Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford today met with community leaders, businesses and local government in Mildura at a Regional Partnerships Stakeholder Forum.
The discussions focused on the establishment of nine new Regional Partnerships to direct local priorities straight into the heart of State Government decision-making, as set out in Victoria’s Regional Statement released in November 2015.
A Mallee Regional Partnership will be established by July this year, with each of the following local councils invited to participate:
The Andrews Labor Government recognises that each region is different, and will ensure decisions and investments reflect the priorities of local families, workers and businesses, giving a real voice to regional Victorian communities.
The Partnerships will build on the work of existing regional leadership and advocacy groups, looking at the strategic priorities local communities have identified across economic, social and environmental issues. It will then oversee implementation of the top priorities.
These will be published, fed into a new Rural and Regional Ministerial Committee, which met for the first time in Bendigo last month. The new committee comprises the Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford, the Minister for Employment Jacinta Allan, and the Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“We are getting straight to work establishing the new partnership model and providing a new way of working with regional Victorians so their voices can be clearly heard in the heart of government.”
“We understand that every region is different and have their own character, aspirations and understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020