- Published:
- Friday 18 September 2015
Treasurer Tim Pallas today joined the Committee for Greater Shepparton to discuss rural and regional development and the proposed lease of the Port of Melbourne.
A new $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund for rural and regional Victoria will be established following the successful passage of the Port of Melbourne lease legislation. The fund will help create jobs, increase exports and support Victorian farmers from paddock to port.
As one of several major hubs in the heart of regional Victoria, Greater Shepparton will benefit from the fund which has the backing of the Victorian Farmers Federation.
It will support vital investment in agricultural infrastructure to boost productivity, increase exports and reduce costs so farmers can stay competitive.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing in the infrastructure needed to help our farmers and producers get their goods to market faster. This will allow them to take advantage of new local and international opportunities.
One of the key initiatives already funded for the Shepparton region will be improved access for High Productivity Freight Vehicles at higher mass limits.
High Productivity Freight Vehicles have been permitted on Victorian roads for nearly seven years, yet their take-up in regional and rural Victoria has been low because their mass limits have been restricted.
Meeting with local producers, manufacturers and industry the Treasurer highlighted that by upgrading key freight routes across Victoria, the Labor Government is enabling higher mass-limit HPFVs to operate between key regional centres like Shepparton and metropolitan Melbourne.
In addition to these upgrades, the Government’s new $20 million program Food Source Victoria will bring producers from the same regions and specialities together to market their produce to boost exports and grow our local industries.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas
“Today we are talking with the Greater Shepparton community to determine the best way to support their supply chains to the Port of Melbourne and lucrative overseas markets.”
“Shepparton is a thriving regional hub and we’re committed to its ongoing growth and prosperity.”
“The Andrews Labor Government has prioritised investment in agriculture to create jobs and drive economic growth to further support our regional and rural communities.”