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).
Find the full document here.
We know the official reports can be long and technical, so we created this version – Community Friendly version here. 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.
This is a living document – it helps guide new ideas, local jobs and sustainable industries as we move beyond native forest logging. As it is a living document will be updated and broadened over time.
Our Journey So Far
Year | Milestone |
2022 | Nowa Nowa selected as one of 11 towns in Victoria’s Forestry Transition Program. |
Early 2023 | Project Coordinator appointed. 86 interviews with community members, businesses, organisations and agencies. |
Mid–Late 2023 | Draft Local Development Strategy starting to shape up through interviews, meetings and community feedback These defined the areas that most people were interested in developing. |
2024 | Innovation Working Groups (IWGs) formed for Nature Tourism, Visitor Economy, and Primary Industry. |
Early 2025 | Pilot events and feasibility studies underway. Health & Ageing IWG re-established. |
Mid 2025 | Applications submitted for funding to support the next three years of work. Nowa Nowa awaits the next stage with optimism. |
Late 2025 | Team built; Project Leads, Communication & Engagement & overall Project Co-ordinator in place. |
Early 2026 | LDS completed and shared. Health & Aging Project Lead on board, key projects moving into pilot phases. Funding applications are prepared. |
“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) was 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 (with the project until March 2025), it can be downloaded below.
Seven Innovation Opportunities
The Regional Context Analysis identified seven innovation opportunities for the Nowa Nowa community, listed below in alphabetical order;
- Alternative Education
- Culture and Creative Arts
- Health and Aging Well
- Nature Based Tourism
- Primary Industry
- Unique Nature
- Visitor Economy
Of these seven, the following four opportunities have been selected by the community and are being led forward by a Project Lead and an Innovation Working Group (in alphabetical order);
- Health and Aging – Workplan here
- Nature Based Tourism – Workplan here
- Primary Industry – Workplan here
- Visitor Economy – Workplan here
You may notice in reading the Workplans, that they refer to our Unique Nature Principles, they can be found here.
Each Innovation Working Group (IWG) welcomes new members. You don’t need special experience – just a willingness to contribute. Are you interested in being part of the Innovation Working Groups? Please email: [email protected]
Stay in the Loop
You can:
- Drop by a working group meeting
- Sign up for our Community Newsletter
- Follow our updates on Facebook
- Respond to community surveys
- Talk to a member of the Nowa Nowa Community Development Group
Contact Us
To find out more, get in touch with:
Nowa Nowa Community Development Group
Email: [email protected]
