Harcourt 3453 Community Profile Mount Alexander Shire Council Local Community Planning Project
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Mount Alexander Shire Council Local Community Planning Project
Community Profile
Harcourt 3453
1INTRODUCTION
Mount Alexander Shire Council has been funded over three years until May 2014, through the
State Government’s Department of Planning and Community Development, to undertake the
Mount Alexander Shire Local Community Planning Project (LCPP).
The project aims to support local community engagement across the Shire to enable
communities to articulate their needs and aspirations through the development of local
community-based Action Plans.
In September 2011, Council announced that Harcourt would be one of three townships to
participate in the first round of planning. This document has been formulated to provide some
background information about Harcourt and a starting point for discussion.
ABOUT MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE
The original inhabitants of the Mount Alexander area were the Jaara Jaara Aboriginal people.
European settlement dates from the late 1830s, with land used mainly for pastoral purposes,
particularly sheep grazing. Population was minimal until the 1850s, spurred by gold mining
from 1851, the construction of the railway line, and the establishment of several townships.
Rapid growth took place into the late 1800s before declining as gold supplies waned and mines
were closed. Relatively stable between the 1950’s and the 1980’s, the population increased
from about 12,700 in 1981 to 16,600 in 2006. The preliminary Estimated Resident Population
for 2010 is 18,4211.
Mount Alexander Shire (MAS, the Shire) forms part of the Loddon Mallee Region (the Region),
which encompasses ten municipalities and covers nearly 59,000km2 in size, or approximately
26 percent of the land area of the State of Victoria.
The Shire is approximately 1,530km2 in size and comprises several small towns and
communities of national historic and environmental significance. The population of the Shire is
quite centralised, with approximately two thirds of the population living in the greater
Castlemaine area, including the townships of Chewton, Campbells Creek and Barkers Creek.
Other primary townships include Newstead, Maldon, Taradale and Harcourt.
Formed in 1995 from the merger of the City of Castlemaine, Shire of Newstead, most of the
Shire of Maldon and Shire of Metcalfe, Mount Alexander is divided into five wards: Calder
Ward, Castlemaine Ward, Coliban Ward, Loddon Ward and Tarrengower Ward. Castlemaine
Ward has three councillors while the other wards are represented by one councillor each.
1
Estimated Resident Population – Mount Alexander Shire, Australian Bureau of Statistics, June 2011
2Figure One: Map of Mount Alexander Shire
Figure Two: Map of Harcourt
3ABOUT HARCOURT
HISTORY
The rural township of Harcourt is located 30 kilometres south of Bendigo and nine kilometres
north of Castlemaine in the municipality of Mount Alexander.
The rich granite soils, climate and terrain of the Harcourt region enable the production of many
agricultural and horticultural crops. The first apple orchard was planted in 1859 and the region
is now one of Australia’s pre-eminent eating and cider apple and pear producing areas. Home
to a growing wine industry, Harcourt boasts a number of vineyards producing varieties
including Shiraz, Cabernet Savignon, Pinot, Reisling, Chardonnay and Viognier wines. Over forty
producers and retailers have combined under the ‘Taste for Gold’ banner to collectively
promote the food and wine attractions and produce of the region.
Through federal and state government funding, progressive upgrades and realignment of the
Calder Freeway began in 2005. In April 2009 the Harcourt bypass section of the project was
opened creating an estimated daily reduction of 9,000 vehicle movements through the town
and effectively bisecting its centre. The community took a pro-active and collective approach
to considering the impacts and opportunities that this major infrastructure project presented,
with a focus on economic prosperity and vitality. The community identified the need to
develop a strategic action plan, which they named Harcourt After the Bypass. It was decided to
focus on the following key elements:
• A Place to Live: strengthening the local economy through residential growth and
associated growth of facilities and services
• The Town Centre: creating an attractive and vibrant community space; and
• Tourism: making Harcourt a destination of choice.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Harcourt is home to an immediate population of 439 people (160 households). This is
projected to increase to 1100 residents (500 households) by 2021 though it should be noted
that the present rate of dwelling construction activity does not support this increase.2
Attainment of these kinds of new dwellings would require considerable changes to zoning and
release of land to accommodate this.
Current migration trends indicate that almost 18% of the population arrived within the past five
years, 66% have lived in Harcourt for more than five years, and the remaining 16%, all of their
2
SED Consulting Mount Alexander Shire Council Harcourt: After the Bypass, p16
4lives. Only a small proportion of the population of Harcourt was born outside Australia (4.5%),
and of those people all are proficient in English.
Compared to the rest of the Shire, Harcourt’s population is slightly younger than average which
points to a trend toward moving away for better services in old age – (13.6% of Harcourt’s
adults are aged 65-84 as compared to 16% for MAS and 14% for Regional Victoria).
Correspondingly, school attendance shows a slightly higher percentage of the population
attending primary school and secondary school with marginally higher figures than MAS for
tertiary attendance. Harcourt Valley Primary School currently has 84 students on the roll. An
injection of 1.8 million dollars by Federal Government in 2009 saw old relocatable buildings
replaced with state of the art facilities. The Harcourt and District Playgroup, run by the Uniting
Church meets on a weekly basis and the Harcourt Pre-School Play Centre provides 3 & 4 year-
old kinder services.
Compared to the rest of the Shire, Harcourt is home to a lesser number of one-parent families
and a significantly greater number of couples with children – 48.8% in comparison to 38.7% in
MAS.
In terms of Faith, 50% of the population describe themselves as Christian (compared to 68% in
Regional Vic), 1.4% as Non-Christian, and 32% as having no religion.
ECONOMICS
Hundreds of hectares of apple orchards cover the Harcourt Valley with approximately 20
orchards producing 40 percent of Victoria's apples. There are currently 28 local businesses
operating in the area and in addition to the aforementioned apple, pear and wine production,
the area’s fertile soil supports the cultivation of other products including cherries, raspberries,
apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, olives and goats cheeses. All have been impacted by the
continuing drought and climate change conditions. Harcourt also produces high quality granite
that has been used for significant buildings and structures across Australia.
Harcourt Post Office
Tourist attractions in the area include the Heritage Centre, Skydancers Orchid and Butterfly
Gardens, a range of vineyards and cideries and the Mount Alexander Regional Park.
5Harcourt scores 1014 on the SEIFA index of disadvantage meaning that it has a relatively low
level of disadvantage - the benchmark score being 1000. By comparison, Mount Alexander
Shire scores 981 on the index. 38.2% of households in Harcourt earn over $1000 per week and
14.5% earn less than $350 per week (as compared to 17.6% in Regional Victoria).
Unemployment in Harcourt is on a par with MAS at around 6.5% but higher than Regional Vic’s
unemployment rate of 5.6%. Of those in employment the great majority work in Castlemaine
or Bendigo.
Rental accommodation accounts for 13.6% of the housing market as compared to 22.4% for
Regional Victoria. Housing in Harcourt is either fully owned (35.2%) or being purchased with
the aid of a mortgage (41.4%). These figures are consistent with the perceived trend towards
new arrivals and/or the need to remortgage.
COMMUNITY LIFE AND LEISURE
Leisure
Harcourt residents report enjoying having friends and family to stay, eating out/going to the
pub and attending markets, festivals, theatre and the cinema. They also have a high level of
interest in volunteering.
Of particular importance to the town is the Harcourt Applefest, which takes place every Labour
Day long weekend in March. The festival features a Saturday market with an emphasis on
apples. Entertainment is provided, including the Harcourt Idol competition, apple pie baking
competition, apple pie eating competition, street parade, and a premier event on the Saturday
night. A fun run and pet parade and Harcourt’s famous ferret races also feature on the
program.
Castlemaine and Bendigo are the preferred destinations for bulk shopping, with ‘top-up’
shopping carried out locally.
Transport
Castlemaine Bus Lines currently operates a return weekday only service from Harcourt to
Castlemaine departing Harcourt at 8.55am, 12.10pm and 2.25pm.
6Community Life
Harcourt does not have a community newsletter. In lieu of this The Harcourt Valley Community
Website (www.harcourt.vic.au) was established at the beginning of 2010 as a resource and
business directory for the communities of the Harcourt Valley but is not regularly updated.
However, the community has since embraced social media by establishing an Applefest
Facebook profile, currently supported by over 500 people.
As a consequence of Harcourt’s active community, in 2009 the Harcourt 2020 group emerged
from Harcourt: after the bypass. Initially, a number of meetings were held that were open to
any interested members of the community, businesses, organisations or just people who were
interested in the future of Harcourt following the opening of the Calder bypass. In mid 2010
following the presentation of a report to Mount Alexander Shire Council, Harcourt 2020
disbanded in favour of the Council Advisory/Reference Group Harcourt After the Bypass which
meets four times a year, two meetings being closed and two being open to the public.
Early in 2010, Council released an Aquatic Study, which recommended a closure of the
Harcourt Outdoor Swimming Pool . This resulted in the reformation of Harcourt 2020 to
further drive the community's wants and needs for Harcourt, with the initial goal being to save
the pool, and the long-term goal being to improve the economic development and liveability of
the Harcourt Valley.
Harcourt Swimming Pool
T The Queen & King of Applefest arrive in style
7Community Grants
The following Harcourt based organisations have received funding under Mount Alexander
Shire’s Strengthening Our Community Grants Scheme during the past two years.
2011/12
• Harcourt District & Fruit Growers Association for pest management & the development
of a food security strategy
• Harcourt Pony Club for the installation of toilet facilities
• Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre for the installation of a heating & cooling
system in the museum’s volunteer work space
• Harcout Applefest to help ensure smooth running
2010/11
• Harcourt Pony Club for new equipment
• Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre for the production of a tourist driving map
• Harcourt Valley Landcare Group for streamside improvement at Barkers Creek
• Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre for Applefest 20th birthday celebrations
Community Groups
The following is a list of community groups in the Harcourt area –
ANA Hall CWA Harcourt Branch
Harcourt Bowling Club Harcourt Swimming Pool (Section 86)
Harcourt Carpet Bowls (winter) Harcourt Lions Club
Harcourt Cricket Club Harcourt Arrow Guides
Harcourt Football/Netball Club Harcourt Mount Alexander Guides
Harcourt Leisure Centre & Rec Reserve Harcourt Tennis Club
Harcourt Pony Club Harcourt North Tennis Club
Harcourt Rural Fire Brigade Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre
Harcourt Wrens Junior Netball Club Harcourt Valley Landcare Group Inc
Harcourt Valley News Harcourt North Community Hall
Oak Forest Park Harcourt Uniting Church
8HOT ISSUES
In 2012 the Community Planner has had conversations with groups and individuals who have so
far raised the following areas of concern -
Hot Issue Actions & Priority Responsibility Status
Possibilities **
Re-establishment of a ‘village’ -Land rezoning Council/State Gov Pending
atmosphere around the town
centre 2
-Redevelopment of 1
the Old Calder
VicRoads/Council
Highway
Underdeveloped tourism -Roadside signs Business/Council/Vic
pointing to Roads
Harcourt and 1
surrounding places
of interest
Lack of transport choices -Council to DoT
5
advocate
Impacts of climate change -Explore Ind/Business/Council
sustainability issues /State and Fed Gov
4
within the
Community Plan
Changing economic and -Establish new Community
demographic profiles opportunities for
community 2
connection and
address in the CP
Lack of services (ie. gas supply) 4
Shortage of leisure activities -Ensure young Community/Council/
for young people people participate Youth Services
2
in community
planning
Loss of three-year-old -Raise awareness of Community/YMCA
kindergarten funding community 3
resources
** As most frequently raised by people being canvassed through current consultations.
9NOTES
About the SEIFA Index
Relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage can broadly be defined in terms of
people’s access to material and social resources, and their ability to participate in society.
Since 1971, The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has produced four different Socio-
Economic Indexes for Area (SEIFA) which enable analysis of different aspects of relative area
disadvantage.
SEIFA indexes are assigned to areas, not to individuals. They indicate the collective socio-
economic status of the people living in an area. A relatively disadvantaged area is likely to have
a high proportion of relatively disadvantaged people. However, such an area is also likely to
contain people who are not disadvantaged, as well as people who are relatively advantaged.
Another aspect of disadvantage as measured in SEIFA is that it is multidimensional. For
example, consider a community with a relatively high level of financial wellbeing. On this basis
we may conclude that this area is relatively advantaged. However, if this community also has
very high crime rates, or poor levels of general health, these factors may cause us to view the
area as relatively disadvantaged.
(Source Australian Bureau of Statistics, ©2008)
This community profile has been developed utilising the following resources:
Australian Bureau of Statistics National Regional Profile: Mount Alexander
Community Indicators Victoria Mount Alexander Wellbeing Report
Profile ID Mount Alexander Shire Community Profile
Mount Alexander Shire Map 2020 Community Plan
SED Consulting Mount Alexander Shire Council Harcourt: After the Bypass
Mount Alexander Shire Council Harcourt Speaks
Mount Alexander Shire Council Harcourt Town Centre Master Plan
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