Mayor Tony Driscoll said the council last month received a draft Retail Gap Analysis report for Stawell and St Arnaud.

Cr Driscoll said the first phase of the report, produced by the Retail Doctor Group, provides key insights and evidence-based recommendations for the retail sector within the two major towns.

He said it would now move on to phase two – community engagement.

Cr Driscoll said this process involved the community being given full access to the draft report as well as having the opportunity to provide feedback on the key findings and recommendations.

He said the report was important for the retail sector across the shire. 

“This report is an important part of the ongoing process of revitalising the retail precincts of Stawell and St Arnaud,” Cr Driscoll said. 

“We’d love to get as much community and trader input into the report as we can to get a more comprehensive look at where things sit and what to prioritise moving forward.”

Cr Driscoll said residents were also invited to fill out an ‘Escape Spending’ survey.

He said the survey would help round out the research conducted so far on what was drawing people out of the two townships to spend their money elsewhere.

He said from here, a final report would be produced, before implementation of the recommendations takes place.

Cr Driscoll said the implementation phase would last between three and five years and would involve a collaborative effort between the council, private business and the community.

He said a Retail Taskforce would be established in both Stawell and St Arnaud and was part of the implementation process. 

Cr Driscoll said people wanting more information on the report, and how they could get involved in providing feedback, could head to www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/EngagiNG