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Wellington leads the State with groundbreaking Population PolicyWellington Shire Council is to lead the way for local government in Victoria by compiling and implementing a groundbreaking Population Policy to address the impact of an ageing population on the local economy and services. By Wellington Shire Council - 26th April 2004 - Back to News The first council to participate in this State Government initiative, Wellington is receiving funding from the Department of State and Regional Development for the project. It is also receiving the expertise of a leading authority in this area of study – Dr Craig Shepherd of the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR). He is author of this year’s State of the Regions Report on the issue - designed to assist councils across Australia as they develop strategies to promote the regional and economic development of their communities.
The ageing of Australian society in general during the next 20 years presents regional communities and small towns with challenges that have not been encountered in the past and many may not appreciate the extent of the impact.
Over the coming weeks Wellington, working with the NIEIR, will be seeking to identify the main population issues facing towns across the shire. A program of comprehensive local consultation - including interviews, public meetings and focus groups - is being coordinated with help from the council’s Community Development Unit.
Individual town reports will be compiled based on the feedback. These will look at the affects on the economic and demographic viability of each town covered, the likely age mix and the consequent impact on infrastructure provision, schooling and council and government resources. They will be incorporated in the resulting Population Policy.
The council is inviting the shire community to help with the research by attending any of the public meetings organised during May. There is no age restriction and everyone is welcome to participate. Simply turn up on the day. The dates and times are:
Wednesday 12 May: Heyfield Resource Centre 4pm
Wellington Room, Port of Sale 7pm
Civic Centre
Thursday 13 May: Loch Sport Public Hall 4pm
Maffra Memorial Hall 7pm
Friday 14 May: Yarram District Health Service 4pm
(Multipurpose Room)
It is expected that Wellington Shire Council will have its Population Policy prepared and ready to implement in time for the coming financial year. m/f…
Said Wellington’s Chief Executive Officer, Lyndon Webb: "To be the first council in Victoria to pursue such an understanding of our shire’s changing character and influences will be setting Wellington in a most advantageous position. Not only will we be at the forefront with such important information about our people and their future needs, but we will be leading the way for other councils across the State, and acting as a benchmark for them to follow in compiling their own Population Policies.
"There is no doubt that the impact on Wellington of an ageing population over the next 20 years will be profound. We need to identify particular needs and pressure points now so that we can start to prepare for the future. The timing of the current research is spot-on and we would encourage the community to participate as fully as possible, because at the end of the day, how our population changes is going to impact on everyone."
For more information on the Population Policy please contact Wellington Shire Council’s Community Planner Julia Farrell on 1300 366 244.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services. - Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration. - Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028. - Seven Gippsland farmers markets to explore for fresh produce, local treats and delicious weekend breakfasts
Gippsland’s seven farmers markets offer fresh local produce, seafood, baked treats, artisan goods and coffee, making weekend mornings delicious opportunities to meet growers and discover regional flavours. - Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement. - Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Baw Baw Employment Expo returns this September to connect job seekers with local employers and training providers
Baw Baw Employment Expo returns September 30, connecting job seekers with local employers, vacancies and training providers. The free event also offers resume support, networking opportunities, industry insights, coffee vouchers and lunch. - Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities.
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