From October to November, we engaged the community to better understand how Council can support business and employment in Murrindindi Shire through a five-year economic development strategy. Your thoughts and ideas have helped us to prepare the draft Economic Development Strategy. Community feedback supported the identified priority on the outcomes and direction for the Strategy. There were 34 ideas shared, 10 surveys responses and over 100 participants at the pop-ups held across the Shire.
Council is now calling on residents, business owners and visitors to review the draft Strategy and provide feedback.
What we heard
- Confirmed the 5 Priority Areas.
- Support for our local business community.
- Access to education and training was important to support growth.
- Focus on strengths and assets including nature and arable land.
- Creative industries are a potential growth area for the economy.
- Create options for young people to study and work locally.
- Housing for key workers as well as improved options for others.
- Visitor economy was seen as a high economic driver.
- Circular economy and climate change is an opportunity.
We encourage you to review the draft Murrindindi Shire Economic Development Strategy before providing your feedback.
How to get involved?
- Complete the online feedback form
- Explore our frequently asked questions
Consultation period closes on Sunday 12 May
Next Steps
All feedback will be considered by Council and will help finalise the draft Strategy, ready for adoption at the Scheduled Meeting of Council on Wednesday 22 May 2024 .
FAQs
FAQ
- How did Council develop the draft Strategy?
- How will Council use community feedback from this current consultation period?
- How will the Action Plan be developed and what will it contain?
- What is an Economic Development Strategy?
- How will we develop the Strategy and Action Plan?
- How will Council be guided by the Strategy?
- What is the outcome of stage one consultation?
- What are the five Priority Areas?
- How have we developed the five Priority Areas?
Priority Areas and Outcomes
The following Priority Areas and Outcomes have been identified through research of past and current related strategies and plans. A review of business and industry sector data was also undertaken. Outcomes are designed to be a future vision of where we could be by the end of the Strategy.
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Agriculture and Food Production
Click to read outcomes -
Business Support
Click to read outcomes -
Sustainable Future
Click to read outcomes -
Prosperous Communities
Click to read outcomes
Stage One
Council is inviting the community to help shape its Economic Development Strategy to help guide the future of our local economy.
The five-year Strategy will support existing and new businesses, providing employment, goods, and services for our community and visitors, which align to our Shire’s unique strengths and opportunities.
This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy that supports opportunities for all. In growing our economy, we must consider the environment, and how we can support a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.
Overview
The 2024 Murrindindi Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will respond to the significant changes in the business and employment environment due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic trends, and cost-of-living. The Strategy will be a five-year plan to support business and employment in Murrindindi Shire. The development of an Economic Development Strategy is an action of the Council Plan 2021-2025.
Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for all in Murrindindi Shire.
The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.
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Share your ideas on how we can better support local businesses and our economy
Explore other people’s ideas on the board and add your own.
CLOSED. The visioning activity has now concluded. Click to see all the submitted ideas.
22 November, 2023
Louis says:
Support businesses that offer employment opportunities to younger workers. Lack of employment opportunities are a problem
10 November, 2023
Anonymous says:
Allow properly managed intensive agriculture instead of relying solely on tourism. How did that go over the last three years during Covid?
9 November, 2023
nmatheson says:
More free camping sites for caravans
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Children's speaker to increase moral - via aged person - improving - more outdoor related activities
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Encouragement to give back - untapped skills
- Japanese teacher
- fishing
- learn to read
- master strawberry farmer
- poetry
- etc
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Industrial zones in Marysville
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
More funding for Alex Primary School
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Cutting back red tape
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Buy local campaigns
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
More free camping
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
More free camping
9 November, 2023
BenHarnwell says:
Housing - community and key workers
How to get involved
- Read the Murrindindi Shire snapshot to learn about our current economic situation
- Share your thoughts on the five Priority Areas and Outcomes by completing the survey
- Register to participate in an online focus group session
- Chat with Council’s Economic Development team in person at our pop-up events
The consultation period closes Sunday 3 December
The 2024 Murrindindi Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will respond to the significant changes in the business and employment environment due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic trends, and cost-of-living. The Strategy will be a five-year plan to support business and employment in Murrindindi Shire. The development of an Economic Development Strategy is an action of the Council Plan 2021-2025.
Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for all in Murrindindi Shire.
The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.
The purpose of stage one engagement is to seek feedback:
- on the five identified economic Priority Areas and Outcomes
- to help develop the draft Economic Development Strategy
- to help identify economic strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
- on where you would like to see Murrindindi Shire’s economy in five years’ time
The Strategy has a strong focus on Outcomes, under core Priority Areas. The Outcomes will be delivered via a rolling two-year Action Plan. The Action Plan will sit along the Strategy and be delivered over the five-year term.
The last Economic Development Strategy was developed in 2011 and concluded in 2016. Several other strategies have been developed and implemented across the broad Economic Development spectrum. These include Shire and Regional:
- Murrindindi Shire Snapshot
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Tourism and Events Strategy
- Murrindindi Shire Council's COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Business Investment Prospectus
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Housing and Settlement Strategy
- Goulburn Regional Economic Development Strategy
- Hume Strategy (Lower Hume Sub Regional Plan)
- Hume Regional Circular Economy Plan
Once we have gathered feedback during this initial phase of the project, we’ll prepare the draft Economic Development Strategy and rolling two-year Action Plan and release it for public comment around March 2024. The draft Strategy and Action plan will be presented to Council for adoption at the May 2024 Scheduled Meeting of Council.
The consultation period has now closed. Thank you for your feedback.
From October to December, we asked you to help shape our Economic Development Strategy to help guide the future of our local economy. We received feedback via a survey, ideas board, focus groups and at pop up kiosks. We are currently reviewing the feedback and preparing to develop the draft Economic Development Strategy. Thank you for your contributions.
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34 responses on the ideas board
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10 survey contributions
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50% participants belong to business groups
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Murrindindi Shire Snapshot
The 2024 Murrindindi Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will respond to the significant changes in the business and employment environment due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic trends, and cost-of-living. The Strategy will be a five-year plan to support business and employment in Murrindindi Shire. The development of an Economic Development Strategy is an action of the Council Plan 2021-2025.
Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for all in Murrindindi Shire.
The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.
The purpose of stage one engagement is to seek feedback:
- on the five identified economic Priority Areas and Outcomes
- to help develop the draft Economic Development Strategy
- to help identify economic strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
- on where you would like to see Murrindindi Shire’s economy in five years’ time
The Strategy has a strong focus on Outcomes, under core Priority Areas. The Outcomes will be delivered via a rolling two-year Action Plan. The Action Plan will sit along the Strategy and be delivered over the five-year term.
What is an Economic Development Strategy?
Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for people in Murrindindi Shire.
How will we develop the Strategy and Action Plan?
The Strategy and Action Plan will be developed using a combination of:
- existing data on current and past economic indicators
- community feedback and input
- input from key stakeholders, including business operators, workers and interested community members
How will Council be guided by the Strategy?
The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment to allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also closely linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.
What is the outcome of this consultation?
The stage one consultation activities will test the identified Priority Areas and Outcomes as well as uncover any missing elements. The project will result in a new Economic Development Strategy and a rolling 2-year Action Plan that will deliver the Outcomes of the Strategy. The new strategy and action plan will aim to support the local economy in Murrindindi Shire, supporting our local businesses and workforce. Once a draft Strategy is prepared, we will seek further community feedback in 2024, before it is finalised and presented to Council.
What are the five Priority Areas?
The five Priority Areas are
- Visitor Economy
- Agriculture and Food Production
- Business Support
- Sustainable Future
- Prosperous Communities
How have we developed the five Priority Areas?
We have analysed and assessed previous related strategies as well as regional plans and economic data from multiple sources. The identified Priority Areas try to match the strengths of Murrindindi Shire’s economy with a focus on in the future of our economy over the next 5 years.
Have questions or want to learn more about economic development, contact us below:
Ben Harnwell, Manager Economic Development
P: (03) 5772 0333
E: bharnwell@murrindindi.vic.gov.auThe last Economic Development Strategy was developed in 2011 and concluded in 2016. Several other strategies have been developed and implemented across the broad Economic Development spectrum. These include Shire and Regional:
- Murrindindi Shire Snapshot
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Tourism and Events Strategy
- Murrindindi Shire Council's COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Business Investment Prospectus
- Murrindindi Shire Council's Housing and Settlement Strategy
- Goulburn Regional Economic Development Strategy
- Hume Strategy (Lower Hume Sub Regional Plan)
- Hume Regional Circular Economy Plan
Once we have gathered feedback during this initial phase of the project, we’ll prepare the draft Economic Development Strategy and rolling two-year Action Plan and release it for public comment around March 2024. The draft Strategy and Action plan will be presented to Council for adoption at the May 2024 Scheduled Meeting of Council.
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - active
Monday 30 October
Community consultation opens
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Sunday 3 December
Community consultation closes
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Timeline item 4 - active
December 2023
Review and analysis of community feedback
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
February - March 2024
Develop and finalise the draft Economic Development Strategy
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
28 March 2024
Consultation opens
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Timeline item 7 - incomplete
12 May 2024
Consultation closes
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Timeline item 8 - incomplete
May
Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan presented to Council for adoption
Contact Us
Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:
| Name | Ben Harnwell, Manager Economic Development |
|---|---|
| Phone | 5772 0333 |
| bharnwell@murrindindi.vic.gov.au |
