Draft Upper Yarra Context Analysis by Yarra Ranges Council

Upper Yarra Context Analysis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Yarra Ranges Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri and other Kulin Nations as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of these lands. We pay our respects to all Elders, past, present, and emerging, who have been, and always will be, integral to the story of our region. We proudly share custodianship to care for Country together.

Photo: Brisbane Bridge, Warburton PHOTO: Brisbane Bridge, Warburton Cover Photo: O’Shannassy River, East Warburton PHOTO: Brisbane Bridge, Warburton 2 FRONT COVER PHOTO: Yarra Ranges National Park, Reefton

CONTENTS Introduction

Smart Specialisation Strategy

•

Stage 1: Regional Context Analysis

•

Stage 2: Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshops

•

Stage 3: Innovation Working Groups

•

Stage 4: Local Development Strategy completion

Upper Yarra Region – The Place

Timber Industry

Environment

In Focus

•

Yarra Junction

•

Warburton

•

Powelltown

Upper Yarra Region – Demographics

•

Population

•

Education

•

Health

•

Income & Socio-Economic details

Economy & Employment

•

Economy – Value Added

•

Economy - Expenditure

•

Employment

•

Tourism & The Visitor Economy

Community & Stakeholder Interviews

•

Community & Stakeholder Identified Strengths

•

Community & Stakeholder Identified Challenges

•

Identified Innovation Opportunities

Nature-Based Tourism – “The Walking Economy”

Artisan Agriculture and Food Production

Renewable Energy & Energy Resilience

Repurposing “Abandoned Places” and Under-Used Buildings

Ecological Maintenance & Enhancement

Improved Transport & Access

References

Appendices

INTRODUCTION In 2019 the Victorian Government announced the transition away from native forest logging in Victorian state forests.

The Victorian Government has

provided more than $875 million to support the state’s transition away from native timber harvesting, including support for affected businesses, workers and communities. Eleven priority communities for transition, including the Upper Yarra region, were identified for support through this package via a Victorian Forestry Local Development Strategy (LDS) Program Grant. This grant helps communities to undertake long-term planning and identify opportunities for innovation and economic diversification to: •

support the local economy to grow and adapt to changing industry trends,

•

create new job opportunities, and

•

long-term economic and social benefits to the area.

Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) was successful in securing the LDS Grant funding to host the project on behalf of the Upper Yarra region that includes Yarra Junction, Warburton, and Powelltown. The development of the Local Development Strategy is a partnership between the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and YRC. It is locally led and undertaken in partnership with multiple stakeholders. As project hosts, YRC works with the community to identify the area’s strengths, assets, challenges and unique opportunities for innovation and economic development. The project creates partnerships between community, government, industry, and education, with specialist project support and academic rigor from RMIT University. This Regional Context Analysis is a foundational document and provides key information to promote a shared understanding of the Upper Yarra region. This includes its strengths and assets, its challenges and informs potential Innovation Opportunities for the region.

SMART SPECIALISATION STRATEGY (S3) The LDS project uses the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) approach. The approach promotes place-based innovation, economic transformation, and sustainability by focusing on a region’s strengths and unique local opportunities. It is a researchoriented and inclusive process of stakeholders’ involvement that sets priorities from the bottom up (Foray et al 2012, p.35). The S3 approach originated in Europe and was first used in Australia in the Latrobe Valley to restructure the regional economy and develop sustainable energy sources when the Hazelwood coalmine and power station closed. Smart Specialisation uses an innovation model known as the Quadruple Helix. It involves local community, industry/business, government, and education/research stakeholders as active participants in the discussions and development of innovation. This model helps ensure that all those necessary for the successful adoption and development of initiatives are involved.

Figure 1: The Smart Specialisation Quadruple Helix

The process moves through four stages as per Table 1 to ensure that the process involves community consultation, collaboration and is truly reflective of the communities’ assets, challenges, and opportunities.

Stage 1: Regional Context Analysis •

Desktop analysis.

•

Community interviews and

Stage 3: Innovation Working Groups •

propositions.

analysis.

•

Innovation opportunities identified

•

Innovation Working Groups test Technical and specialist advice sought.

and defined.

•

Preparation and implementation of project scope.

Stage 2: Entrepreneurial Discovery

Stage 4: LDS Completion

Entrepreneurial Discovery Process

•

(EDP) workshops to assess

established.

innovation opportunities.

•

Innovation Working Groups

•

Ongoing governance arrangements Potential sources of government and private investment identified.

formed. Project Leadership Group

•

established.

Table 1: The 4 Stages of Smart Specialisation

STAGE 1: REGIONAL CONTEXT ANALYSIS The first stage of the project started with a desktop analysis, reviewing reports and data from a variety of agencies and organisations. This data included: •

the history of the region

•

demographic data (age, family status, education, employment, income)

•

geographical information

•

local and projected industry trends

•

policy settings, including Local Government plans and strategies relevant to the Upper Yarra Plans (see Table 13)

•

a timber industry economic impact assessment. 6

This data was supplemented by face-to-face interviews with a broad sample of the community representing government, education/research, community, and industry/business sectors. During the interviews, each person shared what they saw as the strengths/assets, challenges from which several Innovation Opportunities for the Upper Yarra were identified.

STAGE 2: ENTREPRENEURIAL DISCOVERY PROCESS Following the release of this Regional Context Analysis, the project will progress through the next stages which includes the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process. Workshops will be held on each of the identified Innovation Opportunities, determining the viability, the scope, and key partners in project development. This is an ‘inclusive evidence-based process’ for defining and selecting areas of specialisation and the formation of Innovation Working Groups. An effective Entrepreneurial Discovery Process leads to decisions and programs that are backed by a solid evidence base and have support from across the community.

STAGE 3: INNOVATION WORKING GROUPS Innovation Working Groups will develop the proposals agreed during the Entrepreneurial Discovery Phase. They test, refine, and define proposals for innovation and may include the establishment of pilot projects. They will also be responsible for preparing business cases and other documentation that makes a case for support and investment. The Working Groups bring together perspectives from business, government, education/research, and community.

STAGE 4: LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY COMPLETION The Local Development Strategy completion phase will include ongoing arrangements for governance and support from Yarra Ranges Council and other state government entities.

UPPER YARRA REGION – THE PLACE Yarra Ranges Council is the largest municipality in Greater Melbourne by area, covering a total area of 244,700 ha with just 2% owned by Council, 30% in private ownership and 68% as public land. The Upper Yarra region is in the eastern part of Yarra Ranges Council Local Government Area and is centered around the Warburton Highway and the Yarra Junction to Noojee Road. The Upper Yarra communities include Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Don Valley, Yarra Junction, Millgrove, Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, McMahons Creek, Big Pats Creek, Powelltown, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Hoddle’s Creek, Beenak and Yellingbo. The Upper Yarra offers a beautiful setting for over 17,000 residents, with scenic rural valleys and forested mountains. This scenery attracts tourists and provides a vital income for many local businesses and residents across the municipality. One Upper Yarra resident described the region as “regional Australia, without getting lost”. While this paper considers the Upper Yarra region, there is a specific focus on Yarra Junction, Warburton and Powelltown, which were identified as being directly affected by the transition away from native timber harvesting in state forests.

TIMBER INDUSTRY The Upper Yarra region supports a timber industry and importantly has been a source for timber for well over 100 years. There are two large sawmills operating in the region: Reid Brothers in Yarra Junction and the Powelltown Sawmills in Powelltown. There is also a small mill operating in Wesburn (Kelly’s). A former timber mill (Warburton Timber Co.) based at Gladysdale is owned by Powelltown Sawmills. The timber mill located in Millgrove (Premier Timber Milling) uses timber harvested from outside the state forest estate – typically cypress pine from farms and rescued hardwood and softwood from elsewhere (e.g., from subdivisions, developments, road widening etc.). 8

VicForests, the state-owned company managing native forest harvesting, has an office in Woori Yallock. Since the announcement to end native timber harvesting in state forests, VicForests’ operations are under a review process. As at the 2021 Census, the forestry and logging industry directly supported 57 jobs within the Upper Yarra region (see Table 2 below). More broadly, forestry & timber processing industries supports 149 jobs in the Upper Yarra region. Most processing occurs in the communities of Powelltown and Yarra Junction. With a small-town population of a little over 200, Powelltown will be the most impacted area should the sawmill close with many employees living close by. Currently however, the Powelltown mill continues processing logs sourced from interstate and from freehold land, but the longevity of sawlog supply is not currently publicly known. There are also hardwood plantations and properties in the region with planning permits to selectively log. Output

Employment

Value

Local

($M)

(Jobs)

Added

Sales

Expenditure

($M)

Forestry & Logging

$28.2

$15.4

$12.9

$5.5

Forestry Support

$4.6

$1.

$3.7

$1.8

$36.4

$9.1

$1.6

$18.0

$3.4

$1.1

$2.9

$1.0

$72.6

149

$26.9

$21.1

$26.6

Services Sawmill Product Manufacturing Other Wood Product Manufacturing Forestry & Timber Processing Total Table 2: Various indicators for the forestry & timber processing sector, Upper Yarra Source: REMPLAN

ENVIRONMENT The Upper Yarra includes the iconic Mountain Ash forests and cool temperate rainforested areas in both the national park and the state forest. Key features of Yarra Ranges National Park include Mt Donna Buang (1250 metres asl), the Rainforest Gallery, the Redwood Forest, the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Track, and the Upper Yarra Reservoir (Dam). The Yarra River and the O’Shannassy River flow through parts of the national park. 9

The Upper Yarra is home to iconic species such as the Powerful Owl, the Helmeted Honeyeater, the Southern Greater Glider, the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly and Leadbeater’s Possum. The Yarra Ranges supports 188,000 ha of native vegetation and is home to at least 1790 native flora and 968 native fauna species. The Upper Yarra support a diverse range of plants and animals including significant populations of platypus, frogs and fish. These waterways and key water storages such as the O’Shannassy and the Upper Yarra Reservoirs are important as a significant source of Melbourne’s drinking water. Because of the role the Upper Yarra catchments play in providing fresh drinking water to Melbourne, the water catchment and reservoirs are the most important economic and environmental assets. There are a range of volunteer groups with environment expertise in Upper Yarra. These include Yarra Valley ECOSS, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Friends of Leadbeaters Possum, Friends of Myrtle Beach, Warburton Environment, the Upper Yarra Reserve Committee of Management and Landcare groups. While YRC has direct management responsibility over a small percentage of land, its influence reaches into private land via the planning process and revegetation programs including “Ribbons of Green”. Melbourne Water is the lead agency for implementing the Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo) 2022-2032 supporting a collaborative management approach by state and local government authorities and community. The Plan connects planning law and water management, for the first time, to protect the natural beauty and health of the Yarra River’s landscapes. Other key agencies working in the Upper Yarra include DEECA, and Parks Vic. In 2019, the State Government established Immediate Protection Areas (IPAs) within the State Forest network. These areas are protected from timber harvesting to conserve key species such as the Greater Glider, Leadbeater’s Possum and more than 35 other threatened species. The Central Highlands Immediate Protection Areas (IPAs) which include the Upper Yarra region are approximately 52,000 ha in total, combining 22,000 ha of existing protected State Forest (Special Protection Zone) and 30,000 ha of new protections. On 23rd May 2023, the Victorian Government announced that commercial native timber harvesting would end by 1 January 2024. This included the announcement of an advisory panel that would be established to consider the future of state forests subject to the timber harvesting Allocation Order.

Figure 2: Immediate Protection Area Map also showing state forests and existing parks and reserves – Central Highlands

In Focus For at least 35,000 years, the Wurundjeri people have been the traditional custodians of the land within Yarra Ranges including the Upper Yarra. Evidence of their rich cultural heritage and deep spiritual connection to this country can be found throughout the municipality. Indigenous residents make up 1.3% of the population of the Upper Yarra. The Upper Yarra region supports a timber industry that has been a key economic contributor for over 100 years. In 2022, the timber industry contributed $72.6 million to the local economy and supported 149 employees. The ending of native timber harvesting in 2024 is predicted to have a significant impact on the Upper Yarra region including Yarra Junction, Warburton and Powelltown. These communities are described below.

Yarra Junction European Settlement occurred in Yarra Junction in the 1880s. The early growth of Yarra Junction was tied to the timber industry and the railway line from Lilydale to Warburton which opened in 1901. Smaller “tramways” carried timber from as far away as Noojee and Powelltown. The Reid Brothers Timber Mill is prominent on the Little Yarra Road as are also the Upper Yarra Secondary College, Little Yarra Steiner School and Cire Services. Yarra Junction currently serves as a service hub for the region due to its central location providing retail and medical services to both the Upper Yarra Valley settlements of Wesburn, Millgrove, Warburton and beyond and the Little Yarra Settlements of Gladysdale, Three Bridges, Gilderoy and Powelltown.

A main feature of Yarra Junction is the Recreation Reserve containing the Yarra Centre (swimming, gym, basketball etc.) tennis courts, football/cricket facilities, and the Yarra Junction Bowling Club. The 2021 census shows the population of Yarra Junction as 2875, an increase of by 13% since 2016. With several residential developments within Yarra Junction taking place, the population is likely to continue to increase. A Place Plan process is currently underway for Yarra Junction that will provide an opportunity for the community to inform Council of what is important and what should be the focus for improvement.

Warburton Gold was discovered in the Warburton area in 1863 and the first European settlements originated around this time. With the arrival of the main line railway in 1901 the area opened up as a popular destination for visitors from Melbourne seeking the cool, invigorating mountain air. Of particular importance was the arrival of the Seventh Day Adventists in 1904 who established a printing works in 1906, a hospital in 1910 and the Sanitarium Weetbix Factory in 1937. The railway, closed since 1965, has been repurposed as a rail trail linking Warburton to Lilydale via Yarra Junction and is a very popular walking and cycling trail. Warburton has a rich history in timber and steam railways with a vast network of timber tramways throughout the region that used to supply timber to sawmills and to the mainline railway at Warburton. The murals painted on the former railway platform celebrate much of this heritage. The O’Shannassy Reservoir was built in the 1920s and the Upper Yarra Reservoir (Dam) was completed in 1957 and remain an important source for Melbourne’s drinking water. The O’Shannassy Aqueduct was decommissioned in 1997 but the aqueduct track has since become an important asset for walkers and cyclists. With the closure of the Warburton Hospital, the Weetbix Factory, the Board of Works Depot, and some of the local sawmills in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Warburton underwent a decline in prosperity. With the cost of housing low, and beautiful scenery, the town attracted “tree changers” and artists that has helped transition the town to what it is today. Projects such as Warburton Water World and a revamped Holiday Park has contributed to the importance of the visitor economy.

The Yarra River (or Birrarung) flows through the town and behind the row of shops and cafes. The river is very popular as a place to walk beside, swim in and to admire. For many locals the river is a place of connection with nature. The Warburton Arts Centre comprises a cinema/theatre, gallery, and the Mechanics Institute Hall. Following the Environmental Effect process, work on the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination Project in Yarra Ranges National Park and the Yarra State Forest is expected to start in 2024. The project is funded by Federal, State and Local Government and the local Community Bank and is expected to draw visitors and, once fully developed, is predicted to attract 128,000 visitors per annum and create 159 jobs. In November 2021 YRC adopted the Warburton Place Plan. The plan sets out clear actions to address the community’s aspirations and vision for the township while guiding the decision making by Council for future infrastructure, programs and services for the area. Following on from the Place Plan, progress is also underway for YRC to adopt the Warburton Urban Design Framework (UDF) that will map out future development over the next 10-20 years. At the 2021 Census, the population of Warburton was 2020, which indicates a stable population from the previous 2016 census. A number of prominent planning proposals are currently being progressed in Warburton, most notably the redevelopment of the Weetbix Factory that will provide visitor accommodation and specialist enterprises.

Powelltown Powelltown lies south of Warburton and is accessed via Yarra Junction. The main industry and employer in the community is the Powelltown Sawmill. The Powelly Pub serves as a general store, take-away and a post office. Other businesses operating in Powelltown include Little Yarra Furniture that uses timber from the sawmill to create high quality bespoke furniture. Powelltown is also associated with the Biodynamic Research Institute where biodynamic formulas are created on a small farm, though the main business operations are in Lilydale. Powelltown was settled in 1901 by H Blake who founded the first timber mill (Blake’s Mill) but a larger mill was built in 1913 by the Victorian Powell Wood Processing Co. The process known as powellising, where the town got its name from, was a preserving process involving molasses, arsenic, and water. The Powelltown tramway provided a goods and passenger service to Yarra Junction between 1913 and 1945. For a small population of 214 (at the 2021 Census), the township hosts an active football and netball club, an Angling Club, an active Community Halls Committee and the Powelltown Residents Water Association (PRWA). The PRWA manages nonpotable water taken from Learmonth Creek to a system of settling tanks where the water is supplied to residents. A new $4M community sports pavilion in the recreation reserve is currently under construction. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan investigation is currently being undertaken in the Boys Camp area of Powelltown – an informal camping and picnicking area with a former Forestry Commission building. The Powelltown community and economy has long been associated with the local timber mill. When the impact of the end of native timber harvesting and the mill’s future is clear, the project looks forward to working more closely with the community to support their future ambitions.

UPPER YARRA REGION - DEMOGRAPHICS The following section describes demographics of the Upper Yarra region. Where available, data for Yarra Junction, Warburton and Powelltown is also provided.

POPULATION In 2021, Upper Yarra had 17,037 residents, including 4,508 families (see Table 3 below). Indigenous residents comprise 1.3% of the population, slightly higher than the state average of 1%. The median age of residents is higher in the Upper Yarra region (43) compared to Yarra Ranges (40) and Victoria (38) data. Eighty percent of the residents are born in Australia.

MEDIAN AGE

POPULATION

Yarra Junction

2875

Warburton

2020

Powelltown

214

Upper Yarra

17,037

Yarra Ranges

156,068

Victoria

6.7 million

Table 3: Median Age and Population Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023

EDUCATION Overall, the Upper Yarra has a lower percentage of residents attaining a higher education qualification and a higher percentage of residents obtaining Certificate III and IV levels, as shown in Table 4. Level of highest educational attainment Year 12 (or

Certificates III

Advanced

Bachelor’s

equivalent)

and IV Level

Diploma and

degree and

Diploma Level

above

Yarra Junction

11.2%

24%

9.2%

11.9%

Warburton

12.3%

16.8%

11.5%

21%

Powelltown

11.5%

20.9%

4.4%

7.1%

Upper Yarra

12.6%

23.8%

10%

13.8%

Victoria

14.9%

14.3%

9.8%

29.2%

Table 4: Educational Attainment (people aged 15 years and over) Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023

There are several primary and secondary schools in the Upper Yarra region with the secondary schools including: •

Upper Yarra Secondary College (approx. 600 students)

•

Cire Community School (approx. 92 students) – an independent secondary school that offers flexible learning opportunities

•

Little Yarra Steiner School K-12 (approx. 261 students)

•

Woori Yallock Farm School – runs short term alternative programs to students facing personal, social or academic challenges

Several other schools have outdoor education programs and facilities in the region including: •

Melbourne High School (Millgrove)

•

Caulfield Grammar (Yarra Junction)

•

Alpine School (Don Valley)

There are no tertiary or TAFE educational establishments in the region with the closest TAFE being Box Hill Institute located in Lilydale. Cire Training offers nationally recognized and accredited qualifications and short courses across the Outer East, including at Yarra Junction. 18

HEALTH Upper Yarra has an above average level of residents with a mental health condition, at 11.4% of the population compared to 8.8% across Victoria. Around 32% of residents have one or more long-term health conditions, above the Victorian average (27%). While Yarra Junction, in particular, hosts a number of medical/health service providers, specialist health is accessed outside of the region (e.g., Lilydale, Ringwood, Box Hill). This can pose accessibility issues for those requiring specialist or emergency assistance. There is currently an ambulance station in Yarra Junction servicing the region and Eastern Volunteers offers a community transport option for non-urgent appointments.

INCOME AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETAILS Twenty percent of households in the Upper Yarra have incomes of less than $650 per week, compared to 14.5% for Yarra Ranges. The median household income is below average at $1,439 per week compared to $1,881 in Yarra Ranges. This contributes to housing affordability stress. The Upper Yarra when compared with the rest of Yarra Ranges has a lower level of socio-economic advantage and a higher level of disadvantage (Table 5). Note, SEIFA combines Census data such as income, education, employment, occupation, housing and family structure to summarise the socio-economic characteristics of an area. Index of Relative

Index of Relative

Index of Economic

Index of Education

Socio-Economic

Resources

& Occupation

Disadvantage

Advantage & Disadvantage

Upper

SCORE

DECILE

SCORE

DECILE

SCORE

DECILE

SCORE

DECILE

995

955

1017

943

1041

1014

1054

1001

Yarra Yarra Ranges TOTAL

Table 5: Comparisons of Degrees of Socio-Economic Disadvantage and Advantage. Source: Socio-Economic Indexes for Australia (SEIFA): Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) SEIFA Summary, Yarra Ranges, 2021

ECONOMY & EMPLOYMENT The industry sectors which are the key drivers of the Upper Yarra region’s economy in terms of regional exports, employment, value-added and local expenditure on goods and services are: •

Construction

•

Education & Training

•

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

•

Health Care & Social Assistance

Industry throughout the Upper Yarra produced an estimated $1.2 billion in annual output (gross revenue) in 2022. Total annual output has increased by $383.3 million, (or 48.3%) since 2017.

Construction

$259.8

$129.5

Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services

$154.4

$23.1

Manufacturing

$150.1

$94.4

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

$124.4

-$3.0

Education & Training

$75.1

$20.7

Health Care & Social Assistance

$22.1

$65.9

Retail Trade

$45.1 $8.8

Financial & Insurance Services

$41.3 $19.7

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

$37.2 $10.2

Accommodation & Food Services

-$0.9

-$50.0

$35.2

$0.0

Output ($M)

$50.0

$100.0

$150.0

$200.0

$250.0

Change from 2017 ($M)

Figure 3: Top 10 industries by output in 2022 and change from 2017, Upper Yarra. Source: REMPLAN

$300.0

Construction is the primary driver of regional revenue in the Upper Yarra, accounting for 22.1%, up from 16.4% in 2017. The construction services subsector contributes 61.7% of total construction industry revenue, which includes the subcategories of land development and site preparation, building structure, installation and completion services, and other services such as landscaping, machinery and operator and other minor roles. Timber processing sectors have also increased levels of output, from $25.7 million in 2017 to $39.8 million in 2022. Their share of regional output has also grown. The agriculture, forestry & fishing sector is the region’s fourth largest industry with Agriculture being a “key propulsive sector” with 2022 regional output shown in Table 6. Summary

Output $M

Employment/Jobs

Sheep, Grains, Beef & Dairy Cattle

$15.757 (1.3%)

44 (1.1%)

Poultry & Other Livestock

$6.981 (0.6%)

21 (0.5%)

Other Agriculture

$63.615 (5.4%)

196 (5.0%)

Aquaculture

$0.000 (0.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Forestry & Logging

$28.242 (2.4%)

57 (1.5%)

Fishing, Hunting & Trapping

$0.000 (0.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

$9.775 (0.8%)

41 (1.1%)

Support Services

Table 6: 2022 Summary of Agriculture Source Remplan 2022 Forestry & logging accounts for around 22.7% of output from the broader sector, slightly declining between 2017 and 2022 generating $28.2 million in 2022. Agriculture, forestry & fishing support services (around 20% of which is forestry support services), has declined over recent years and now generates around $9.8 million in revenue, down from $133 million in 2017.

ECONOMY – VALUE ADDED Value-added is the marginal economic value that is added by an industry or business to the costs of inputs. Industry throughout the Upper Yarra economy generated an estimated $558.4 million in annual value added as of 2022. Total value added increased by $140.5 million (or 33.6%) since 2017. The rental, hiring & real estate services sector is the 21

largest contributor to total value added whilst the agriculture, forestry & fishing sector declined by the largest value. Manufacturing is an important value adding sector which accounts for around 5.0% of the value added generated. The contribution of the sector has grown between 2017 and 2022. The share of the overall economy attributed to timber processing (sawmill, wood & paper products) has increased slightly. Over half of industries experienced a decline in the amount of annual value added between 2017 and 2022. Forestry & logging remained steady whilst the agriculture, forestry & fishing support services contracted over the period.

ECONOMY – EXPENDITURE Overall, the data is telling us that money earned by residents in the Upper Yarra is largely spent outside of the Region and money spent in the Region is mainly earned elsewhere, as evidenced in Table 7. The data also highlights the importance of Yarra Junction as a service centre for the Upper Yarra region and the importance of Warburton in the Visitor Economy. EXPENDITURE TYPE

WARBURTON

YARRA

POWELLTOWN

JUNCTION

ALL UPPER YARRA

Total Local Spend

$20.29 M

$37.53 M

$207.4 K

94.77 M

Resident Local Spend

$2.878 M

$6.572 M

$29.39 K

17.06 M

Internal Visitor Local

$4.77 M

$22.45 M

$116.9 K

46.12 M

$12.59 M

$7.996 M

$110 K

30.74 M

$11.41 M

$15.02 M

$1.265 M

114.30 M

$10.84 M

$14.42 M

$371.6 K

86.23 M

$10.22 M

$12.2 M

$398.4 K

74.47 M

Spend External Visitor Local Spend Resident Internal Escape Spend Resident External Escape Spend Resident Online Spend Table 7: Expenditure September 2022 – August 2023 (million) Source: Spendmapp by Geografia (Refer Appendices Table 15 for Spendmapp definitions.)

EMPLOYMENT As at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3896 jobs were

Top 3 Occupations in the Upper Yarra

supported by industry within the Upper Yarra area. An additional 790 jobs were supported since 2016, an increase of 25%. Construction, education & training,

1.Construction 15.3% 2. Education & Training 15.1%

agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance are the largest employing sectors in

3. Healthcare & Social Assistance 12.5%

the Upper Yarra. All these industries also grew in terms of jobs. Employment in the agricultural industry experienced a

slight increase in employment with gains in most subsectors offset by a decline in ‘other agriculture’. Forestry & logging grew by 24% from 46 jobs in 2016 to 57 in 2021. However, with the closure of the native forestry industry, the forestry support services sector may be the heaviest impacted in terms of flow on job losses. Manufacturing is the seventh largest employment sector in the Upper Yarra, providing around 5.8% of the jobs in the region. Employment is distributed amongst manufacturing subsectors, with sawmill, wood & paper product manufacturing providing most of the employment, growing from 64 in 2016 to 73 in 2021. Construction

597

237

Education & Training

590

119

Health Care & Social Assistance

487

100

Retail Trade

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

Accommodation & Food Services

Manufacturing

Other Services

360

359 295 227 141

-17

Administrative & Support Services

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Remaining

138 133 569

125

-100

100

Employment (Jobs) 2021

200

300

400

500

600

700

Change from 2016 (jobs)

Figure 4: Top 10 industries by level of employment in 2021 and change from 2016. Source: REMPLAN 23

Note: Industries sectors such as construction will involve mobile and transient workforces broader than the Upper Yarra. Taking Yarra Ranges as a whole, only 39% of the workforce live and work within Yarra Ranges.

Figure 5: Where Yarra Ranges Residents Work Source: ABS Census

TOURISM & THE VISITOR ECONOMY Tourism is an amalgam of activities across various industry sectors such as retail, accommodation and food services, and arts & recreation services. The visitor economy has long been an important aspect of the region with people being attracted to the region’s forests, rivers, and mountains. Warburton is the major tourist destination in the Upper Yarra region. Visitors to Warburton are attracted primarily by the environment (natural beauty) and the unique nature of the township, the cafes and the Yarra River that flows behind the shops. The total value of Tourism Output for Upper Yarra Valley is estimated at $62.750 million.1 It is anticipated that day visitation to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges will grow from 4.5 million visitors in 2023 per annum to 9.1 million by 2032.

Figure 5: Growth in Day Visitation Source: Draft YARRA VALLEY AND DANDENONG RANGES DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Draft Local Area Plan (LAP) for the Upper Yarra as part of the Draft Destination Management Plan (DMP) for the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges (YVDR) highlights the area’s natural beauty with the “Naturally Impressive” vision inspired by the YVDR’s strong connection to nature.

1 Source REMPLAN Tourism Analysis Module 2022

The LAP and the DMP suggests additional regional investments to include transport, accommodation, planning, food & drink, events and attractions, essential services, and local amenities. Each initiative helps meet four key objectives including: 1. Grow economic benefits of tourism by changing visitor travel behaviour a. increase visitor yield and length of stay b. shift day trip to overnight visitation c. shift weekend to mid-week visitation 2. Improve the visitor experience 3. Improve liveability 4. Improve support for tourism in the Yarra Valley Bushwalking and cycling are important activities for visitors to the Upper Yarra and is reflective of the natural beauty and the importance of tracks and trails. Visitors to the region spending more than one night in the Upper Yarra Valley also contribute significantly more than day trippers as Table 8 below shows. Visitor Profile

Domestic Day

Domestic

International

Overnight Average Stay (nights)

2.00

12.00

Average Spend per trip

$88

$390

$849

$167

$70

($) Average Spend per night ($)

Table 8: Visitor Average Expenditure Profile Report Source: REMPLAN Tourism Expenditure 2022

Share of

Visit

Bushwalking/

domestic holiday

national

botanical

visitor nights

parks/

or other

with selected

state

activities in the

Cycling

Visit

Tourist

Visit

Eat out/

Sightseeing/

Rainforest

Wildlife

trains

wineries

dine at a

looking

Walks

parks/

restaurant

around

public

zoos/

and/ or

parks

gardens

aquariums

cafe

31%

region over the 8 years ending September 2022 UPPER YARRA VALLEY

44%

15%

19%

61%

Table 9: Key Activities Undertaken by visitors to the Upper Yarra Valley Source: Tourism Research Australia Domestic Visitor Surveys

34%

The Yarra Ranges, largely because of its spectacular scenery, also attracts film crews. Across the entire Yarra Ranges Local Government Area, 66 official filming permits were issued for a total of 132 days in 2022, as per Table 10, and is likely to be higher in 2023. Feature films in recent times that featured both the natural and built environment in and around Warburton include Surviving Georgia (2011) and the TV Series Savage River (2022). YEAR

2022

Type

No. of applications

No. of filming days

Advertising

Feature Film

Short Film

Student Film

TV one-off

TV series

Other

TOTAL

132

Table 10: Yarra Ranges Local Government Area – Official Filming Permits Source: Yarra Ranges Council

COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS From February – September 2023, 88 interviews with a total 97 people were conducted to ensure a thorough understanding of the Upper Yarra with representatives from Government (22%), Business (26%), Community (37%) and Education/Research (15%) (see Appendices for a detailed overview of the stakeholders interviewed). The interviews are an iterative process and additional interviews can also be included. Interviewees were asked three key questions: 1. What are the key strengths/assets of the Upper Yarra region 2. What are the major challenges in the Upper Yarra region 3. Where do you think the key innovation opportunities are for the Upper Yarra region

Quadruple Helix

Business Community Education Government

Government 23%

Business 26%

Education 15% Community 36%

Figure 6: Cross Section of Interviewees

The interviewees were a representative from a cross-section of ages, gender and locales, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

16 15 14 12

10 8

8 7

6 4 3 2

1 0 0 Teens

1 20s

30s

40s

50s

60s

70s

0 80s

AGE GROUP MALE

FEMALE

Figure 7: Age and Gender Profile of Interviewees

Figure 8: Locale of Interviewees

COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS Interviewees were asked what they believed were the greatest strengths, assets, and challenges of the Upper Yarra. Table 11 summarises the strengths and assets identified in order of popularity. Only strengths or assets that were identified by at least 10% of interviewees are included in this table.

Assets

% of interviewees who listed asset

Natural Environment

95%

Community Strength

35%

Proximity to Melbourne

27%

Tracks & Trails

24%

Agriculture

23%

Community Diversity

20%

Rural Character

18%

History & Heritage

16%

Sports & Sports Clubs

16%

Tourism

16%

Yarra River

16%

Forest

14%

Outdoor Recreation

14%

Mountains

12%

Arts

11%

Services

11% Table 11: Strengths and Assets of the Upper Yarra

By far, the natural environment was chosen by most respondents as the compelling strength of the area with some also listing the river (Yarra), the mountains and forests. Of particular importance, particularly to community respondents in Warburton, was the Yarra River. One business owner commented on a desire “to create value and respect for nature”. Related to this was an appreciation of the rural landscape with 23% listing Agriculture as a strength and 18% listing the Rural Character. The communities living in the townships and villages across the Upper Yarra was also seen as a strength with one interviewee noting the “bucolic nature of the region”.

There were examples of communities coming together in times of need and demonstrated community resilience. One Yarra Junction resident recounted an incident when a tree fell over his car “all of a sudden I was surrounded by people with chainsaws clearing the fallen branches away and the road ahead”. The diversity in community was also seen as a strength – while ethnically the region is very homogeneous, views and ideas can be very diverse that can allow for innovation. Two organisations embracing innovation are Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre (YREC) and Yarra Valley ECOSS. The proximity to Melbourne was also listed as a strength and is important for the rural sector in getting produce to market, and the day visitor economy. Conversely, the closeness to Melbourne holds people back from staying longer within the region. A key asset is the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, which is very popular with walkers and cyclists, as is the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Track. A few key features in Yarra Ranges National Park were mentioned as a strength and including Mt Donna Buang and the Upper Yarra Reservoir. The Ada Tree and the Walk into History Track were also mentioned as key assets in the State Forest. Tourism and outdoor recreation were mentioned as a strength although tourism was also listed as a challenge. One business leader suggested the aspiration of “less visitors, more yield”.

COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES Below in Table 12 are the most identified challenges to innovation as identified by the community during the interview process. These challenges are not necessarily items to be addressed as Innovation Opportunities but can be considered as risks to innovation. Challenges

% of interviewees who listed challenge

Transport Challenges

39%

Risk of bushfires, floods, storms

22%

Abandoned & Under-used buildings

21%

Tourism

20%

Lack of local employment

23%

Divided community

20%

Poor infrastructure

19%

Limited affordable housing

17%

Limited opportunity for growth

17%

Lack of trust in Government

16%

Low socio-economic demographics

16%

Planning restrictions & bureaucracy

16%

Lack of choice in retail and services

11%

Lack of Health services

11% Table 12: Challenges to Innovation

Various issues around transport and access were listed as a key challenge for the region including inadequacies of the public bus route (“the 683”) to adequately service the Upper Yarra. Other issues noted around the Visitor Economy were challenges with large numbers of cars and people coming in and out of the region, particularly Warburton at peak times (and during the bushfire season) and concerns around road closures. Many of the perceived parking/overcrowding issues are being addressed under the Warburton Urban Design Framework. A Place Plan is currently under development for Yarra Junction which will give an opportunity for the community to influence future projects and developments. Risks from severe weather events and bushfires as well as the perceived poor infrastructure were listed as compounding challenges. Storm events often bring 32

down electrical infrastructure and the Yarra River Flats around Yarra Junction can often experience flooding. In the wake of the June 2021 and October 2021 storm events, Warburton was included in a DEECA study that was supported by AusNet and YRC to suggest ways that energy resilience in the town could be improved. As part of this work a solar and battery installation is being implemented at the Warburton Bowling Club, and the report suggested segments of the main township could accommodate a microgrid with additional solar, battery storage and generator assets. A lack of affordable housing was also listed as a key issue, both in terms of housing affordability and availability, and in terms of suitable accommodation for seasonal workers. Seasonal workers are required at peak times in the agriculture and tourism sectors, and seasonal firefighters are required, when “on-call”, to be within 30 minutes from the DEECA operational base (currently Powelltown). There are several prominent abandoned places in the Upper Yarra both privately owned (e.g., the Sanitarium Weetbix Factory, the Warburton Hospital) and several publicly owned places. In addition, a few other public assets are perceived as “underused” (e.g., Yarra Ranges Council Depot in Yarra Junction). Some of the public abandoned places include: •

O’Shannassy Lodge, East Warburton (Parks Vic)

•

Mess Hall, Upper Yarra Reservoir (Parks Vic)

•

Row of buildings along Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction (Dept of Health)

•

Former Forests Commission building at “Boys Camp” in Powelltown (DEECA)

•

Yellingbo Primary School (Dept of Education)

While Community was listed as a strength, some interviewees also mentioned that the community was divided on certain issues and this presents itself as a challenge for development. For example, there are wide ranging views on native forest logging but by and large opposing views in the community are accepted and respected. One interviewee who was pro-conservation mentioned that during previous debates on logging he became close friends with the owner of one the major saw mills. If done well, engagement with the community will enable acceptable pathways and better outcomes for Innovation Opportunities.

IDENTIFIED INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES The data from the desktop analysis, in conjunction with the community interview data, identified the following proposed Innovation Opportunities, which are recommended for further investigation. These Innovation Opportunities are “suggested” ones at this stage and are subject to change as the LDS project proceeds as we engage more widely and deeply. The proposed Innovation Opportunities were also cross-referenced with other public policy documents to ensure strategic alignment (see Table 13). The 6 proposed Innovation Opportunities are: Nature Based Tourism – The “Walking Economy” Multi-day walking routes with accommodation options along the Yarra Valley and in the surrounding mountains and forests, that take in the natural beauty of the region. Artisan Agriculture and Food Production Artisan food and drink production that supports producers and provides healthy and locally branded food and drink. Embraces the circular economy. Energy Resilience and Renewable Energy Using renewable energy to power community buildings, new enterprises, and transport infrastructure. Repurposing Abandoned and Under Used Buildings Re-purposing ageing public buildings and spaces that currently are not being used or can be shared with existing uses. Ecological Maintenance and Enhancement Using existing facilities and create a Social Enterprise to provide meaningful work opportunities to protect and enhance the Upper Yarra Catchment. Improving Transport and Access Enabling easier movement of people within the Upper Yarra region using an electrified and flexible bus system, powered by renewable energy.

During the course of the research for this Regional Context Analysis, there were other ideas suggested that might be worthy of further investigation. These include: •

Processing salvaged timbers into high value veneers and furniture

•

Establishing a centrally located medical centre with emergency triage capability

•

Improved processes and facilities for harvesting and processing feral deer

•

Establishing a regional or community owned abattoir for processing livestock

•

Intensive agriculture using glass/hot houses, and the use of “agri-voltaics”

•

Expanding on other adventure tourism type opportunities e.g. “gravelling”, downhill go-karting, zip-line etc

•

Use of bioenergy including the production of biochar from agricultural and other biomass waste

•

Expanding on existing or creating new museums to honor the steam and timber industries

The final Innovation Opportunities will be reviewed in the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process workshops where the opportunities will be examined, and initial viability assessed based on evidence before progressing to Innovation Working Groups. The following section discusses the 6 Innovation Opportunities, that are proposed for the Entrepeneurial Discovery Process.

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: Nature-Based Tourism – “The Walking Economy” Basic Proposition: 95% of interviewees identified the “Natural Environment” (or Beauty) as a key asset of the region, and people are attracted to the region because of this. This gives rise to the proposition that there are opportunities for greater appreciation of the Upper Yarra region that could be incorporated into a “Walking Economy”. This would encapsulate multi-day walks with appropriate accommodation enroute and be tailored to people of different abilities. The development, design and engagement would include Traditional Owners (Wurundjeri) as potential partners in this initiative and could incorporate indigenous guides and include cultural experiences. There are several examples of what could be developed within a “Walking Economy” and include: •

“Warburton to Walhalla” across what is currently the Yarra State Forest and connecting to the Alpine National Park Walking Track. The guided walk would include new sleeping and toilet facilities enroute which would be serviced by local providers.

•

“The Yarra Valley Camino” that would follow the course of the Yarra River to the Upper Yarra Reservoir. This walk would utilise the existing and expanded Yarra Valley Trail, The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, The O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail and future trails following pipeline easements. The walk will incorporate accommodation options and cultural and culinary experiences. The experience would be based around the famous El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.

Key Assets: Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra State Forest, the rural landscape with existing tracks and trails are key assets for multi-day walks with the future ability to have overnight facilities strategically placed along the route. Strategic Advantages: The multi-day hikes would traverse some beautiful scenery and be on par with other internationally famed walks such as the Overland Track in Tasmania or El Camino de 36

Santiago in northern Spain. The proposals are likely to have strong community support, realise broad community benefits and add to the economy. The expansion of the trail network for these walks would build on Yarra Ranges’ Ridges and Trails Strategy and potentially build on new infrastructure being planned for the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination proposal. Key Challenges: While residents in the Upper Yarra Valley are more concerned about the impact of tourism, particularly overcrowding, lower-impact and multi-day hikes are likely to gain broad community support. Workshop Design Principles: The EDP would explore in more detail the premise that multi-day walks would be economically viable in terms of generating jobs in the region. Conservation considerations and Traditional Owner participation will be key principles for the workshop.

Photo: O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail 37

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: ARTISAN AGRICULTURE & FOOD PRODUCTION Basic Proposition: Artisan agriculture encompasses the production of high value produce or premium food on a small scale or by specialised techniques and with a clearly identified provenance. While agriculture features strongly in the Yarra Valley, the small size of farms in the Upper Yarra can lend itself to more niche production. For agriculture to continue to be a strong economic driver, an emphasis on more niche or Artisan Agriculture is proposed that can command higher financial returns. Key aspects of the proposition include: •

Marketing the region’s food as “clean and green”.

•

Provide a Centre of Excellence to share resources and act as a knowledge sharing hub.

•

A means to enable and encourage young farmers to take on niche agrienterprises.

•

Enabling value add opportunities to increase income levels for producers.

•

Enable opportunities for locally made soil improvers to increase productivity and embrace principles of the Circular Economy.

Aspects of the circular economy could include the production and use of soil improvers using biochar made at from the Yarra Ranges Biochar Facility, digestate from the Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy Facility, Grape Marc from wineries, spent botanicals and grains from local distilleries and breweries. Key Assets: The rural character, productive soils, proximity to Melbourne and good climate are important contributors to growing and producing food. A high community interest in food and in particular clean food production makes the region a good base for Artisan Agriculture and Food Production. The Yarra Valley (including the Upper Yarra) is an important wine growing region and there is an interesting opportunity emerging of value adding to the processing of grape marc.

There are several groups and businesses with expertise in growing and manufacturing artisan food and include groups such as Permaculture Yarra Valley and Yarra Valley ECOSS and a number of small producers in the region (e.g. Little Yarra Dairy, Silvertine Farm). The Biodynamic Research Institute is head quartered in Powelltown producing their BD500 organic formula and there is strong interest in organic and biodynamic food. In recent years a “food hub” in Wesburn comprising an artisan baker, a fromagerie (who also make cheese), a patisserie and a bulk organic foods store has proved extremely popular with locals and visitors. One local government officer commented “success can breed success in attracting other like-minded businesses”. Photo: Little Yarra Dairy, Yarra Junction Key Challenges: The closeness of Melbourne has a direct effect on the high price of land in the Upper Yarra. As the ownership of agricultural land changes, the purchase of land for food production by younger people presents a difficult challenge unless landowners are prepared to enter into long term agreements. Green Wedge Zoning while beneficial to maintaining the rural character of the region also poses restrictions for expanded land uses. While climate change may affect the availability of water to grow crops and farm animals in other regions, rainfall in the Upper Yarra is relatively consistent (and high) and would therefore have a natural advantage over other areas. Workshop Design Principles: The EDP workshop would explore the demand for artisan agriculture products and any further growth capacity. The EDP would also investigate barriers to expansion and look at innovative ways to encourage the production of clean and value add produce in the Upper Yarra.

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: Renewable Energy and Energy Resilience Basic Proposition: The abundance of natural resources in the region and potential suitable land available close to townships provides an environment for renewable energy generation. This coupled with new “islandable” technology such as microgrids and battery storage would provide resilience measures for these communities. The Warburton Community Hydro Project that was completed in 2018 demonstrated that fast flowing creeks and rivers such as Ythan Creek, could be used to generate power and send it into the grid. There are at least two other creeks or rivers identified that may be suitable for similar projects and provide energy resilience. Access to solar and the availability of unused land also contribute to the viability of solar photovoltaic electricity generation. The former Wesburn landfill site has been identified as a key asset to host a small-scale solar farm. Key Assets: Two fast flowing creeks have been proposed by the community for mini-hydro: •

Dee River in Millgrove which would collect water close to the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Track car park and pipe it downstream to a suitable generator possibly in the grounds of the Melbourne High School Outdoor Education Centre in Dee Rd.

•

Learmonth Creek in Powelltown could collect water at or just below the current town water supply and pipe it downstream to a generator close to the new community pavilion being built on the recreation reserve.

The Wesburn closed landfill site is suitable for a small-scale solar farm that could provide power to the neighbouring Wesburn Park which is used as an emergency staging area and is also home to the Upper Yarra SES. Wesburn Park is also a nominated trail head for the proposed Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project, and as such the solar farm could provide power for electric vehicle charging facilities and several community buildings.

The Upper Yarra Community Power group have local expertise in building and operating a mini-hydro, and there is both Council and other local organisations with experience with solar, battery and electric vehicle charging installations. Key Challenges: A robust business case needs to accompany any technical feasibility. With high capital costs, government grants and incentives will likely be an important funding component as well as the ability to maximize revenue. Workshop Design Principles: The workshop would need to assess the value in the 2 mini hydro and the solar farm proposals. In terms of employment, while jobs are created during construction, the maintenance of these renewable energy projects require little in terms of employment. However, the true value may be in terms of resilience and potentially providing a cheaper power source (e.g. for additional electric bus services) that in turn will aid employment.

Photo: Dee River Crossing Ford 41

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: Repurposing “Abandoned Places” and Under-Used Buildings Basic Proposition: There are many buildings and places in the Upper Yarra that have been left vacant, or are under-used, and could be re-purposed to create and support employment in the region. Many of these places and buildings are in public ownership and could be re-purposed into community assets employing local people. Depending on the asset and business needs, these buildings and spaces could be repurposed as visitor/employee accommodation, workshop spaces, artists’ studios, business style hubs, landscaping yards etc. The Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre in Warburton (a former Board of Works depot) provides an outstanding example of how abandoned places can be repurposed. Key Assets: Some of the Abandoned and Under-used Places in the Upper Yarra are listed in “The Challenges” section of this report. With the willingness of public authorities who manage these assets and by harnessing the strength of the community, some of these places can be transformed into places offering employment. Key Challenges: There are likely reasons why places become abandoned or under-used. While some of these reasons may be simple to overcome, there may be other reasons such as high costs to bring the buildings up to modern-day standards. Other challenges might also include regulatory aspects such as planning controls (e.g., Bushfire Management Overlays). Workshop Design Principles: The workshop would assess the merits of redeveloping abandoned or under-used buildings and spaces with a view of transforming these to productive areas employing local people. The workshop will draw on the experiences of other sites where buildings and spaces have been transformed and created local employment opportunities.

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: Ecological Maintenance & Enhancement Basic Proposition: Much of the Upper Yarra is environmentally significant, and conservation reserves include the Yarra Ranges National Park and Immediate Protection Areas in the Yarra State Forest. The region plays a significant role in protecting the health of the Yarra River and several significant species of flora and fauna. The proposition involves how best to expand and upskill both volunteers and businesses involved in ecological restoration and maintenance works including landscaping, and how best to protect catchment areas. Specifically, the EDP will examine the prospect of establishing a social enterprise to enable young people to obtain skills and experience on using earth moving machinery and landscaping/revegetation techniques. The social enterprise could be based at an under-used asset. Key Assets: Government bodies include Melbourne Water, DEECA, Parks Victoria, Yarra Ranges Council and along with community groups such as local committees of management and Landcare groups, play roles in protecting and enhancing the Yarra Catchment. There is additional expertise in the region for ecological maintenance and enhancement work and the propagation and growing of indigenous plants from both private and community-led organisations. Additional assets may include some of the abandoned or under-used sites that could be repurposed as a works depot or could be used as nurseries. Key Challenges: Funding for new or expanded enterprises will largely depend on funding from various government bodies, and the ability for any new enterprises to access independent income streams. With respect to training, the proposal would likely need to include the involvement of a Registered Training Organisation and businesses willing to support a social enterprise model. Workshop Design Principles: The workshop would need to test the premise that an ongoing business case could be made to protect and enhance the environment over and above existing governmental programs. The workshop will map existing ecological maintenance activities, responsible parties, and the regulatory environment framework. 43

INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY: Improving Transport and Access Basic Proposition: The research tells us that transport is both a challenge and an opportunity. There are several issues relating to the ability of the community and visitors to travel to, around and out of the region. A local and electrified bus service with less impact on infrastructure and more accessibility is proposed. The introduction of a fleet of smaller and flexible buses similar to the electric buses operating in Seymour but powered by local renewable energy generation would enable improved mobility within the region and from areas not serviced by the rigid 683 route. The proposal would see a more flexible and localized service than the current PTV funded service operated by Martyrs that would transport people within the Upper Yarra region. The service would be for both residents and visitors taking people across the region to the main service centres (e.g., Yarra Junction) and key visitor sites (e.g., Redwood Forest, Trail Heads etc.). These local buses would also connect with major stops on the Warburton Highway so passengers can re-connect with the main 683 bus route. Monash University has created a trial with electric buses running between its Clayton Campus and Huntingdale Railway Station. There are likely learnings from this trial (which is ongoing) via Monash’s “Living Labs” platform. The introduction of electric buses supports the Victorian Government’s plan for all new buses added to Victoria’s public transport routes to be zero emission vehicles, as the state transitions around 4500 diesel buses in the public fleet. Key Assets: Locally produced renewable energy generation could provide the means to charge electric buses. The buses would be charged when not operating by local hydro generation and/or from the proposed solar farm (with battery storage). The proposed new bus service will enable easy movement of people to and from key features in the region (e.g. Redwood Forest, Trail Heads, Town Centres, main bus stops).

Key Challenges: While this proposal is linked somewhat with renewable energy generation, it will not resolve all challenges the region has with transport related issues. It will however enable residents to move around more freely particularly those with mobility issues and reduce some of the congestion impacts associated with the Visitor Economy. Workshop Design Principles: The workshop will assess the need for better transport options within the region, where the greatest benefits will be and how jobs could be created. The workshop will pull in examples where certain aspects of a future transport solution existing or is being trialed. This includes the following: •

FlexiRide bus service which is an on-demand bus service currently being trialed in outer Urban areas and small towns including Woodend.

•

Seymour bus service which has all the town’s five routes serviced by electric buses

•

Monash electric bus trial running between its Clayton Campus and Huntingdale Railway Station

•

Warby Nightrider operated by Warburton Adventure Company offering transfers and shuttles in and around Warburton

REFERENCES Foray, D, Goddard, J, Goenaga Beldarrain, X, Landabaso, M, McCann, P, Morgan, K, Nauwelaers, C & Ortega-Argiles, R 2012, Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies

for Smart Specialisations (RIS 3), European Commission. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2021 Census All persons QuickStats. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2021 Census Community Profile. Australian Bureau of Statistics. ABS Maps. ID Consulting. Yarra Ranges Council Social Atlas. ID Consulting. Yarra Ranges Council Community Profile. Various sources and tables. Social statistics for Victorian communities. REMPLAN 2023. Yarra Ranges Council. Economic Development Strategy 2023-2023. Yarra Ranges Tourism. Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Local Area Plan – UPPER

YARRA VALLEY – August 2023. Yarra Ranges Tourism. Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Destination Management

Plan KEY FINDINGS PAPER – March 2023.

APPENDICES INNOVATION

ORGANISATION

PLANS & STRATEGIES

OPPORTUNITY #

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND/OR ACTION

ALL

Yarra Ranges Council

Council Plan 2021-2025

#3: Repurposing

Yarra Ranges Council

Council Plan 2021-2025

Connected & Healthy Communities

“Abandoned Places” and underutilized buildings

Quality Infrastructure and Liveable Places

#5: Renewable Energy and

Energy Resilience #2: Artisan Agriculture

Yarra Ranges Council

Council Plan 2021-2025

#1: Nature-Based Tourism –

Yarra Ranges Council

Council Plan 2021-2025

Protected & Enhanced Natural Environment

multi-day hikes

Vibrant Economy, Agriculture & Tourism

#2: Artisan Agriculture ALL

Yarra Ranges Council

Economic Development

2.6 In partnership with the

Strategy 2022-2032

Victorian Government, support the communities of Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton to transition away from native timber harvesting on Crown Land.

#3: Repurposing

Yarra Ranges Council

“Abandoned Places” and underutilized buildings #3: Repurposing

3.2 Audit and collate a dynamic

Strategy 2022-2032

list of potential sites for regenerative development.

Yarra Ranges Council

“Abandoned Places” and underutilized buildings #3: Repurposing

Economic Development

4.2 Develop an integrated model

Strategy 2022-2032

of innovation hubs, precincts, and coworking spaces.

Yarra Ranges Council

“Abandoned Places” and underutilized buildings

Economic Development

4.3 Establish Centres of

Strategy 2022-2032

Excellence to showcase local industry, innovation, and entrepreneurship globally

#5: Renewable Energy and

Yarra Ranges Council

Energy Resilience #4: Ecological Maintenance &

Yarra Ranges Council

Enhancement

Liveable Climate Plan 2020-

Priority theme – Renewable

2030

Energy

Yarra Ranges Nature Plan

Vision - Habitats and all

2022-2032 (DRAFT)

biodiversity assets are holistically understood to enhance the resilience of native flora and fauna populations, enabling our ecosystems from land and water to flourish

#4: Ecological Maintenance &

Enhancement

Yarra Ranges Council

Yarra Ranges Nature Plan

Vision - Deeply engage with our

2022-2032 (DRAFT)

townships and rural communities to build ecosystem resilience for a climate ready future

#4: Ecological Maintenance &

Yarra Ranges Council

Enhancement

Yarra Ranges Nature Plan

Traditional owners are

2022-2032 (DRAFT)

empowered to engage in cultural land management practices on

#1: Nature-Based Tourism –

Country within Yarra Ranges

multi-day hikes #2: Artisan Agriculture

Yarra Ranges Council

Health & Wellbeing Plan

Priority 3: Increase healthy eating

2021-2025 #1: Nature-Based Tourism –

Yarra Ranges Council

multi-day hikes #1: Nature-Based Tourism –

Health & Wellbeing Plan

Priority 4: Increase active living

2021-2025 Yarra Ranges Council

Yarra Valley Trail Plan

Yarra Ranges Council

Recreation and Open Space

multi-day hikes #1: Nature-Based Tourism –

Yarra Ranges Council

multi-day hikes #4: Ecological Maintenance &

Function: Trails

Strategy 2013-2023 Destination Management Plan (DRAFT) Melbourne Water

Enhancement

Yarra Strategic Plan

Performance Objective 1: A

(Burndap Birrarung Burndap

healthy river and lands

Umarkoo) 2022-2032

Performance Objective 3: Quality parklands for a growing population Performance Objective 4: Protecting the natural beauty of the Yarra River corridor

#6 Improving Transport

Yarra Ranges Council

and access

Connected: Integrated Transport Strategy 2020-

Actions: •

2040

Advocate to the Department of Transport for an urgent Bus Review.

•

Work with the Department of Transport, local community groups, and private transport operators to investigate options to expand transport services across Yarra Ranges, improving access and mobility options for everyone.

#1: Nature-Based Tourism –

multi-day hikes

Yarra Ranges Tourism

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Local

Strategic Priorities: •

Area Plan 2023

Developing and leveraging new attractions and

#2: Artisan Agriculture

experiences •

Opportunities for new and emerging experiences and attractions

Table 13 – Innovation Opportunities Regional Strategic Alignment

Businesses and Business Groups:

Community Organisations:

Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre

Koha Community Café

Wine Yarra Valley

Redwood Centre (ADRA)

Yarra Valley Professionals (McMath Real Estate)

Upper Yarra River Reserves Committee of Management

Sanders Apples

Bens Shed – Yarra Junction

Hoddles Creek Estate

Millgrove Residents Action Group

Biodynamic Research Institute

Powelltown Residents Water Association

Katu Katu Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (Bendigo Bank)

Eastern Volunteers

Warburton Adventure Company

Warburton Advancement League

Alpine Retreat Hotel

Permaculture Yarra Valley

Warburton Holiday Park

Yarra Valley ECOSS

Dalcorp Accounting Services

Powelltown Football and Netball Club

Belgravia Leisure (Yarra Centre)

CIRE Services

Sheep Farmer (McMahons Creek) Upper Yarra Community Power

Redwood Centre (ADRA)

Upper Yarra Public Cemetery Trust Rayner’s Orchards Warburton Valley Community Economic Development Association

Education/Research Organisations:

Government Organisations:

CIRE Community School

Yarra Ranges Council

Upper Yarra Secondary College

Dept of Energy Environment and Climate Action

Little Yarra Steiner School

Melbourne Water

Wesburn Primary School

VicForests

Woori Yallock Primary School

State Emergency Service

Woori Yallock Farm School

North East Jobs

Monash University

Outer Eastern Local Learning & Employment Network

Macquarie University

Parks Victoria

Table 14: Organisations Interviewed

Internal Visitor Local Spend – Refers to expenditure from cardholders who are residents of one suburb or SA2 in the LGA who visit another suburb or SA2 in the LGA where they make a transaction. External Visitor Local Spend – Refers to expenditure from cardholders who are residents outside the LGA and visit a suburb or SA2 in the LGA where they make a transaction Resident Internal Escape Spend - Refers to expenditure from cardholders who are residents of one suburb or SA2 in the LGA who leave that suburb or SA2 in the LGA and make a transaction in another suburb or SA2 in the LGA Resident External Escape Spend – Refers to expenditure from cardholders who are residents of one suburb or SA2 in the LGA who then visit a suburb or SA2 outside the LGA where they make a transaction. Table 15 Spendmapp Definitions