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WC310724_Digital_Edition.pdf

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EDUCATION IN FOCUS TERM 3

Pages 9-20

RALLYING TOGETHER MORE than 300 people of all ages gathered in Wangaratta's King George Gardens to march against family violence last Saturday. Pictured leading the march are (from left) Tess Burns, Shantelle van der Leeuw and Ollie van der Leeuw. Full story page 5. PHOTO: Kat de naps Photography

Lady Devils ramping up to finals

Sport

GROWTH PLAN Still time to comment on draft economic development p and tourism strategy gy

RESIDENTS and local businesses have until Friday to submit their thoughts on the Rural City of Wangaratta’s economic development and tourism strategy, as its consultation period draws to a close. Described as “more than just a vision…a collective commitment to shaping the bright future of our region”, the draft strategy was developed through a series of individual consultations, community workshops and an online survey designed to attract community and business feedback. It lists strengths, challenges and opportunities for the

BY SIMONE KERWIN skerwin@ nemedia.com.au

municipality through to 2029, and includes priority initiatives and an implementation plan for fostering sustainable economic growth. The priorities identified by the draft strategy are infrastructure and service enablers (including internet and telecommunications, sewage, roads, energy and recycling); a major tourism product development plan exploring initiatives which would increase visitor numbers;

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SOLIS BLUES SAMMY OWEN BLUES BAND RAMBAL BLUES ROULETTE presenting ‘THE COMMITMENTS SHOW”

development of ‘health and wellness tourism’ to expand the luxury travel sector; ‘township activation’ to build individual character and tourism appeal; and ageing community infrastructure to strengthen aged care services and support in Wangaratta. The implementation plan sets out objectives in five areas investment attraction and local business support; infrastructure and planning; skills and workforce, township activation, and another which has attracted strong feedback through the Wangaratta Chronicle letters page: tourism development.

Short-term goals in the implementation plan (scheduled to be undertaken within the next two years) include conducting a business health check survey and developing a comprehensive investment attraction framework targeting priority industries; encouraging housing developments that meet sustainability or affordability criteria and advocating for State Government funding for water infrastructure; conducting a regular skills gap assessment; and exploring the demand for extended hours from local businesses as part of township activation. On the tourism front, the draft

strategy proposes conducting detailed market research in the short-term to identify gaps and opportunities in agri-tourism, eco-tourism, food and wine tourism, arts and cultural tourism, historical tourism, sports tourism and high-value tourism. It also suggests increasing the number of large and small festivals to encourage yearround visitation and community engagement, and increasing and enhancing Wangaratta’s wayfinding to encourage stopover visitation and increase awareness of the region. ■ Continued page 2

SUN 3RD NOV 2024 DARYL ROBERTS CHARLIE BEDFORD FIONA BOYES TRIO BLUE SUNDAY

Tickets @ Trybooking.com

T H E P L O U G H I N N 2 3 2 2 B E E C H W O RT H -WA N G A R AT TA R O A D TA R R AW I N G E E 5719 2450


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