Upper Yarra Local Development Project

The Victorian Government is providing support for the transition away from native forest harvesting. Though the Victorian Forestry Plan, Council has received funding for the Upper Yarra Valley communities, with focus on Warburton, Yarra Junction and Powelltown to support a Local Development Strategy.

The Local Development Strategy is designed to support workers, businesses, and the community with this transition. Through the project, over the next two years there are opportunities to discover and explore innovation opportunities that will bring economic and social benefits for a sustainable future.

Smart Specialisation

The project uses the Smart Specialisation methodology. It is an approach that promotes innovation and economic transformation and sustainability by focussing on a region’s existing strengths and unique, local opportunities.

Representation from the community, business, education, and government ensures that all the sectors are included for transformative solutions to be identified.

A short video helps explain the methodology.

Project Stages

The project is broken down into four stages.

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Stage 1A: Regional Context Analysis - Development

    February to September 2023

    • Desktop analysis and research
    • Community consultations undertaken from
    • Strengths, challenges and innovation opprtunitoes identifed
  • Timeline item 2 - active

    Stage 1B: Regional Context Analysis - Draft for review

    20 November to 17 December 2023

    • Draft open for feedback from
    • Expressions of interest open for EDP workshops
  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Stage 2: Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP)

    Commencing February 2024

    • EDP workshops to review, refine and asses viability of identified innovation opportunities


  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Stage 3: Innovation Working Groups

    September 2024

    • Innovation working groups test the innovation opportunities
    • Seek technical/specialist advice as required
    • Preparation and implementation of project scope


  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Stage 4: Local Development Strategy Complete

    March 2025

    • Local Development Strategy finalised
    • Ongoing governance established
    • Potential project funding identified


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