Last year’s closure of the Murray Goulburn factory put 135 workers out of a job and about 70 will be waiting months before they know if they still have a position under new owner Saputo.

Indigo Council’s draft economic development strategy for 2018-21 maintains there was nothing the council could have done to prevent the decision and no “silver bullet” to stop it happening again.

But it has taken responsibility for coming up with a plan for the economy and development in Kiewa and Tangambalanga to recover.

“Council will be working closely with the community and businesses to develop a ‘placemaking and structure plan’. This will provide a platform for the community to reinvigorate itself and find a pathway to continue to thrive in the next evolution of its history,” the strategy stated.

The first step has been hiring a consultant to collaborate with a community working party, set up with a cross-section of people from the region including Murray Goulburn workers, small businesses, community members and former Indigo councillor Peter Croucher.

Mayor Jenny O’Connor said the consulting process had already begun.

“It’s planning for how the towns can grow in a way that’s well-planned,” she said.

“The big driver for all of that is the closure of Murray Goulburn. We need to, as much as we can, encourage growth in Tangambalanga and not rely on one industry.”

The strategy recognised Indigo Shire’s strong reliance on the manufacturing sector, which contributed almost 30 per cent of the municipality’s economic output and 25.9 per cent of jobs.

The plan will also focus on creating a new residential development at Tangambalanga, building a supermarket, attracting new industry and small business, and opening up access to the Kiewa River.

“We now have support from (Benambra MP) Bill Tilley in trying to get a lower price from North East Catchment Management Authority so we can afford to buy (land with access to the river),” Cr O’Connor said.

“I’m very pleased to see such good engagement from the community.”

The draft strategy is available on the Indigo Council website and submissions can be made until February 19.