Media releases

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 - 2 May 2022 (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.

Full report (196kb PDF)

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

Full report (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.

Full report (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.

Full report (199kb PDF)

Community project funds awarded

Published: July 16, 2021

Seven organisations are successful applicants to the Murra Warra Wind Farm 1 Sustainable Community Grants Fund.

Full report (162kb PDF)

Health amalgamation awareness queried

Published: July 14, 2021

Wimmera Development Association is seeking to understand the community’s awareness and engagement into a proposed health services amalgamation of Wimmera Heath Care Group, Stawell Regional Health, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital with Ballarat Health Services.

Full report (154kb PDF)