NOWA NOWA FUTURES
Nowa Nowa
Local Ideas, Local Action, Local Leadership
Since 2022, with support from the Victorian Government’s Forestry Transition Program, we’ve drafted a Local Development Strategy (LDS) that helps guide new ideas, local jobs and sustainable industries as we move beyond native forest logging. This Local Development Strategy will be constantly updated and broadened over time.
We know the official reports can be long and technical, so this page is our community version. It’s designed for you: Nowa Nowa and district residents. It tells the story of what’s been happening, what’s next, and how you can be part of it.
Our Journey So Far
“The Futures Project is our way of making sure the community leads its own development, in our own voice and at our own pace.”
Regional Context Analysis
The Regional Context Analysis (RCA) is the foundational document guiding the Nowa Nowa Futures Project in identifying and developing new economic opportunities for the area.
Prepared by Project Manager Hayley Hardy (who led the project until March 2025), the RCA draws on months of desktop research and nearly 90 interviews with local residents, stakeholders, and community leaders. It also synthesises insights from 19 relevant studies and key demographic data.
The RCA is structured in three parts:
- The first section provides a snapshot of the region—covering its history, geography, population statistics, and key industries.
- The second section presents findings from community interviews, highlighting the area’s strengths and challenges.
- The final section outlines seven broad ‘innovation opportunities’ identified through the research.
Seven Innovation Opportunities from the RCA
The Regional Context Analysis identified seven innovation opportunities for the Nowa Nowa community, listed below NOT in order of priority.
- Nature Based Tourism. How to connect the visitor to the natural assets (lake, Rail Trail, MTB) in and around the area
- Unique Nature. Provide a supporting platform to access some of the unique natural assets that Nowa Nowa area has.
- Visitor Economy. Provide existing and future visitors with a reason to prolong stay, book future stays and recommend the area to friends and family.
- Alternative Education. Provide residents looking to learn new skills and who are at or above high school age with the education platform to learn that is most appropriate for the wider community.
- Primary Industry. Establish a collaborative, supporting or partnering industry for the existing primary industry businesses within the Nowa Nowa areas.
- Culture and Creative Arts. Establish a platform and/or outlet for creative and cultural pursuits that can assist in driving the Nowa Nowa region economy.
- Health and Ageing Well. To look at the current, future and potential health services in the Nowa Nowa area.
Upcoming Workshops
Are you interested in being part of the upcoming Innovation Working Groups about the below innovation opportunities? Details as follows:
For details and to RSVP, please email: [email protected]
Nowa Nowa
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW
Updates from Our Working Groups
The Futures Project it’s about locals turning ideas into action. Each working group is made up of community members and supported by part-time staff. Here’s how they’re tracking:
Nature Tourism
Goal: Build better connections between Nowa Nowa’s natural assets and visitors without damaging what makes our place special.
- We’re aiming to design an accessible nature route that links the rail trail, lake, walk network and mountain bike park.
- We’re working to develop a concept to inform an augmented reality (AR) visitor experience with artist Lee Nickless and local youth.
- Explored a floating boardwalk.
- Track and trail assessment awaiting funding, hoping to be completed this year.
Next steps:
Build the AR trail experience and train locals in how to manage and maintain the technology.
Check out some of the work the youth group involved in the AR experience has been experimenting with:
Visitor Economy
Goal: Bring vibrancy back into town through food, music, culture and community gathering spaces.
- Two successful Pop-Up Pub events tested the appetite for a community-run venue.
- Continuing to support and grow Nowa Nowa Live music events, supporting Nowa Nowa’s creative identity.
- Exploring options to revitalise unused sites and support the creative industry.
Next steps:
- Build a business case for Nowa Nowa Live, based around the business of solar-powered sound equipment
- Develop a plan for a permanent, locally-run Pub.
Primary Industry
Goal: Support local producers, create jobs and explore new small-scale industries.
- Value Chain Assessment completed, identifying strengths in vegetables, meat and micro-agriculture.
- Interest in a multi-use food hub at the old Adams Mill site for chilling, drying, processing and dispatch.
- Strong support for a shared marketing role across local businesses.
- Careful early-stage planning underway for a possible wild venison processing business.
Next steps:
Explore funding for business cases, connect with existing enterprises, and develop partnerships that support small operators across the region.
Health & Ageing
Goal: Improve access to local health services and explore creative, community-led aged care options.
- Re-established IWG in early 2025 with strong participation from across Nowa Nowa, Lake Tyers and Wairewa.
- Identified issues with access, visibility and trust in health services – and began work on clearer communication tools.
- Discussed opportunities for independent living units and ageing-in-place models.
- Highlighted the school site as a potential location for housing, training or health support.
Next steps:
- Form a community health advisory group.
- Develop an aged care roadmap and fact sheet.
- Explore training pathways and funding for workforce development.
- Improve signage and accessibility for emergency services and patients.
Get Involved
The Nowa Nowa Futures Project is powered by community – and that means you.
Whether you’ve got time to volunteer, want to lend your voice, or are just curious about what’s going on, there are plenty of ways to be part of it.
Join a Working Group
Each Innovation Working Group (IWG) welcomes new members. You don’t need special experience – just a willingness to contribute. The current groups are:
- Nature Tourism
- Visitor Economy
- Primary Industry
- Health & Ageing
Help with Projects or Events
From Pop-Up Pubs to trails assessments and community BBQs, we’re always looking for support. Let us know how you’d like to help – even a couple of hours makes a difference.
Stay in the Loop
You can:
- Drop by a working group meeting
- Sign up for our Community Newsletter
- Follow our updates on social media
- Respond to community surveys
- Talk to a member of the Nowa Nowa Community Development Group
Contact Us
To join a group, volunteer, or find out more, get in touch with:
Nowa Nowa Community Development Group
Email: [email protected]
