four new projects underway

You'll soon be hearing more about four new projects which are being developed by RCV in conjunction with you, for you.There will be opportunities to provide your input and we look forward to your contributions. Here's what's happening so far.

Project 3.6 - Rural Retail Economics Program
This project, led by Socom with Essential Economics will investigate current trends and drivers of retailing patterns in rural communities, and the impacts on local economies and jobs.
This project will deliver:

• a report on the economic impact /contribution of strip shopping centres in rural areas.
• a report detailing the outcomes of the review/research and good practice examples/case studies.
• recommendations for further programs or professional development.
• a guide for rural council economic development managers to assist in advising and supporting small retailers in their municipalities.
• if successful with an application to the Streetlife grant program, the project will deliver a product to support small retailers within rural council areas to increase productivity through better use of technology.
• an online collaborative tool to share program information. 

• a toolkit that will enable Victoria’s 38 rural councils to easily and confidently identify effective approaches to attracting and retaining residents.
• a framework that assists rural councils to conduct town-specific assessments to determine their priority population needs.
• a directory of case studies of successful rural population retention and attraction interventions. 

This project is being led by RCV/ RDV with Geografia.

Project 5.4 - Intelligent Communities Supporting Creative Industries

It is difficult to source economic data about the creative industries in Victoria, as there is no agreed government definition. Therefore, initial research will determine the current level of economic activity in relation to creative industries within Victorian rural areas. This project will deliver:

• a research report regarding the current impact of creative industries in Victorian rural areas.
• an economic data set showing the potential impacts of growth in the creative industries in rural areas using the roll out of high speed broadband as an enabler.
• an opportunities paper highlighting strategies, case studies and relevant programs to assist rural councils to develop attraction programs for knowledge workers. 

This project is being led by Socom/ RCV with Essential Economics.

• A toolkit detailing good practice principles and processes, and presenting resources and templates to support collaborative fleet management by rural councils.
• A final report that documents the activities and outcomes of the project, including processes, system and practice improvements, impacts on relationships and recommendations on other initiatives to deliver efficiencies  and cost savings for councils.
• ​Dissemination of the toolkit and final report to the 38 rural councils and other stakeholders through appropriate forums, including a workshop/presentation.