Outcomes from Violet Town Community Plan 2007
The Violet Town community plan comprises the intentions of the community to develop the district in accordance with the wishes of the residents of the area. The Violet Town community plan desires to:
- Enhance the Violet Town community as a wonderful place for people to live
- Improve the co-operation between people and groups within the Violet Town community in order to better utilise resources within the community and those allocated to the community more effectively.
- Embrace diversity of opinion when developing community actions and initiatives.
- Promote the development of the initiatives into action through a process that recognises community and values contributions from all people and groups from within the community.
Following the second community opportunity workshop, held in February 2007, the Violet Town Action Group (VTAG) developed ten themes to cover the 77 different ideas and initiatives suggested at the session. Since then focus groups have developed these themes as part of the development for the community plan document.
The draft plan is now available for perusal but it must be noted that this draft plan is only an outline of the suggestions under the themes and will require more in-depth community consultation as the key actions under each theme are planned and implemented. The eight most supported suggestions and initiatives from the February 2007 workshop were as follows:
- Strategic Plan for the Town and District (included in theme 8 - Planning and Development)
- Water conservation and recycling (included in theme 7 - Water)
- Increased Market options (included in theme 3 - Marketing)
- Doctor in the town (included in theme 5 - Local Services)
- Piped Natural Gas supply (included in theme 4 - Infrastructure)
- Improve street and general signage (included in theme 6 - Major Roads)
- Increase Violet Town water supply / Honeysuckle dam (included in theme 7 - Water)
- Better looking landscaped main street (included in theme 5 - Local Services)
Any comments could be directed to: David Arnold on (03) 5798 1679
The ten themes and key actions suggested within the community plan are:
Key theme 1 - Arts & Recreation
Theme vision - To raise the awareness, increase the diversity and achieve broader participation in a range activities and facilities to support ongoing arts and recreation development in Violet Town.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Increase the range of art programs to include attraction of touring artists and supporting local artists.
- Improve facilities at the Violet Town Hall for arts and recreation activities.
- Improve the swimming pool facilities and structures and develop additional activities at the pool.
- Develop a master plan for future recreational needs of all sporting and recreational groups within the Violet Town district.
Key Theme 2 - Food & Energy
Theme vision - to develop local food and energy self reliance
Summary of Key Actions:
- Increase public awareness of food / energy issues and capacity of individuals to produce more local food and energy.
- Develop a local market.
- Develop a community garden.
- Identify opportunities for biofuel / diesel production.
- Undertake recycling / reuse on a wider scale.
- Establish alternative small local energy sources.
- Develop a no waste policy for Violet Town.
- Promote Violet Town as a green community.
- Undertake reuse for water and reduce water reliance.
Key Theme 3 - Marketing
Theme vision - Without compromising our local lifestyle to market, promote and develop Violet Town as a
- visitor destination
- place to live
- place to establish a business
Summary of Key Actions:
- To establish a "brand or image" for Violet Town
- Establish websites, media promotion, town signage for new residents, brochures etc.
- Develop packages / itineraries.
- Combining natural attractions, history, local activities and culture for visitors.
- Engage business and community in developing tourism by recognising its value.
- Develop partnerships with organisations / events within a one hour radius of Violet Town to capitalise on their attractions / activities.
Key theme 4 - Infrastructure
Theme vision - To continue to develop major infrastructure for Violet Town to improve the capacity of business and the liveability of residents.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Achieve reticulated natural gas.
- Improve business and residential infrastructure needs.
- Improve telecommunications (especially mobile and internet reception)
- Improve pedestrian safety by developing an integrated path and scooter strategy.
Key theme 5 - Local Services
Theme vision - To develop initiatives that maintain and expand business growth within Violet Town.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Implement the Violet Town Urban Design Framework recommendations.
- Support Violet Town Business Network to achieve their business plan.
- Identify business gaps in Violet Town (such as gaining a local doctor)
- Develop business programs to support business growth such as "buy locally"
Key theme 6 - Major Roads
Theme vision - Enhance roads infrastructure and road safety and amenity that will contribute to community growth.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Improve signage.
- Improve road works that increase safety.
- Improve pedestrian and cycle safety
- Review speed limits
Key theme 7 - Water
Theme vision - Provide a secure and reliable water supply for the township of Violet Town, and assist out of town landholders to secure their own water supply.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Consider and implement a range of measures to improve water efficiency.
- Utilise town storm water runoff.
- Support homes and businesses to achieve water efficiencies.
- Develop water conservation and related measures.
Key theme 8 - Planning & Development
Theme vision - To identify a process and to enable the Violet Town community to contribute to its own planning and development in order fir the Violet Town community to determine its future.
Summary of Key Actions:
- Develop a process that allows the Violet Town community input into any planning that effects the Violet Town District.
- Promote to government agencies the desire for community input into planning.
- Consider planning issues that the community may initiate in determining its future.
Key theme 9 - Youth & Community
Theme vision - To improve youth and young person opportunities in Violet Town and District
Summary of Key Actions:
- Identify the specific circumstance of the young people in the district.
- Ascertain employment and training opportunities for young people.
- Identify how young people wish to contribute and participate in community affairs.
- Support relevant programs for young people such as mentoring or recruitment programs.
- Strengthen relationships between young people and young people support networks
Key theme 10 - Violet Town Cap Reconciliation
Theme vision - To increase the understanding of issues and to connect with local indigenous people within the Violet Town community.
Summary of Key Actions:
- To develop a process for understanding indigenous affairs
- Develop processes to achieve inclusiveness of all indigenous people to the community.
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858