Yesterday Mayor Cr Brian Klowss, CEO Gail Gatt and regional colleagues joined eight other councils from across the Wimmera Southern Mallee to meet with Dr Anne Webster MP.
Together, Mayors and CEOs presented the Resource Ready Strategy a regionally-led initiative to ensure our communities are prepared for the significant growth and change driven by mining, renewable energy and major infrastructure investment.
Cr Brian Klowss, alongside fellow mayors, outlined the importance of being proactive. The Resource Ready Strategy brings councils together across the wider Wimmera Southern Mallee region to plan for this transition, if these projects occur, so our region can attract investment, manage impacts and secure long-term economic and community benefits.
As a united region, we are clear on what's needed next.
Our three priorities:
✅ Local government resourcing – to strengthen council capacity to manage planning, compliance and community engagement as development accelerates
✅ Resource Ready studies – to deliver the critical analysis needed to unlock strategic projects and coordinate regional growth
✅ A Wimmera Southern Mallee Economic Transition Plan – to guide infrastructure, workforce, housing and investment decisions as our region evolves
The Wimmera Southern Mallee is ready to work constructively with government, but we need the right support to ensure our communities benefit from the opportunities ahead.
We need strategic investment from our state and federal governments.
Download and read our Advocacy Priorities(PDF, 6MB), setting out our key focus areas.
Photos courtesy of Dr Anne Webster MP.
