Towards 2015 is a key initiative of the City of Mount Gambier, involving a three-stage revitalisation and redevelopment project that focuses on the future. The project will ensure Mount Gambier is a step ahead in laying foundations for future growth and success in a viable, sustainable and community-focused manner.

Towards 2015 aims to increase the quality of life for the residents of Mount Gambier, and the residents of surrounding regions, both now and into the future.

Towards 2015 endeavours to fulfill the needs and wants of the community moving forward. Mount Gambier needs, and wants, more opportunities for our young people, a development of our existing arts, cultural and heritage infrastructure, an increase in our visitor numbers and in our population and to have a greater ability to attract investment.

By redeveloping the three key sites, Mount Gambier will have the facilities and opportunities to meet these needs and wants. Our goal is to create a lively city with an exciting, developing future, where our quality of life remains unequalled.

All components of the three-stage Mount Gambier redevelopment meet the five key goals of the South Australian Strategic Plan. This will have a positive impact on Mount Gambier, as well as South Eastern South Australia and the Western districts of Victoria region.

The benefits of Beyond 2015 are dot pointed below, under each of the key goals of the South Australian Strategic Plan.

• Growing prosperity:
  1. Investment in education, skills and community learning
  2. An increase in jobs, both during the construction phase and from completion, due to the expansion and broader scope of facilities available
  3. Investment in cultural education, networking and business
  4. Investment from other businesses due to the increased visitation and better facilities and infrastructure.
  5. An increase in retail sales, tourism, visitor numbers and the overall population
• Improving wellbeing:
  1. Provision of facilities for health, education and wellbeing
  2. Provision of meaningful services for families and the community
  3. Investment from other businesses due to the increased visitation and better facilities and infrastructure.
  4. An increase in retail sales and tourism
  5. Support of an environmentally sustainable development
• Fostering creativity:
  1. Encouragement of creativity and enterprise in our young people
  2. Involvement of all ages and sectors of the community in events
  3. Greater engagement of the wider Mount Gambier region in community and cultural activities due to improved facilities, events and infrastructure
  4. Increasing the level of support for the development of arts and culture in Mount Gambier and surrounds
• Building communities:
  1. Foster and harness the benefits of social networks
  2. Provision of civic infrastructure to support communities, networks and groups
  3. An increase in the number of public meeting spaces
  4. An expansion in the number of community based programs and initiatives
• Expanding opportunity:
  1. More opportunities and support for education
  2. Increased opportunities for involvement in cultural events, exhibitions and workshops
  3. An increase in retail sales and tourism and the opportunity for business investment
  4. Raising the profile of Mount Gambier within South Australia and interstate, to encourage further investments of a commercial and philanthropic nature

All developments planned for Mount Gambier have been designed to have minimal impact on the environment and will incorporate sustainable materials and practices wherever possible.

For the community environment, the three-stage city revitalization and redevelopment project will facilitate community cohesion, as well as integrate economic, social and environmental growth. This will further enable participation in decision-making and provide greater opportunities for future generations.

The three-stage revitalisation and redevelopment project is aimed at positively impacting everyone in Mount Gambier and surrounding regions. The intention is to engage all members of the community, in one way or another, through out the process, to assist in the development and ongoing viability of these facilities.

Support for this project will come from many different areas including the community, businesses, State and Federal Government Departments and Council (community).

The Riddoch Art Gallery Inc. (for the Main Corner Cultural and Heritage Precinct development) and Mount Gambier Library have Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Donations to these projects have the benefit of income tax deductibility.

Corporate sponsorships, donations and bequests will be important components of the developments.