Horsham will tonight play host to the next Regional Assembly, giving those living and working in the Wimmera Southern Mallee the opportunity to speak directly to the Andrews Labor Government.
Representatives of the local community and industry will have their voices heard, with members of the Labor Government at the Regional Assembly to hear exactly what locals have to say.
Last year’s Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Assembly identified a range of priorities for the region from improving early childhood development to better mobile and digital connectivity, as well as support for tourism and a new networked Grains Centre of Excellence.
The Labor Government is backing a number of initiatives that came out of last year’s Assembly and the ongoing work of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership, including:
- A commitment to investigate a Grains Centre of Excellence and to explore tourism opportunities in Wimmera Southern Mallee;
- More than $500 million to improve regional roads including the Western Highway from Stawell to the South Australian border;
- A share in $45 million for the new Connecting Regional Victoria program, which will boost Wi-Fi, address mobile black spots and provide digital connectivity across Regional Victoria, including in the Wimmera Southern Mallee.
This week’s Regional Assembly will be an opportunity to assess priorities and discuss new opportunities and challenges.
Following the Assembly, a summary of discussions, ideas and recommendations will be published online and the Wimmera Southern Mallee Partnership Chair David Jochinke will present the community’s priorities to the Rural and Regional Ministerial Committee.
To have your say, or to register for one of the remaining six Regional Assemblies, go to engage.regions.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“I am excited to be in the Wimmera Southern Mallee to listen to the local community and to make sure we are getting things right for this community.”
“We know that through listening and responding to the needs of people in the Wimmera Southern Mallee, we will get the best results for locals and communities. “
Quotes attributable to Wimmera Southern Mallee Partnership Chair David Jochinke
“This year we want to dig a little deeper into some of the key issues and opportunities that you told us about last year. This is another chance for the people in the region to be heard.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020