The Andrews Labor Government today announced arrangements for the Regional Futures Summit – a new initiative to influence and drive population growth in regional and rural Victoria.
The Summit will be held in Bendigo on 20 July 2016, and will bring together demographers, academics, community leaders, government, industry, education and health providers to shape new regional population strategies.
Regional Futures will influence priorities for the Labor Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (RJIF) as well as the work plans for the nine new Regional Partnerships.
Speaking in Marysville, Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the conference to the state’s 38 rural councils at their annual summit.
Today’s announcement builds on the Government’s Stronger Rural Councils initiative – a $3.5 million commitment to rural councils to support and promote sustainable, liveable and prosperous regional communities.
Over two days Regional Futures will bring together the minds and hearts that will influence population growth, whether it's in fast growing regional cities, tree or sea-change communities or smaller rural areas.
Victoria's rural and regional councils will be invited to bring their experience and ideas to the summit, in order to help shape the future of our regions.
Quotes attributable to the Minster for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with growing and investing in rural and regional Victoria. We are working with communities, industry and local government to ensure regional Victoria is a great place to work, live and invest.”
"We all know why we love our communities. This is about making them bigger and better and stronger."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“As a regional Victorian, I know first-hand that our regional communities are incredible places to live, visit and explore. We need to continue to innovate to take regional Victoria forward.”
“Let’s have a conversation about how regional cities and rural towns can attract new residents so that regional Victoria can continue to have the best of everything.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020