural beauty and has vibrant communities. I joined Council in 2016 and during this time I have been involved with a number of community led projects such as the Warburton Community Hydro Project and I have served as a Council representative on the Yarra Valley ECOSS Committee of Management. My spare time is devoted to tending our 1.5 acre garden in Warburton where I have an orchard, run chooks and grow other fruit and vegetables.
With communities playing a key role in developing an Upper Yarra Valley Local Development Strategy, I look forward to working with residents and community groups, local businesses, educational institutes and state and local governments. The prospect of turning the Upper Yarra’s strengths and challenges into sustainable economic opportunities for the region is exciting.
Please reach out if you are interested in the project and be part of this exciting project.
Contact
Julian Guess on 0417 678 950 or j.guess@yarraranges.vic.gov.au