HomepageLCSDP Objectives and Activities
6. To develop sustainable natural resources, tourism and education employment clusters for the far southwest Victorian community.
Achievements
The LCSDP seeks to provide new employment and enterprise opportunities for the southwest Victoria
community. The focus on sustainable development offers the opportunity to develop employment in many areas including education, natural resources management, primary industries and tourism.
The enhanced relationships through the LCSDP have increased Indigenous employment in the district.
The LCSDP has achieved an increased the awareness of Indigenous employment issues throughout mainstream industries.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that young people from the far southwest who are currently studying and working elsewhere plan to return. This is attributable to a strong sense of expectation generated by the vision and achievements of the LCSDP.
LCSDP partners are investigating Indigenous employment opportunities within their own organisations and industries operating the far southwest and are setting their own targets of create employment.
Current Activities
The Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape Sustainable Tourism Plan was completed in 2007. The plan outlines the required resources, infrastructure and industry development to achieve the plan’s identified potential of the Budj Bim landscape attracting 190,000 annual visitors to the far southwest of Victoria by 2015.
Visitor infrastructure has been installed at the Tyrendarra and Kurtonitj properties with the assistance of the Victorian Government’s Aboriginal Land and Economic Development Program.
Further promotion of the Budj Bim landscape through tourism industry and national heritage marketing campaigns will continue to increase visitors with financial benefits flowing onto the regional tourism industry.
The hardwood plantation industry in the far southwest has grown dramatically over the past 10 years. The LCSDP is working with Winda Mara, Gunditj Mirring and the timber industry to ensure that local communities benefit from the growth in economic development and local business.
The planned Lake Condah Sustainable Development Learning Centre will contribute to employment and business opportunities for the district. Attracting ongoing research and development resources to the far southwest will provide VET and tertiary learning opportunities.