Council backs Rushworth Place Based Plan

Following some months of consultation
and community engagement, the draft
Rushworth Place Based Plan was put to the
community for review in February 2024.

The draft plan had been developed by
the Rushworth Place Based Plan Committee
in collaboration with consulting firm
Communityvibe.

Place-based planning is an approach that
focuses on the characteristics, needs, and
assets of a particular community to guide
development decisions. One of the core
values of place based planning is community
involvement.

Mayor Rob Amos highlighted the
community’s input into the Rushworth Place
Based Plan, with over 550 residents actively
participating in the consultation process.

“It’s been incredibly satisfying to witness
the extensive community involvement
through public feedback sessions, surveys,
and drop-in sessions in Rushworth,” he said.

Councillor for Waranga Ward, Cr Adrian
Weston, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments,
noting that the high level of engagement
reflected a broad cross-section of the
community.

“The community has clearly expressed
their desires for a thriving local economy,
stronger community connections,
environmental sustainability, and the
preservation of Rushworth’s unique
character,” Cr Weston stated

The Rushworth Place Based Plan outlines
four key action items:

• To promote opportunities for our
  community to be healthy, active and
  creative
• To provide opportunities for our local
  residents to actively participate in the
  community and connect with one another
• To protect and enhance our natural assets
  and the places and spaces around us
• To grow the economy and increase
  prosperity in Rushworth

Co-Chairpersons of the Rushworth Place
Based Planning Committee, Sarah Pain and
Andrew Larkin, said they were happy to see
the plan endorsed and looked forward to
launching new projects.

“On behalf of the committee I’d like to
thank everyone who took time to provide
input into the Place Based Plan for the future
development of Rushworth,” said Mr Larkin.

Rushworth & District Action Plan 2024 - 2033

A corresponding document providing
more detail about implementation of the
Place Based Plan is available for reading on
Council’s website.

Actions listed under specific focus
headings are categorised according to their
expected timeline:

Quick win = 1-12 months; Short-term =
1-3 years Medium-term= 4-7 years Long-
term = 8-10 years Ongoing = continuous.

Under the heading of Governance, the
proposal is to establish a Development
Committee “made of interested local residents
to implement the Place Based Plan and to be a
voice for Rushworth”.

The plan details a diverse range of specific
projects corresponding with the Place Based
Plan’s action items, including advocating for
more health services, development of an arts
precinct, events for young people and road
safety improvements.

To read both the Place Based Plan and
the Action Plan visit www.campaspe.vic.
gov.au/Rushworthpbp