Harcourt Community Action Plan

1. Communication Strategy a) Promote what is happening in Harcourt to residents Actions Create, maintain and manage a Harcourt Progress Association newsletter and blog Regularly submit photos and articles to the Castlemaine Mail and Express Develop a support your local businesses/ services campaign Develop a tourism map of Harcourt showing local attractions Develop a promotional strategy to attract visitors to Harcourt Promote the town as being family friendly Who will lead Kelly Timing Regularly Priority High Comments Community to feed information to Kelly for the blog. Contact people from various organisations to put information on the blog.

b) Promote and support local businesses c) Attract visitors to town

Donna/ Kelly Max

Ongoing 3-6 months

Medium High Work with Neil Robins and Neil Charter from Heritage centre To update brochure Follow up with Stephen Hiley regarding services map.

d) Local Councillor to be available to talk with Harcourt residents 2. Arts, Crafts, Culture, Events Strategy a) Support and sustain existing community events and activities

Have a listening post at the local shop regularly Local councillor to attend Harcourt Progress Group meetings

Craig

Once every three months

Medium

Actions Assist with the promotion, development and running of the Applefest

Who will lead Donna/David

Timing 6-12 months

Priority Medium

b) Promote new community events and activities 3. Sustainability and Skills Strategy a) Improving and protecting local landscapes

Develop and promote a Food and Wine Trail for the Harcourt district Actions Explore the feasibility of community management of the Oak Forest Improvement of the area along the creek to create a walk way Promote protection of the environment on Mount Alexander and in the surrounding area, also the development of walking trails Create a pool of volunteers from the community

Kelly

Comments Look at other festivals, possibility to broaden it to include food and wine Suggest some new ideas to Applefest committee Open Air cinema in conjunction with Applefest meetings Possible combined brainstorming session Follow up with Katie Finlay regarding information on current food and wine trail Comments Oak forest could be useful for community events Can Heritage Victoria help? Walking track liaise with council

Who will lead David/ Max

Timing 12-18 months

Priority Medium

b) Attract, recognise and retain volunteers to support community initiatives 4. Facilities and Services Strategy a) Increase access to sustainable transport options b) Identify and support activities for young people c) Identify and create an appropriate commercial zone d) Primary school as a community venue

Actions Lobby to open the station Lobby to increase the bus service to and from Harcourt Set up a group to facilitate support for young people, particularly those at risk and explore opportunities to create activities and venues within Harcourt for their use.

Who will lead Annette

Timing Longer term goal Mid term goal

Priority High

Comments

Jack

Longer term goal Use the primary school facilities and resources as a venue for community and educational activities in Harcourt Short term

e) Mens Shed f) Recreational facilities

Establish group, generate interest, apply for funding Improve the facilities in central Harcourt eg barbecue, lighting, toilets Provide a fenced playground Make Harcourt a destination for cyclists and cycling events Ensure the long term viability of the Harcourt Pool Work with local organisations to lobby council to get this done. Also consider the use of volunteer labour to assist with the work Investigate the possibility of applying for a regional arts grant to construct this. Apply if appropriate. Work with local organisations to lobby council to get this done. Also consider the use of volunteer labour to assist with the work Approach council to assist with the purchase of an existing building in Harcourt

Peter Church Donna for Playground

Short to Mid term goal Short to mid term

g) Create a permanent performance space in James Park h) Improve the drainage in James park i) Create a multi purpose community hub in central Harcourt 5. Beautification Strategy a) Promote walking tracks and trails b) Town Centre c) Visual Statement

Peter Trownson Ben

Short to mid

short High

Actions Create a resource which provides information on the tracks and trails in the Harcourt area Explore and develop ways to create a town centre Create a visual statement along the Freeway and in the town centre to draw people into Harcourt Trees, landscape, welcome to Harcourt street presence etc

Who will lead Max Murphy Trish

Timing Short to mid Mid term TBC

Priority

Comments

Streetscape need to lobby and survey the community for a more suitable landscape