The Future of Benalla & District Project is a community-led initiative designed to guide the region through economic transition and into a more resilient, innovative future.

Supported by the Victorian Government’s Forestry Transition Program, the project brings together local voices, data, and strategic thinking to identify opportunities for long-term growth.

Two key documents—the Regional Context Analysis and the Local Development Strategy—capture the district’s strengths, challenges, and emerging industries, laying the groundwork for collaborative action and investment.

Together, they form a blueprint for building a stronger, more sustainable Benalla and district and are used a base for a range of projects and training initiatives.

Regional Context Analysis

 

The Regional Context Analysis outlines Benalla’s transition from a timber-reliant economy to a more diverse and innovative future. Using the Smart Specialisation Strategy, it identifies local strengths—like manufacturing, arts and culture, and natural assets such as the Winton Wetlands—and highlights six key innovation opportunities. These include developing eucalypt-based health products, expanding farm forestry, and enhancing the Benalla Migrant Camp’s tourism potential. The report is grounded in data and over 80 stakeholder interviews, aiming to build a collaborative, place-based innovation ecosystem that supports long-term regional resilience and growth.

Click Here

Local Development Strategy

 

The Future of Benalla and District Local Development Strategy outlines a community-driven roadmap to support Benalla’s transition from native timber reliance to a more diverse and sustainable economy. Building on the earlier Regional Context Analysis, the strategy identifies key local assets—such as arts and culture, manufacturing, and natural resources—and proposes initiatives like a Creative Collaboration Hub and a Future Economy and Employment Precinct. Through extensive community engagement and the Smart Specialisation Strategy, the plan aims to foster innovation, strengthen collaboration across sectors, and position Benalla for long-term economic resilience and growth.

Click Here

Future Economy Employment Precinct (FEEP)

 

The Future Economy Employment Precinct (FEEP) project is investigating opportunities to create a dedicated employment and innovation precinct that supports Benalla’s long-term economic growth. The project focuses on attracting investment, creating local jobs, supporting business expansion and strengthening industry sectors aligned with Benalla’s future economy. Through strategic planning, infrastructure investigation and stakeholder engagement, the precinct aims to position Benalla as a competitive regional centre for advanced manufacturing, logistics, innovation and emerging industries while supporting workforce development and regional prosperity.

 

 

Click Here

Benalla Migrant Camp Feasibility Study

 

The Benalla Migrant Camp Feasibility Study explores how one of Australia’s longest-running post-war migrant centres can be transformed into a sustainable heritage, tourism and community destination. Building on the site’s State Heritage listing, Conservation Management Plan and recent restoration works, the study investigates future governance models, visitor experiences, event opportunities and staged site activation. It identifies a pathway to preserve an important chapter of Australia’s migration history while creating new opportunities for cultural tourism, community engagement, education and regional economic development.

 

 

Click Here

Supported by: 

Contact us