Great South Coast
The Great South Coast is a mix of rural and coastal landscapes. The recognised Traditional Owners of the region include the Gunditj Mirring, Eastern Maar, Wadawurrung and the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupgalk Nations. Heritage sites which hold economic, social, environmental, spiritual and cultural heritage value to Aboriginal communities including Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, Koroitj (Tower Hill) and Gariwerd (the Grampians).
Major drivers of the Great South Coast economy include agriculture, forestry and fishing, health care and social assistance, retail trade and education and training. The region’s extensive coastline is also major draw for local and international tourists.
Great South Coast hosts some of Victoria’s largest dairy, beef, lamb and wool producers and exceeds Victoria’s regional average share of skilled agriculture workers. The agri-food sector (agriculture, forestry and fishing and food product manufacturing) employs a quarter of the regional workforce and generates a third of the region’s economic output.
The Great South Coast Drought Resilience Plan was produced collaboratively by a wide range of local residents, groups and organisations. A Drought Resilience Reference Group was established to steer the Plan’s development and included key stakeholders with expertise in agriculture, regional development, water, governance, community and natural resource management.
Implementing activities in the Great South Coast
Food and Fibre Great South Coast is the Phase One Plan Coordinator for the Great South Coast region, receiving a $380,000 Implementation Grant to coordinate and deliver resilience building activities across the region.
In demonstration of cross-regional collaboration, the Great South Coast and Barwon Plan Coordinators came together to deliver activities across the neighbouring regions. Southern Farming Systems and Food and Fibre Great South Coast each delivered two activities across both regions.
Activities delivered across the Great South Coast region by Food and Fibre Great South Coast:
- Natural Resource Preparedness – increasing the management of natural resources (soil, water and biodiversity) by firstly reviewing and updating spatial information and then documenting best practices that can address issues such as overgrazing, water shortages and ecosystem degradation.
- Water Preparedness – promoting sustainable water management and use by reviewing and updating priorities for regional water infrastructure and other initiatives. The activity also promotes water conservation measures in agricultural settings through educational resources.
Activities being delivered across the Great South Coast region by Southern Farming Systems:
- Farmer Decision-Making – empowering farmers to make timely, informed decisions during drought by improving awareness of, and access to, decision-making tools, real-time data and expert advice. The activity included a “train-the-trainer” approach to reach more farmers.
- Mental Health Support – enhancing the capacity of local service providers and community leaders to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and other rural community members. The activity delivered agriculture sector focused mental health awareness-raising events across south-west Victoria, and upskilled community members so they can support farmers’ resilience prior to and during drought.
