Mitchell South Place Management Project 2007
Thu, Apr 26, 2007; by Bill Coppinger.Partnerships, Possibilities, Place: the Mitchell South Community Plan
Update October 16th 2007
A small cross-sector group met today to begin a dialogue about the immediate and mid to long term needs for Vocational Education and Training provision in the Wallan and broader Mitchell South area.
Over the next 20+ years, Mitchell South/ Wallan will double its population [at least], with considerable planning implications for all sectors. As a follow-up to the initial work of the MSPMP, we have now embarked on a set of specific short and mid-to long term projects.
Details can be found at:
http://www.centralrangesllen.org.au/mitchellsouthpathways
April 26th 2007
The Mitchell South Place Management Project was officially launched today by Member for Seymour and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. Ben Hardman. Mr. Hardman congratulated the community and all stakeholders in their efforts [over almost two years] to develop a whole-of-government approach to the needs of the Wallan and Beveridge communities. Mr. Hardman pointed out that over 800 community members had been consulted in the first phase of this project and that this will continue in to the future.
Mr. Hardman pointed out that the first phase of the project aims to develop a community plan based on the principles of place based management for the Mitchell South area, to help guide future decisions about services, facilities, resources and developments.
Mitchell Shire CEO, Mr. Bill Braithwaite, welcomed the gathering of approximately 50 community guests and project partners to the launch. Mitchell Shire Mayor, Mr. Bill Melbourne highlighted the importance of an integrated planning approach for the rapid and sustained growth in Mitchell South.
The Mitchell South Place Management Project was developed as a response to the Mitchell South area defined as Wallan and Beveridge, which are experiencing rapid population growth which is outpacing developments in the social, economic, built and natural environments.
In response to this continued growth, the Mitchell Shire Council in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, identified the need to establish an integrated planning approach that would enable services and infrastructure development to match the growth of the region.
This meant inviting a range of agencies and service providers to meet and plan together in conjunction with the community, a completely new way of thinking about a place, which moves away from the traditional ‘silo’ approach to planning from a centralised area.
This process enabled regional heads of state government departments and other senior key stakeholders to discuss and plan for a comprehensive approach to an analysis of need for the areas of Wallan and Beveridge.
One of the challenges of this project has been to develop a methodology for working together in the planning and implementation phases, which has included aligning all stakeholder’s budgetary and planning processes into an integrated planning stage, which has laid the groundwork for the future direction of the Mitchell South Place Management Project.
The Central Ranges LLEN chaired the sub-committee of the steering committee working on local labour market and employment planning issues. The Central Ranges LLEN was also represented on the Youth and Education sub-committees.
Initial planning components of the project could not have been undertaken without the support and guidance of the Steering Committee, which comprised representatives from key local, state and federal government departments and state bodies and key community services organisations.
Mitchell Shire Council (MSC)
- Central Ranges Local Learning Network (CRLLEN)
Stakeholders consulted in the planning phase: Department of Justice, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Services, Rural Ambulance Victoria, Office for Youth, Other Health and Community Organisations, Community Groups, Local Members of Parliament (State & Commonwealth) and Department of Defence.
Appreciation is also expressed to those Mitchell South residents who participated in the community consultation process which has been an important part of this project.
A Project report and summary document will be made available form this site shortly.
Further details relating to the project can be directed to Ms. Jaime Carrol, Mitchell Shire.
Related Links
- Download Mitchell South Place Management Video [Quicktime 5.5 MB]
