Industry groups and networks

Council works with a number of industry groups and networks within the Macedon Ranges. Some of these are formal associations with a membership base that you can join, while others are informal networks and industry groups that meet with Council on a regular basis.

Industry groups

Business and Tourism Associations (BATA)

Association members are local business stakeholders with an interest in supporting the growth of existing and new businesses, business to business relationships and partnerships in local destination marketing.

Macedon Ranges Accommodation Association (MRAA)

Members service the Macedon Ranges with a wide variety of accommodation properties and endeavour to provide support and encourage education and networking opportunities for accommodation businesses across the shire.

Visit macedonranges.org.au or email secretary@macedonranges.org.au

Macedon Ranges Business Improvement Group (MRBIG)

What started as The Macedon Ranges Business Networking Group has evolved into the Macedon Ranges Business Improvement Group. This group was established in 2015 by a group of local professionals who wanted to strategically grow their businesses and support one another in that shared endeavour.

Members come from a diverse range of service categories, each of them offering something distinctive.

Together they are building a valuable resource for operating business in the Macedon Ranges.

The group meets every Tuesday fortnight at Baringo 253 Station Road, New Gisborne. 

For more information contact the Macedon Ranges Business Improvement Group.

Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association (MRVA)

The Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association represents vignerons from throughout the Macedon Ranges wine region. Providing support to local vignerons, their priorities are regional marketing and promotions, industry development, innovation, collaboration and forming strategic partnerships.

Email secretary@macedonrangeswine.com.au

This Farm Needs a Farmer

Connects tree changers with experienced farmers looking to lend a helping hand and those seeking advice about what is best for their property and its needs.

To connect with local farmers in your area, or to arrange an on-site visit email contact@thisfarmneedsafarmer.com.au or follow on Facebook.

Networks

We work with a range of industry networks who provide support and advice to Council and assist with the implementation of strategy actions.

Daylesford Macedon Tourism (DMT)

Daylesford Macedon Tourism is the peak industry body for tourism in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, that works cooperatively with Council via a memorandum of understanding. They are an independent body focusing on the development and growth of the tourism industry, strategic tourism investment and advocacy.

Their role is to provide strategies, guidance and foster a united, engaged and successful industry, and achieve this by working with all key stakeholders to ensure a consistent approach to tourism development and marketing across the region.

Macedon Ranges Agribusiness Forum

The Macedon Ranges Agribusiness Forum was established in 2013 as an advisory committee to Council.  At the Scheduled Council meeting held on Wednesday 23 February 2022, after much acknowledgement for what the Forum has contributed to and actioned over time, Councillors unanimously moved the following recommendation with regard to the Forum:

That Council:

Dissolves the Macedon Ranges Agribusiness Forum as a Committee of Council, and;

  1. Thanks members, and those who responded to an Expression of Interest in December 2020, for their interest, involvement and achievements during the Forum’s tenure;
  2. Notes that Council officers will continue to deliver on the Agribusiness outcomes and initiatives that are embedded in the Macedon Ranges Economic Development Strategy 2021– 2031;
  3. Encourages Macedon Ranges Agribusinesses to form an independent group and continue to provide valuable input as a sector based representative body.

Council is very grateful for the time and incredibly valuable contribution members and guests of the Forum have provided over the past 8 years. To ensure that there is continued demonstrated commitment to the sector, Council will continue carrying out previously agreed actions, such as embedding Agribusiness initiatives and outcomes in the Economic Development Strategy 2021-2031

We actively encourage any interested parties to convene an independent Agribusiness  focused group to continue to advocate, contribute and be involved with other industry and stakeholder representatives in the Macedon Ranges Shire. Council is willing to provide secretariat support and assistance with meeting venues (with additional online meeting options supported if required) for up to six months should that support be requested to establish an independent body.

For further information, please contact Danni Findlay, Business Development Officer on 0447 554 634 or via email ecodevadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc. (TMR)

Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc. (TMR) is a local not for profit association. It is the peak representative tourism body for businesses involved in the tourism industry within the Macedon Ranges Shire. 

TMR works with Macedon Ranges Shire Council, via a memorandum of understanding, to assist with the development and implementation of the Macedon Ranges Visitor Economy Strategy 2019-2029.

Working collaboratively with Council’s tourism unit, TMR provides Council with:

  • input and assistance with strategic planning
  • support with implementation and prioritising actions of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2019-2029
  • industry research and intelligence
  • advice and support for tourism-related activities in the shire
  • development of business partnerships and strengthening cohesion of the tourism industry.

For more information, call Economic Development and Tourism on (03) 5421 9616 or ecodevadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au

For more information, call Economic Development and Tourism on (03) 5421 9616 or ecodevadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au