Regional development

The Coalition Government will spearhead a regional resurgence in Victoria that will create new prosperity, more opportunities and better quality of life. We believe that regional Victoria is a key to balancing Victoria’s future population growth.

We will legislate for a $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to be invested over eight years to drive growth and prosperity in regional Victoria. The fund will promote a grass-roots approach identifying community projects and providing flexible funding through five Regional Development Committees that will help communities to fill gaps in services and infrastructure and create job opportunities.

Delivering a fairer share of funding and resources to regional cities and country communities is part of the Coalition’s strong plan to:create more jobs and improve career opportunities;

• leverage additional investment;
• strengthen the economic base; and
• provide better infrastructure, facilities and services across the state.

It is essential that we use this funding to enable regional Victoria to improve services, facilities and infrastructure, so that regional communities are best placed to accommodate future population growth.

Achievements and policies implemented in the first year of Coalition Government

• Introduced and passed the Regional Growth Fund Act and associated regulation
• Developed the policy framework of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF)
• Commenced the Energy for the Regions program to bring natural gas to 12 priority towns
• Declared the Mildura Riverfront Project a project of state or regional significance and approved funding of $3 million towards redevelopment of the Mildura Airport and $5 million towards the riverfront parklands work
• Established the Fire Recovery Unit to assist in the ongoing recovery and response to the February 2009 bushfires
• Launched the Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund on 1 July 2011 to provide funding to support flood affected Councils and Crown Land reserve Committees of Management to help repair flood-damaged community infrastructure following the 2011 floods
• Appointed and established the Regional Policy Advisory Committee in September 2011
• Established a locally-supported governance framework for the development of the Latrobe Valley Industry and Employment Roadmap
• Launched the $5.2 million Marysville economic development package and extension of subsidised loans and small business mentoring schemes to support economic development in fire-affected areas

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