Led by Matthew Currie, who was born and educated locally, the Future of Benalla and District project is identifying the Rose City’s strengths and future opportunities.
Mr Currie has engaged with a record number of people from across the community, businesses, and education and training providers.
This included conducting one-on-one interviews to help understand Benalla’s strengths, assets and future aspirations.
“The beauty of a project like the Future of Benalla and District, is that it requires the local community to take ownership of its future,” Mr Currie said.
“Thank you to all our past participants who have come to talk to us and helped us identify what it is that makes Benalla a great place, and what its strengths are.
“The community of Benalla and district is very passionate. (It is) passionate about arts and tourism, our economic drivers, our accessibility, and our location.
“The community is very invested in our region and want to see it continue to flourish and prosper.
“We have had a record number of people fully engaged in contributing and sharing ideas on what a future Benalla looks like — a positive first step towards identifying our district’s strengths and future opportunities.”
Mr Currie said the first stage of community consultation was closing on July 14 and encouraged anyone who has a vision, voice or insights on helping shape Benalla’s future, to contact him on 0459 363 658.
“We just want people to talk, tell us their stories and ideas of what Benalla means to them and what they see as the future growth for Benalla,” he said.
“I’d really like to talk to those people that don’t often get the opportunity to have their say.”
Following the completion of the interviews, Mr Currie said a comprehensive report of all the data would be compiled and distributed to participants within the next couple of months.
“The opportunities that are identified will be investigated further, and the community will collectively then decide which ones are put forward to develop,” Mr Currie said.
The project is supported by the Benalla Rural City Council, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and RMIT University.
To find out more about the project visit www.futureofbenalla.com.au
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