'Tarra', Victoria

Abstract

The region named 'Tarra' in this case study encapsulates many of the challenges faced by Australian rural towns and districts: it has experienced the combined effects of service cuts, agricultural restructuring and falling commodity prices, drought and livestock disease, local government amalgamation, and declining population. On the other side of the ledger, it presents a rich and varied environment, supports a range of economic activities, and is the site of a community redevelopment initiative, the' Alberton Project', which is regarded as the model for a State-wide community-capacity building project.