Wimmera Development Association

Wimmera Weather Radar back on track

By Dean Lawson

Experts responsible for installing three new weather radar stations in Western Australia’s farming wheatbelt will work on a similar project in the Wimmera-Mallee.
They will be part of a team that starts work on a Wimmera Doppler Weather Radar Project.
A project working group has ordered the radar and expects to shore up details surrounding its location in the next month.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Ralph Kenyon said the association was working with the Bureau of Meteorology and Agriculture Victoria on the project. MORE…

For more information abouth the Western Australia project follow the link below.

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/about/wheatbelt_project.shtml

For background information on the Wimmera Weather Radar project see the following article

Wimmera River injects $4.75 million into local economy

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday March 21, 2018

Wimmera River injects $4.75 million into local economy

A study into the value of water for the environment reveal the Wimmera River contributed $4.75 million to the economy in 2017 with fishing competitions providing major boosts.

Last year's Horsham Fishing Competition on the Labour Day weekend injected around $400,000 into the region and Jeparit’s Easter event, $144,000.

Horsham Fishing Competition committee president Adele Rohde, speaking after the successful 2018 event, said information in the report was critical to the sustainability of the annual event.

"As a mostly volunteer committee, we don't have the resources or expertise to undertake this kind of detailed research and having that data is critical to us being able to attract support for future fishing comps," she said.

"This year's long weekend included a lot of events around the fishing comp, creating a carnival type atmosphere in the town, and it's fantastic to see the people coming here to enjoy our beautiful river and all that is on offer in Horsham."

Wimmera Development Association has released the figures after further analysis of 2017 results from the Wimmera Southern Mallee Socio-Economic Value Recreational and Environmental Water study.

Wimmera CMA chief executive David Brennan said this analysis provided valuable information about water for the environment, which plays a key role in maintaining river health so activities like fishing competitions can occur.

“Although this study is still in its infancy, it’s exciting to read through the results and hear it direct from the local community and visitors from afar what the Wimmera River means to them.”

The Wimmera River analysis gives researchers baseline evidence for comparison during the four-year life of the study. Analysis also shows:

The river contributes over $2.5 million annually in physical and mental health benefits.
Fishing is the most popular activity (23.8%) followed by attending events (17.7%) and just relaxing (17.6%).
Walking, running and exercising along the river were the activities people participated in most frequently.
Horsham, Dimboola and Jeparit river users exceed Australian Government recommendations of five hours physical activity each week, with a weekly total of 8.4 hours.

WDA executive director Ralph Kenyon said the findings provided critical data for future investment and development of Wimmera River sites. One example is plans for a $3-million cycling-walking-camping trail, from Dimboola to Lake Albacutya near Rainbow.

“This study is giving us a better understanding of shared benefits from water for the environment including economic and social benefits,” Mr Kenyon said.

“It allows us to demonstrate the local and regional impacts water has in our region to help attract funding and other support for developing infrastructure and services. It also shows that previous investments such as the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, which provides a secure supply of water for the environment, continue to reap many rewards.”

WDA is coordinating the socio-economic research of 24 waterways in partnership with Wimmera CMA, GWMWater and six Wimmera Southern Mallee councils. The project is largely funded through the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria initiative with contributions from councils and GWM water.

2017 findings estimate the 24 surveyed waterways provide a total annual economic contribution of $27.5 million, attracting more than 437,000 visitors.

WDA encourages people to contribute to Stage 2 of the project by visiting

https://wda.org.au/ and completing the online survey before March 31.

Download the full report of the Socio-Economic Value of Environmental Water, Wimmera River Sites 2016-17 here: Wimmera River Economic Value

End of release

Western Passenger Rail

WPR More than 110,000 people live in Western Victoria, with only limited access to passenger train travel.

A further 60,000 people living in south east South Australia could also benefit from improved connectivity through Victoria to provincial and capital cities.

Regional Councils have recognised the need for improved public passenger services for many years. A recent detailed study commissioned by eight Western Victorian Councils proved there is significant demand for improved public transport and linkages to Ballarat and Melbourne.

The Western Rail Project is seeking:

More passenger rail services between Ararat and Melbourne
The return of passenger rail services to other parts of Western Victoria, including Horsham and Hamilton
Extra coach services to improve connections between road and rail services
Upgrades to all operating rail stations in Western Victoria to ensure they are accessible to disabled and elderly people.

For more information CLICK HERE

Stage two of water study kicks off in the Wimmera Southern Mallee

New research into the economic and health benefits generated by waterways in the Wimmera Southern Mallee is about to enter its second stage.

The socio-economic research by Street Ryan plans to repeat its assessment each year up to 2020. Last year’s research revealed the mental health benefits and economic income generated from rivers, weir pools and lakes to Victorians across the region. The report, which may provide a benchmark for other research across the state, found that water provides a critical outlet for physical and mental relaxation, improving the overall health and wellbeing of residents and visitors – more important than ever during times of drought.

Last year’s research commissioned by Wimmera Development Association (WDA) and funded by the Andrews Labor Government found that participation in recreational water activities in the region saw a total cost saving of more than $8.5 million dollars to both the health and mental health sectors in 2016-17. The study highlighted that more than 437,000 locals and visitors visited the 24 waterways analysed in the Wimmera Southern Mallee region in 2017 with a total economic benefit of $27.5 million.

Water for Victoria, recognises the recreational value of water to communities and the role water plays in helping sustain resilient, strong and healthy communities. New water legislation champions the requirement for water managers to consider the benefit and values of recreational water to communities. As part of this recognition, we have recently committed to fund works at Green Lake at Sea Lake so the whole community can gain from the benefits recreational water brings.

The Labor Government is also strongly supporting recreational fishing through our Target One Million plan.

This year’s study will go into more depth to understand the health benefits of the region’s waterways. The project will undertake surveys and collect data from across the region at locations where individuals and groups enjoy our lakes, rivers and weir-pools for recreational activity. It will also assess some waterways not previously included such as Lake Toolondo. Online interviews will be able to be completed by the community from January 1st to March 31st via the Wimmera Development Association website (www.wda.org.au).

This project involves a cooperative effort with local government and local community groups to catalogue the various benefits recreational and environmental water in rivers, weir pools and lakes provide to towns in the region and try and quantify them in terms of social and economic benefits. For example the Jeparit Fishing Competition brings substantial financial benefits with visitors coming from around Victoria. Various camp grounds adjoining lakes attract campers and fishers from both within and outside the region.

This research will help understand where investment to develop infrastructure and services associated with recreational water is needed.

To complete the survey CLICK HERE

Media Contact:

Mr Ralph Kenyon - Executive Director

Wimmera Development Association

(03) 5381 6500

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IMPROVED WEATHER SERVICES – RADAR ANNOUNCEMENT

map Wimmera Development Association is excited by the news that the Wimmera Weather Radar project has been successful in gaining funding from both State and Federal Governments.

WDA has been advocating for the regions’ agriculture sector to gain access to this technology for over 10 years. A submission was written in 2011 to support the sector and a business case including regional case studies completed in 2015 by WDA.

Recently a delegation comprising of WDA, Wimmera Southern Mallee CEO’s and Mayors travelled to Canberra to discuss regional priorities including the radar.

WDA would like to thank and acknowledge all who have been involved in the project over many years including regional producers and support agencies, farming networks, RM Consulting Group, WSM councils and local members for their support.

The Weekly Advertiser article – Wimmera Weather Radar Confirmed 6/4/16

Wimmera Mail Times article – Wimmera to receive $5m Weather Radar Station

ABC News article - Weather radar announced for Victorian grain belt, ending 10-year farmer campaign

Official Media Release - Andrews Labour Government puts Wimmera on the Radar

Background

The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Plan identifies in “Strategic Direction 1: Strengthening the Farming Sector’s Capacity to Prosper in a Changing Climate” that farmers need ‘localized and accurate weather information to enable decisions to be made as seasons unfold’. A priority area for action in the plan is to advocate for ‘weather watch radar in the Wimmera Southern Mallee to enable more timely and effective on-farm operations’.

In November 2016, the Labor Government provided a $15,000 grant for the Wimmera Development Association to establish a business case to have a real-time radar in the local regional area.

This study has now been successfully completed and the Labor Government announced that the weather radar will be one of the first funded projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund.

The Labor Government has committed up to $5 million towards capital costs whilst the Federal Government will cover commissioning costs of $3.25 million, along with all annual operating and maintenance costs for the next 15 years, which will cover the life of the station.

The Wimmera and Southern Mallee areas are major food and fibre producing regions and the Wimmera Doppler Weather Radar Project has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to the region.

Grampians Region 10 Year Cycling and Trails Business and Masterplan

GRCTMP2 A 10-year cycling master plan has set up the Grampians region to benefit from future government investment and an influx of tourism opportunities from an estimated 50,000 visitors that could be drawn to the region through cycling.

Funded through a partnership between State Government (Regional Development Victoria) and 11 Local Government councils, the project has been delivered by Wimmera Development Association and covers an area from Bacchus Marsh through to the South Australian border.

The master plan has created a decade-long pipeline of future projects in the region, covering cycling segments such as mountain biking, road cycling, bike touring and recreational riders, and not only stands to benefit local residents with better cycling infrastructure, but will also provide an added tourism opportunity for the region.

The master plan was launched in September and includes a full economic business case for three key projects:

Wimmera River Discovery Trail, stretching from Dimboola to Lake Hindmarsh;
Ararat Hills Mountain Bike Park; and
Further investment in cycling infrastructure on the existing Goldfields Track between Ballarat and Bendigo.

The economic modelling contained in the business cases makes the projects shovel ready for Government investment, and the master plan is expected to trigger an additional $10 million investment in business services to accommodate the growth in tourists.

Wimmera Development Association Executive Director, Ralph Kenyon said the development of the master plan has been a fantastic collaborative effort of the councils in the Grampians RDV region and shows what can be achieved when organisations work together looking at the bigger picture.

“This project gives the Grampians Region a 10-year plan to guide a more strategic approach to the opportunities for cycling tourism across the region.”

“We’ve seen what cycle tourism can do in reviving towns like Forrest in the Otway ranges, and Derby in Tasmania, where riders from all over Australia flock to ride the incredible mountain bike trails.”

“Our project has created a road map to attract the investment that is needed to grow a new tourism product in our region,” Mr Kenyon said.

In addition to the master plan, work has been undertaken to develop a regional brand to support promotion of the projects and the entire region as an emerging cycling destination as product takes shape.

Following on from the launch, each participating council will have a summary document and well as a comprehensive project breakdown to assist with further product development, grant applications and/or training opportunities. It is expected individual Councils will engage with their local cycling groups and committees to plan and implement many facets of the regional report.

View the full reports by clicking on the below links

Grampians Region Cycling and Trails Infrastructure Business and Masterplan
Grampians Region Cycling and Trails Infrastructure Business and Masterplan - Report Summary
Grampians Region Cycling and Trails Infrastructure Business and Masterplan - Local Government Projects
Grampians RDV Cycling Brand and Marketing Framework

For more information contact:

Ralph Kenyon, Executive Director - Wimmera Development Association

(03) 5381 6500 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.