March 2014
Contents
Introduction
Regions by RWMG and councils
SV contacts for regions (March 2014)
Acronyms
Map:Strategic Coordinators and Regional Waste Management Groups
Barwon South West
Regional features
Key facts
Demography
Political context
Regional context
Regional priorities
Economic profile
Industry profile by subregion
Funded sustainability project examples
SWOT analysis
Further reading
Sustainability Victoria
Level 28, Urban Workshop
50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne 3000
T 1300 363 744
E info@sustainability.vic.gov.au
sustainability.vic.gov.au
© Sustainability Victoria 2014
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Disclaimer
Information in this document is current as at February 2014. While all professional care has been
taken in preparing this document, Sustainability Victoria accepts no liability for loss or damages
incurred as a result of reliance placed upon its content.
Introduction
This document provides a snapshot of the Barwon South West region. It is not an exhaustive
compilation of regional information, but instead focuses on information that is considered relevant to
SV’s priority outcomes in integrated waste management and resource efficiency.
It has been produced by SV’s Strategic Coordinator based in the region. Information has been drawn
from plans and strategies, including regional strategic plans and growth plans, and other documents,
as well as discussions with key regional personnel.
This document aims to assist SV staff to understand regional conditions so that SV and our
stakeholders (e.g. Regional Waste Management Groups) can
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Work more effectively across the portfolio
Design and develop relevant programs and projects
Prepare their business plans.
Regions by RWMG and councils
Region
RWMG and Executive Officer
LGA/councils
Barwon South
West
*Barwon RWMG
Colac Otway Shire Council
Enzo Bruscella
Greater Geelong City Council
Queenscliffe Borough Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
*South Western RWMG
Corangamite Shire Council
(Waste Reduction Group)
Glenelg Shire Council
Cydoni Edwards
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Gippsland
*Gippsland RWMG
Mathew Peake
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Latrobe City Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council
Grampians
*Desert Fringe RWMG
Wayne Lovett
*Grampians RWMG
Kerrie Tomkins
Hindmarsh Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
*Highlands RWMG
Philip Clingin
Ballarat City Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Hume
*Goulburn Valley RWMG
Campaspe Shire Council
(Resource GV)
Greater Shepparton City Council
Nick Nagle
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
*North Eastern RWMG
Alpine Shire Council
(NevRwaste)
Benalla Rural City Council
Brooke Hermans
Indigo Shire Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Wodonga Rural City Council
(and three Alpine resorts)
Loddon Mallee
*Calder RWMG
Greater Bendigo City Council
Peter Chudek
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
*Central Murray RWMG
Buloke Shire Council
Karen Fazzani
Gannawarra Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
*Mildura RWMG
Mildura Rural City Council
Amanda Blakney/Melanie Bell
*NB. The ministerial Advisory Committee has recommended amalgamation of RWMG’s. As recommendations are enacted by
government, revision to this document will be made.
SV contacts for regions (March 2014)
Division
Barwon
South West
Gippsland
Grampians
Hume
LoddonMallee
Martina
Rienzner
Kristy Roche
Engagement
Statewide Engagement Team
Manager : Andrew Straker  (03) 8626 8813
Strategic
Coordinators
Amy O’Brien
Luke Wilkinson
Trish Kevin
 0418 149068
 0427 850
478
 0409 060109
 0419 311 765
 0408 110
431
Education Team
Manager : Jane Liefman  (03) 8626 8861
Claire Ruedin
Simon Hum
 (03)
86268747
 (03) 8626
8793
Candyce
Presland
 (03)
86268774
Simon Hum
 (03)
86268793
Candyce
Presland
 (03)
86268774
Integrated Waste Management
Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy
Manager : David Cocks  (03) 86268765
Barwon
Gippsland
Highlands
Andrew
Buzacott
Val McGregor
Nick Bailey
 (03)
86566701
 (03)
86268742
 (03)
86268824
Goulburn
Valley
Calder
Nicola Thom
 (03)
86268765
 (03)
86268726
Grampians
South West
Marcus Fogarty
 (03)
86268788
Ben Stephenson
 (03)
86268807
David Cocks
Central Murray
North Eastern
David Cocks
 (03)
86268765
Nick Bailey
 (03)
86268824
Desert Fringe
Ben Stephenson
Mildura
 (03)
86268807
 (03)
86268820
Kelly Wickham
Resource Efficiency
Business Productivity Team
Manager: Katrina Woolfe  (03) 86268823
Yolanda Sztarr
 (03)
86268843
Nick
Katsanevakis
 (03)
86268755
Andrew Haus
Helen Scott
Kel Dummett
 (03)
86268874
 (03)
86268855
 (03)
86268729
Acronyms
ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
ALP
Australian Labor Party
CBD
Central Business District
CMA
Catchment Management Authority
DSDBI
Department of State Development, Business and Innovation
DEECD
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
DTPLI
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
DEPI
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
EEIG
Energy Efficiency Information Grant
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
HACC
Home and community care
IWM
Integrated waste management
kV
Kilovolts (equivalent to 1000 volts)
LGA
Local government area
LP
Liberal Party of Australia
LPO
Litter Prevention Officer
MAC
Ministerial Advisory Committee on Waste and Resource Recovery Governance
Reform, 2013
NP
National Party of Australia
RDA
Regional Development Australia
RDV
Regional Development Victoria
ResourceSmart
AuSSI Vic
ResourceSmart Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative Victoria
RMF
Regional Management Forum
RWMG
Regional Waste Management Group
SME
Small to medium sized enterprise
SV
Sustainability Victoria
SV2015
SV’s Strategic Plan 2012–15
TAFE
Technical and Further Education
VECCI
Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Regional Strategic Coordinators and Regional Waste Management Groups
Strategic Regional
Coordinators
Luke Wilkinson
DEPI office, Traralgon
T 1300 363 744
M 0427 850 478
Martina Reinzner
DEPI office, Seymour
T 5735 4330
M 0408 110 431
Kristy Roche
DEPI office,
Epsom
T 5430 4544
M 0419 311 765
Trish Kevin
DEPI office,
Ballarat
T 5336 6856
M 0409 060 109
Amy O’Brien
DEPI office,
Colac
T 5233 5549
M 0418 149 068
Kim Johnson
Ray Liversidge
SV office Melbourne
T 1300 363 744
Region
Gippsland
Hume
Loddon Mallee
Grampians
Barwon South West
Metropolitan
Population
260,766
309,986
278,395
224,636
373,191
Regional features
Features
Details
Subregions
*Barwon RWMG
Colac Otway Shire Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Queenscliffe Borough Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
*South Western RWMG
Corangamite Shire Council
(Waste Reduction Group)
Glenelg Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Two subregions: The Barwon Region (G21) and the Great South Coast.
Prominent towns: Geelong and Warrnambool
Geographical features
Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park, surf beaches, Barwon
River
Transport
Two bulk ports at Geelong and Portland (Corio Bay and Portland Ports)
Avalon Airport and rural airports in Hamilton, Portland and Warrnambool.
Established rail network.
Major roads and travel
times
Key infrastructure
From
To
Route
Distance
(km)
Travel
(hours)
Geelong
South Australia
border
Princes
Highway
368
4:23
Torquay
Warrnambool
Great
Ocean
Road
254
3:54
Geelong
Hamilton
Hamilton
Highway
233
2:50
Portland
Hamilton
Henty
Highway
85
1:02
Existing 550 kV electricity transmission line
Shell oil refinery
Aluminium smelters in Point Henry (to be closed 2014) and Portland
Coal mine and power station in Anglesea (future unknown)
Renewable energy – wind farms and geothermal
Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant, Barwon Water
Blue Circle Southern Cement kilns
1 1 | Regional Profiles – Further reading
Gas fields in the Otway basin
Ports- Corio and Portland
Mineral sand processing at Hamilton
Meat processing at Warrnambool, Geelong and Colac
Licensed landfills – Naroghid, Portland, Hamilton, Anglesea, Drysdale,
and inert landfills at Killarney, Alvie and Fyansford
*NB. The ministerial Advisory Committee has recommended amalgamation of RWMG’s. As recommendations are enacted by
government, revision to this document will be made.
Key facts
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Barwon South West has 800 km of coastline which is 40% of Victoria’s coast.
The region has nine LGAs under two subregions.
The regional centre, Geelong, is Victoria’s largest regional city.
The Gunditjmara people have native title land in the far south west.
The region enjoys booming health, social services and education sectors.
Barwon South West is Australia’s largest milk production area and is home to 20% of the national
plantation timber industry.
Other industries include aluminium production, food processing and automotive manufacturing.
Emerging industries include new energy, food security and biotechnology.
The region has good transport links with two seaports with road and rail freight connections and
Avalon Airport.
Demography
Population: 350,000 (approx.)
G21 region
Great South Coast region
Municipal centres
Population
Municipal centres
Population
Geelong CBD,
223,047
Camperdown,
17,469
City of Greater Geelong
Queenscliff,
Corangamite Shire
3,306
Borough of Queenscliffe
Torquay,
Surf Coast Shire
Colac Otway Shire
Golden Plains
34,193
Hamilton,
17,411
Southern Grampians Shire
19,014
Shire2
Warrnambool CBD,
Warrnambool City Council
22,108
Bannockburn,
16,906
Moyne Shire
26,873
Colac,
Port Fairy,
Portland,
21,236
Glenelg Shire
42 Golden Plains Shire is included as part of the G21 group for strategic planning purposes, but is part of the Highlands RWMG
for waste management purposes
Political context
Level
Representative
Federal
Dan Tehan
LP
Member for Wannon
Sarah Henderson
LP
Member for Corangamite
Richard Marles
ALP
Member for Corio
Lisa Neville
ALP
(Bellarine)
Hugh Delahunty
NP
(Lowan)
John Eren
ALP
(Lara)
Andrew Katos
LP
(South Barwon)
Denis Napthine
LP
(South West Coast)
Ian Trezise
ALP
(Geelong)
Terry Mulder
LP
(Polwarth)
State-Legislative Assembly
State- Legislative Council
David Koch
LP
David O’Brien
NAT
Simon Ramsay
LP
Jaala Pulford
ALP
Gayle Tierney
ALP
Regional context
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RDA in partnership with RDV and the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development and Local Government completed the Barwon South West Strategic Plan in 2010.
The City of Greater Geelong signed a sustainability covenant with EPA Victoria, the Committee
for Geelong, Barwon Water, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Deakin University and the
Geelong Manufacturing Council. The group developed the Future Proofing Geelong partnership
program, setting up a project delivery team in their economic development unit. In 2011, they
completed the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Greater Geelong with ClimateWorks Australia. As a
result, the council is targeting commercial buildings, SMEs and community capacity building.
The Great South West Community Report Card was completed in 2011. The report card ranks 30
sustainability indicators across six LGAs to report on the condition of communities and
environment. It includes waste management and household energy as indicators.
1 3 | Regional Profiles – Further reading
Regional priorities
The Barwon South West Regional Strategic Plan identifies five key objectives for the region:
Objective
Purpose
Priority activities
1. A resilient and
diverse economy
To position Barwon South
• Industry transition
West for economic growth
• New energy
in a global market
• Food and water security
• Tourism
2. An exemplar of
environmental
sustainability
To protect and enhance
• Sustainable land use
the natural assets of
• Climate change planning and risk
management
Barwon South West
• Sustaining natural resources
3. Education and
opportunities
4. A connected
Barwon South
West
To develop a smarter,
• Higher education attainment rates
more skilled, more resilient
• Skills for growing and emerging industries
community and workforce
• Better access to education and training
To improve infrastructure
• National Broadband Network opportunities
and challenges
networks to build
economic competitiveness,
environmental sustainability
and social cohesion
• Transport infrastructure, including Geelong
Ring Road, Avalon
Airport, harbour improvements, Great Ocean
Road upgrades,
upgraded rail and road links, and upgrade to
Princes Highway
West (funding secured and under construction)
• Social networks and infrastructure
5. Empowered
communities
To develop healthy,
liveable, equitable
communities
• Address entrenched disadvantage through
regeneration activities in Corio, Norlane,
Whittington, Colac and Portland
• Improve health and wellbeing
• Increase the capacity of health and
community care
Other regional priorities include:
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implementing the Green Triangle Region Freight Action Plan
investing in the Geelong Cultural Precinct
setting up a regional research and information centre to meet rural and regional data
management needs
developing network infrastructure for the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct
investing in town centre upgrades
reconstructing Yarra St Pier
developing existing and proposed trails in the G21 region as part of the G21 Regional Trails
project
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building National Defence Industrial Association headquarters in Geelong
redeveloping Simonds Stadium (stage 2) – funding secured and under construction
supporting regional growth, particularly in the Armstrong Creek and Warrnambool growth areas
developing a purpose-built convention and exhibition centre
establishing an Australian centre for emerging infectious diseases
investing in structures and processes for the implementation of the Great South Coast Regional
Strategic Plan.
Economic profile
According to ABS data in 2010, around 199,000 people are employed in the region.
Most people work in healthcare and social assistance; around 15% of the labour force. The
manufacturing sector employs a further 13%, retail trade 12%, and agriculture, forestry and fishing
employs 6%.
Industry profile by subregion
Subregion
Industry Profile
Great Surf Coast region
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G21 Region
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Agriculture generates around $2 billion gross revenue each year and
employs 20%
of the workforce
Manufacturing generates $4 billion a year, a quarter of which is derived
from dairy projects
Forestry will harvest 180,000 hectares of blue gum plantation over the
next few years
Retail and construction contribute more than $1 billion per year to the
economy
Health, community services and education sectors are significant local
employers
Growing renewable energy industry based on proven wind, oil and
natural gas resources
Strong tourism sector with half of all regional international overnight
visits in the Great Ocean Road region
Manufacturing has been a major contributor to the local economy in
the past and continues to play an important role today
Tourism, health, education and research, retailing and other tertiary
sector activities employ a large proportion of the workforce
Leading centre in industrial research, health technology, biotechnology
and agricultural research
Highly skilled labour force which has diversified its skill base in recent
years in response to local business needs
Premier tourist destination and resort location
Education and training is a key strength
1 5 | Regional Profiles – Further reading
Funded sustainability project examples
Recent SV projects
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Current SV projects
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Third party sustainability
projects
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Energy and Water Taskforce with Western District Employment
Access
Landfill liners in Corangamite
Kerbside green waste trial Southern Grampians.
Green Light Project (Geelong Manufacturing Council and Barwon
RWMG)
Green Organics Soil Improvement Program, Barwon RWMG
Roadside litter projects (Barwon RWMG and Waste Reduction Group)
ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic schools (Barwon South West Consortia)
RWMG support funding (Barwon RWMG and Waste Reduction
Group)
SRSB Materials and Energy- 5 businesses
SRSB- Energy Efficient Office Buildings- 1 building approved
Regional PPR program- Alcoa Foundation funded
Climate Resilient Communities of Barwon South West- VASP funded
(DEPI)
Geelong Cleantech Cluster- market research project- Manufacturing
productivity program (DSDPI) funded
Community Energy Efficiency Program- Department of Industry
funded
Renewable Energy Project, Geelong- RDV Funded
Barwon Sustainability Hub- BRWMG funded feasibility study
SWOT analysis
Strengths
Opportunities
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Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city
and is rapidly growing with a diverse and
vibrant economy
Internationally recognised landscapes (the
Great Ocean Road) and other natural assets
Manufacturing sector including aluminium and
food processing
Diverse agriculture sector – Australia’s largest
milk production region (significant valueadding occurs via milk and meat processing)
and 20% of the national plantation forestry
Good sea and air transport links
Natural gas reserves, existing 550kV
electricity transmission currently at 25%
capacity, and strong wind, wave and
geothermal resources
Extensive networks, mature governance
structures and well developed regional
strategic planning processes
Water resources an important natural asset
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New energy, particularly new wind and gas
fired facilities. Wave energy projects are
currently being considered off the far west
coast
As an internationally significant tourism
destination, there is scope to improve yield
and encourage visitor dispersal
Leveraging off higher education and research
institutions – the region has building
capabilities in biotechnology, information and
communication technology, carbon fibre
and clean technology
Timber harvest in the green triangle region
has growth potential
Weaknesses
Threats
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Regional socio-disadvantage with pockets of
entrenched disadvantage
Lower rates than state average in some
significant health-related indicators
Completion of Year 12 and participation in
further education lower than the state
average
Road infrastructure is inadequate – in poor
repair and a serious barrier to regional growth
Inadequate rail services – quality, reliability
and frequency
Limited broadband capacity in some parts of
the Region
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Current workforce demands are not being
met. Regional growth and emerging
industries place further demands on labour
Carbon intensive industries (e.g. oil refining,
cement production, aluminium) are likely to
be heavily affected by carbon trading
Impact of climate change on agriculture and
risks of rising sea level on coastal
communities
Catastrophic events – the region has many
high-risk bushfire areas
Economy in transition – the rise of emerging
markets and reduced trade barriers affect the
region’s employment
1 7 | Regional Profiles – Further reading
Further reading
This section provides a list of organisations providing regional development information in Victoria.
All web addresses are correct as at June 2013.
ClimateWorks Australia
ClimateWorks Australia publishes a number of plans related to lowering emissions, including the low
carbon growth plans for Geelong and Gippsland.
www.climateworksaustralia.org/publications.html
Council websites
Most councils publish economic reports and statistics on their websites. A full list of councils with
websites is available on the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure website.
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/find-your-local-council
Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI)
DSDBI has published an Industry Atlas of Victoria (2011).
www.dsdbi.vic.gov.au/research-reports/industry-atlas-of-victoria
Regional Development Victoria (RDV)
RDV provides regional development summaries on the five regions and publishes regional and
subregional growth plans and strategic plans.
www.rdv.vic.gov.au/victorian-regions.
Fuelled for Growth: The 2012 Ernst and Young report on bioenergy (Fuelled for Growth: Investing in
Victoria’s biofuels and bioenergy industries) is available for download at
www.rdv.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry-programs/biofuels-and-bioenergy.
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (DTPLI)
DTPLI publishes regional and subregional growth plans and strategic plans for Victorian regions.
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/projects-and-programs/regionalgrowthplans/
Profile.id
Profile.id uses the 2011 Census to provide comprehensive, online, socio-demographic profiles
of local government areas.
www.home.id.com.au/id-community/local-govt-products/profileid.
RWMG websites
The RWMGs publish business plans and annual reports on their websites. For a full list of RWMGs
and their websites, see contact details listed on the SV website: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au.