Media releases

WDA transformation continues: 5 new directors appointed

Published: 30 August 2022

Wimmera Development Association (WDA), the peak economic development organisation for the Wimmera Southern Mallee region, is continuing its transformation journey by appointing 5 skills based directors to join the WDA Board.
The current board after a very competitive recruiting process have appointed Ann Adams, Kath Buden Julia Hausler, Saurabh Mishrah and Mark Williams.

Media Release (125kb PDF)

Latest WSM Census Results Highlight New Growth Trajectory

Published: 19 July 2022

For the first time in at least 40 years the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) has bucked the trend of slow population decline. This occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic; a time in which Victoria’s overall population decreased.

Media Release (118kb PDF)

Changing up the housing mix on offer in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM)

Published: 23 June 2022

Large backyards, quarter acre blocks and traditional three-to-four-bedroom family homes have historically formed the basis of our WSM housing stock.

Over the last ~ 60 years the region’s population has grown by approx. 8.7%, whilst the number of homes occupied is estimated to have almost doubled, increasing to 24,200 in 2020 from 12,118 in 1961.

Media Release (122kb PDF)

Thinking outside the box – Short-term accommodation options for new employees to our region

Published: 2 June 2022

The Wimmera Southern Mallee’s (WSM) ineffective rental housing stock is a significant deterrent to new and potential employees to the region, resulting in lost economic opportunity.
The Housing Blueprint includes short-term accommodation solutions as one of the region’s core seven housing solution foundations requiring regional support to assist growth, liveability and economic strength within the region.

Media Release (124kb PDF)

The Housing Blueprint has landed to address the dire Wimmera Southern Mallee housing shortage

Published: May 02, 2022

Housing is considered the Wimmera Southern Mallee’s (WSM) number one challenge inhibiting growth, liveability and economic strength. To address the region’s dire housing shortage, the Wimmera Development Association (WDA) has launched its Housing Blueprint, delivering plans for innovative housing solutions based on seven core foundations.

Full report (3Mb PDF)

Media Release (258kb PDF)

Leadership Wimmera 2022 applications open

Published: November 10, 2021

Applications for 2022 Leadership Wimmera programs are now open. The long-running community leadership development programs aim to provide inspiring leadership learning opportunities to nurture emerging leaders and motivate existing leaders in the Wimmera Southern Mallee; and enhance, develop and promote leadership in the region.

Media release - Applications open (196kb PDF)

Leadership Wimmera's 2021 program has concluded with a celebration of 29 graduates of two year-long programs.

Media release - Wimmera leaders graduate (258kb PDF)

Transformation pending for regional advocacy body

Published: November 4, 2021

A transformation of the long-running Wimmera Development Association opens new opportunities for the region’s peak advocacy body. The transformation will take its current Board from 25 members to 11 – becoming a skills-based board of representatives from Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack Shire councils along with industry representatives.

Media release (191kb PDF)

Study details pandemic impacts on recreational water use, visitation

Published: October 25, 2021

The latest findings of a study into the social and economic value of recreational and environmental water in the Wimmera Southern Mallee has detailed the staggering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID impacts (204kb PDF)

Local visition rises (191kb PDF)

Sharing the Wimmera's experiences with a changing climate

Published: August 13, 2021

Wimmera people might not know it - but they are climate change experts. A new Wimmera Southern Mallee project called Climate-eyes will capture residents’ observations and stories of surviving and adapting in tough climatic times.

Media release (199kb PDF)