The Andrews Labor Government today unveiled Victoria’s Regional Statement, a new vision for our regions that will change the way government works with the Goulburn region.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, and regional leaders from across the state at Brown Brother’s Winery in Milawa, to launch the Regional Statement and outline the Labor Government’s commitment to rural and regional Victorians.
The Regional Statement will give regional communities a stronger voice in government decision-making by directing priorities identified by regional communities straight into the heart of the Labor Government’s agenda.
The centrepiece of the Statement is the establishment of nine new Regional Partnerships across the state, with representatives from community, business and all three levels of government.
The Partnerships will be formed in nine regions covering rural and regional Victoria, which have been defined to reflect the real communities-of-interest that exist throughout regional Victoria.
The new Goulburn Region, which encompasses Shire of Mitchell, Shire of Moira, Shire of Murrindindi, Shire of Strathbogie and City of Greater Shepparton, will have its own Regional Partnership, ensuring government decisions and investments reflect the priorities of the families, workers and businesses in Goulburn.
The Statement outlines the Labor Government’s significant commitments and investments for regional Victorians and highlights the opportunities and challenges for the Goulburn region.
The Labor Government will work with the Goulburn region to address these challenges, including:
- Continuing to support the region (particularly the Murrindindi Shire) to recover from the significant economic, social and environmental damage from the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires
- Managing structural adjustment impacts arising from industry changes, international competition, slowing economic growth and environmental change
- Improving education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people in the Greater Shepparton area
The Statement also outlines a number of new initiatives that will put the Government back to work for the Goulburn, including:
- Developing a $34 million Regional Skills and Training package that will help local communities in Goulburn, particularly disadvantaged groups and areas, access the training they need to get the jobs they want
- Delivering better reception for mobile devices along the Seymour V/Line rail routes through the Regional Rail Connectivity Project, making it easier for commuters and visitors to and from regional Victoria.
- Investing up to $25 million to upgrade ‘first and last kilometre’ routes across regional Victoria through the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund. This will grow local agriculture by cutting travel times and costs for Goulburn Region producers
- Developing a pipeline of the ten most significant regional tourism projects to fully realise the economic potential of the State’s iconic assets, creating jobs, attracting new generations of domestic and international tourists, and increasing visitor spending opportunities.
The Regional Statement is available online at , along with details of the Labor Government’s commitments and projects currently underway to support the Goulburn region.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re putting government back to work for the Goulburn region with a commitment to create jobs, provide a better start for young people and ensure a brighter future for families and communities.”
“The Statement will make sure that more than ever, government is working for regional communities. Not those with the loudest voices – but the families, workers and communities that are the heart and soul of regional Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“No government should ever take regional Victoria for granted. Families in Goulburn deserve a government that works as hard as they do – and that’s what this Statement is all about.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“Our new approach will harness input directly from our regions so that government decisions and investments reflect what really matters to Goulburn families, workers and communities.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021