China is showcasing Victorian water-sensitive urban design and investing in local businesses to build ‘Sponge Cities’ which will be designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality and reuse storm and wastewater.
The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening bonds with China through partnerships with the Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces to share Victorian expertise about water management to create more liveable cities.
Minister for Water and Police Lisa Neville will today travel to China to visit the Victoria-Jiangsu Innovation Park, which is named after Victoria and will promote Australian water and planning businesses internationally.
The innovation hub is part of a $8.5 million investment by the Kunshan City Government and will feature a centre to promote these businesses, many of which are from Victoria – including landscape architects, environmental engineers and water treatment technology companies.
The Labor Government has helped Kunshan implement water-sensitive urban design in their city as China invests in 16 ‘Sponge Cities’ through water assets including ponds, filtration pools and wetlands to enhance public spaces and ensure they are green and healthy.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) is working with China to better support them to recycle water, help save polluted and dry rivers and waterways and address future challenges of climate change, population growth and a lack of access to clean drinking water.
Minister Neville will also meet with police and crime prevention agencies in Hong Kong to discuss international corruption, cybercrime, transport policing, high-visibility and high-density policing.
She will also attend the Hong Kong Cyber Unit to look at ways to improve cybercrime protection and public education in Victoria, and a briefing with the local Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on their approach to investigating and preventing corruption.
As part of the visit, Minister Neville will also attend a briefing on the impact of illicit gambling on sporting integrity and visit the Narcotics Bureau to understand how Hong Kong Police combat dangerous drug crimes.
This will allow Victoria to gain more knowledge of emergency management, community policing models and perceptions of safety from crime.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“We’re promoting Victoria’s water management expertise, services and urban design to support jobs and grow the Victorian economy.”
“It’s important to share Victoria’s best practice policy and innovation with our global neighbours, to enhance quality and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“This visit to China will allow international comparison on security options for Victoria and how to better prevent organised crime and security threats and keep our community safe.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020