Representatives from the local community, industry and the Andrews Labor Government will come together on Thursday night in Wodonga for the second annual Ovens Murray 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.
Last year’s inaugural Regional Assembly identified a range of priorities for the region, including educating and developing skills for future generations, developing the regions key and emerging industry sectors and improving transport connectivity.
The Labor Government is already backing key initiatives that came out of last year’s Assembly and ongoing work of the Ovens Murray Regional Partnership, including:
- $12 million in funding for the northeast cycling optimisation project, to increase cycling tourism,
- $1.6 billion in funding to improve passenger rail services on the North East line as part of the Regional Rail Revival package,
- A share in $45 million for the new Connecting Regional Communities Program, which will support digital initiatives such as broadband infrastructure trials and address mobile blackspots.
This week’s Regional Assembly is an opportunity to identify further priorities, and consult Ovens Murray communities and businesses on what matters to them.
The Ovens Murray Regional Assembly is the latest of nine assemblies taking place across Victoria. Regional Victorians are encouraged to register and have their say at engage.regions.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“I’m excited to be in the Ovens Murray region this week to again listen to the local community and to make sure we are getting things right for this great set of communities.”
“We know that through listening and responding to the needs of people in the Ovens Murray region, we will get the best results for locals and communities.”
Quote attributable to Ovens Murray Regional Partnership Chair Irene Grant
“This collaboration between government, business and the community is an important opportunity to build on our strengths and position the region for a strong future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020