The Future of Orbost and District Project hosted a delegation of government representatives on Thursday 3^rd November in Orbost with Local, State and Federal government business assistance officers in town to meet with local business owners. Eight local businesses looking to invest, expand and innovate discussed their growth plans directly to the various government officers with a variety of businesses presenting on the day. 

Businesses as diverse as a proposal for a new tourism facility, glasshouse for vegetable production, steel frame manufacturing, security and safety technology, an industrial park development, furniture manufacturing, artisan food manufacturing and flood mitigation for the Snowy River flats were pitched on the day. The opportunity for businesses to engage directly with all three levels of Government was welcomed and to get referrals, feedback and advice regarding potential government support was the first of its kind in Orbost. 

A follow-up event for the community focused on financial opportunities for growth is in the early stages of planning with grants, philanthropy, loans and equity funding to be explored. Keep an eye on the Snowy River Mail for more details. 

In attendance on the day was Daryl Brook, Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions; Tim Cotter, Future of Orbost and District Project; Yaniesha Pillay, Federal Entrepreneurs’ Programme; Julie Wilson, AusIndustry, Dr Nicola Watts, Federal Entrepreneurs’ Programme; Jenny Bailey, East Gippsland Shire Council and Mali Bromley, East Gippsland Shire Council.

Also in attendance were Tim McAuliffe, Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions and Michelle Perry, Future of Orbost and District Project (not pictured).

Orbost district businesses demonstrate globally significant expertise in the breeding and production of seeds for maize, sweet corn and popcorn. In addition, other organisations have extensive expertise in forest seeds and other plants. This expertise could underpin a national seeds institute with global standing in seed breeding and production.

Marlo Hotel - invitations have been extended to project particpants. Contact tim.cotter@orbostregion.com.au for more information.

There are several examples of high value-add or specialist agricultural opportunities, including protected cropping, new products (samphire, insects, black garlic, edible botanicals, native grasses, seaweed), and a cooperative malting facility, that could prompt innovation. The third of these is already the subject of a Food and Fibre Gippsland (FFG) GS3 Innovation Group. Other relevant FFG activities might include vegetable waste processing, insect farming for protein, and seaweed harvesting. Some Orbost district stakeholders are involved in those activities already.

Native forests are an important environmental asset that will require careful management following the end of native timber logging. Promoting biodiversity, particularly supporting threatened species, has been a key part of the decision-making underpinning the Forestry Plan. Access into the forests will have to be constructed and maintained whether for ongoing care, use, visitor economy, or for disaster management. Work in Europe on a similar agenda could be very useful in prompting innovation opportunities in forest management, research and protection activities, and use of forest resources.

The coastal parks along Orbost’s nearby coastline are a stunning natural resource, accompanied by off-shore fishing, hunting, and diving resources that attract international visitors. Current regulations and management arrangements limit access to these assets, in order to protect their environmental conditions. They offer an opportunity for innovative thinking about how greater access to these places can be managed and supported creatively while protecting their environmental status.

The development of a ‘13+’ learning facility which provides for articulated education and training opportunities spanning Certificate 2-Bachelor programs relevant to emerging local enterprises. The facility would be supported by DET, TAFE Gippsland and Federation University, offering personal learning support for a mix of programs

Basic Proposition:

Destination Gippsland (DG) have extensive work underway on tracks and trails with Innovation Groups focused on technologies that could enhance the visitor experience, and

on setting up a social enterprise that could employ unemployed forest contractors and workers and disengaged young people in trail construction and forest management.

Key Assets:

The forests and coastal parks both offer remarkable opportunities for trail development. Already, the East Gippsland Rail Trail has become an important part of cycling holidays between Sydney and Melbourne, and this will be enhanced with the restoration of the Snowy River Rail Bridge. The Sea to Summit Trail is one major investment which already is being investigated as an option to add to the opportunities in the Orbost district.

Strategic Competitive Advantage:

The Orbost district will offer the Visitor Economy part of the GS3 project additional opportunities for developing a social enterprise that can build the expertise for trail design and construction, as well as the ongoing need for trail maintenance. The new mountain bike (MTB) facility at Omeo will attract other MTB riders to East Gippsland, and the scale of the forests offers extensive capacity for new MTB and walking trails to be developed.

Join us at the Orbost Club in person or online to wrap up a big year of innovation discovery in the Orbost district. Professor Bruce Wilson from RMIT and local project manager Tim Cotter will provide an update on the five innovation proposals for the region.

The focus areas for innovation are seeds, agriculture, forest management, tourism and education.

For those in the room on the night you will get the chance to trial a range of local products with our boutique showcase featuring a range of local products.

For more informationvisit www.orbostregion.com.au/future

THE ONLINE COMPONENT OF THE NIGHT WILL RUN FROM 5:30PM - 6:15PM.

Contact Tim Cotter on 0419 040 469 or email tim.cotter@orbostregion.com.au for more information.

Register for this event at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/future-of-orbost-and-district-conversation-quarterly-tickets-187334782377

Orbost district businesses demonstrate globally significant expertise in the breeding and production of seeds for maize, sweet corn and popcorn. In addition, other organisations have extensive expertise in forest seeds and other plants. This expertise could underpin a national seeds institute with global standing in seed breeding and production.

Marlo Hotel - invitations have been extended to project particpants. Contact tim.cotter@orbostregion.com.au for more information.

There are several examples of high value-add or specialist agricultural opportunities, including protected cropping, new products (samphire, insects, black garlic, edible botanicals, native grasses, seaweed), and a cooperative malting facility, that could prompt innovation. The third of these is already the subject of a Food and Fibre Gippsland (FFG) GS3 Innovation Group. Other relevant FFG activities might include vegetable waste processing, insect farming for protein, and seaweed harvesting. Some Orbost district stakeholders are involved in those activities already.

Native forests are an important environmental asset that will require careful management following the end of native timber logging. Promoting biodiversity, particularly supporting threatened species, has been a key part of the decision-making underpinning the Forestry Plan. Access into the forests will have to be constructed and maintained whether for ongoing care, use, visitor economy, or for disaster management. Work in Europe on a similar agenda could be very useful in prompting innovation opportunities in forest management, research and protection activities, and use of forest resources.

The coastal parks along Orbost’s nearby coastline are a stunning natural resource, accompanied by off-shore fishing, hunting, and diving resources that attract international visitors. Current regulations and management arrangements limit access to these assets, in order to protect their environmental conditions. They offer an opportunity for innovative thinking about how greater access to these places can be managed and supported creatively while protecting their environmental status.

The development of a ‘13+’ learning facility which provides for articulated education and training opportunities spanning Certificate 2-Bachelor programs relevant to emerging local enterprises. The facility would be supported by DET, TAFE Gippsland and Federation University, offering personal learning support for a mix of programs

Basic Proposition:

Destination Gippsland (DG) have extensive work underway on tracks and trails with Innovation Groups focused on technologies that could enhance the visitor experience, and

on setting up a social enterprise that could employ unemployed forest contractors and workers and disengaged young people in trail construction and forest management.

Key Assets:

The forests and coastal parks both offer remarkable opportunities for trail development. Already, the East Gippsland Rail Trail has become an important part of cycling holidays between Sydney and Melbourne, and this will be enhanced with the restoration of the Snowy River Rail Bridge. The Sea to Summit Trail is one major investment which already is being investigated as an option to add to the opportunities in the Orbost district.

Strategic Competitive Advantage:

The Orbost district will offer the Visitor Economy part of the GS3 project additional opportunities for developing a social enterprise that can build the expertise for trail design and construction, as well as the ongoing need for trail maintenance. The new mountain bike (MTB) facility at Omeo will attract other MTB riders to East Gippsland, and the scale of the forests offers extensive capacity for new MTB and walking trails to be developed.

Join us at the Orbost Club in person or online to wrap up a big year of innovation discovery in the Orbost district. Professor Bruce Wilson from RMIT and local project manager Tim Cotter will provide an update on the five innovation proposals for the region.

The focus areas for innovation are seeds, agriculture, forest management, tourism and education.

For those in the room on the night you will get the chance to trial a range of local products with our boutique showcase featuring a range of local products.

For more informationvisit www.orbostregion.com.au/future

THE ONLINE COMPONENT OF THE NIGHT WILL RUN FROM 5:30PM - 6:15PM.

Contact Tim Cotter on 0419 040 469 or email tim.cotter@orbostregion.com.au for more information.