Friday, March 29, 2024

Take a fresh look at our future

Recent stories

An innovative project will be launched next week to identify economic opportunities for development in the Upper Murray.

Led by Dr Juliette Milbank, ‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ will cover an area on both sides of the Murray River stretching from Biggara and Khancoban to Tooma, Jingellic and Walwa, Burrowye, Koetong, Lucyvale and the Nariel Valley. It seeks to develop strategic and innovative long-term projects that take advantage of local regional strengths.

The project will be launched on February 16th at the Upper Murray Events Centre, Corryong Recreation Reserve at 5pm.

Dr Milbank started in the role late last year and since then has spent time getting to know local organisations ahead of starting interviews.

A mechanical engineer, researcher and writer, Dr Milbank has been a resident of north-east Victoria for almost 18 years and loves the area.

“This project will use a new development approach to take an in-depth analysis of the region, identify potential innovation opportunities and then develop the community-preferred concepts,” Dr Milbank said.

“I’ll talk to local people in the community, industry, government and education sectors to provide the expertise, local passion, on-the-ground experience, and strategic and government insight to develop good long-term outcomes.”

The innovation opportunities the project will look for are not single projects involving one organisation but are designed to bring together multiple organisations and opportunities within the region. They may include economic activities, training, research and other community programs.

Dr Milbank said that one of the advantages of the project is that it has sound foundations from previous strategic work that has taken place in the Upper Murray.

“We have some great resources in the work done through the Upper Murray 2030 Vision, Towong Shire Strategic Plans and the 2021 Upper Murray Community Recovery Plan,” she said.

“These plans have identified several promising and long desired areas for the region’s growth including adventure tourism and innovations for the beef industry.”

Over the next three months Dr Milbank will conduct a comprehensive regional analysis by talking to local people in business, farming and the community to find out their perspectives on the strengths and underutilised gems of the region.

‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ is a collaboration between Upper Murray Inc, the Upper Murray Community Recovery Committee, Towong Shire Council, RMIT University and the Victorian government.

Upper Murray Inc is auspicing the grant funds and the program is managed by a group with representatives from the partner organisations. At a later stage it will also be guided by a steering committee of community representatives.

Nine other similar projects are taking place in regional areas around Victoria. The most advanced, a two-year old pilot project in Orbost in East Gippsland, is working on some exciting opportunities including a national seeds research institute.

Funding for the project is part of the Victorian Forestry Plan as the timber industry transitions out of native forest logging. The local economic development program is separate to the support packages that are being provided to the forestry businesses and their employees.

Dr Milbank is encouraging local residents, farmers and business people to come to the project launch and check it all out and see what’s on the horizon.

Free food and drink will be available and there will be a short presentation and a showcase of organisations carrying out region-wide activities that are already making a difference in the Upper Murray.

There will also be information available on health programs, connectivity, community programs and business support services.

For further information on the launch go to https://bit.ly/UM-Future-Launch or check out the ‘Future of the Upper Murray’ on Facebook or Instagram. To subscribe to newsletter updates go to https://uppermurrayinc. com.au/upper-murray-future#subscribe.

Corryong Courier 9 February 2023

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 9 February 2023.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Sign up for updates from Australian Rural & Regional News

Manage your subscription

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

For all the news from the Corryong Courier, go to https://www.corryongcourier.com.au/