Representatives from the local community, industry and the Andrews Labor Government will come together tonight in Creswick for the 2017 Central Highlands Regional Assembly.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford said the Assembly was an important opportunity to discuss the future of the region, its priorities and the Labor Government’s ongoing partnership with local communities.
The Assembly will also feature a youth forum, where Ministers will hear directly from younger members of the community.
Last year’s inaugural Central Highlands Regional Assembly in Ballarat identified a range of priorities, including community health and wellbeing, education, transport and digital connectivity, agriculture and environment, and social welfare.
The Central Highlands Regional Partnership has started seeing the results of its hard work with the Government announcing $39 million for stage 2 of the Ballarat Line Upgrade to deliver improved passenger and freight services to Ararat. This is on top of the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade already underway.
The region will also share in the $45 million from the Connecting Regional Communities Program to support digital initiatives.
The Partnership also held a mini assembly in Ballarat in the lead up to the main event, where information gathered will be tested on participants tonight.
The Central Highlands Regional Assembly is the latest of the nine assemblies taking place across Victoria.
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“This is an important opportunity to continue the conversation on what matters most to our region and hear directly from our young people with a special youth assembly that will hear from our future leaders.”
Quote attributable to the Central Highlands Regional Partnership Chair George Fong
“Tonight’s Assembly will allow us to dive deeper into the priorities we have identified for our region – from education and transport, to health and agriculture.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“We want to know what matters most to locals, small businesses and everyone across our region. This is your chance to have a direct voice to the Andrews Labor Government and help shape the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“Tonight’s Assembly is an opportunity to further discuss priorities but also to dig deeper on these issues, and to consider other important issues such as energy security.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020