A newly established group of peak industry bodies and private businesses, known as Future Gippsland, will focus on the region’s “ongoing prosperity”.
Deputy Premier and State Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan announced the new group had received $15,000 from the State Government.
He said the group would “advocate to all levels of government and help explore ways to better attract investment in the region”.
Gippsland Regional Development Australia chair Richard Elkington said, once established through the Committee for Gippsland, Future Gippsland would be an extensive network of the region’s private sector businesses and representative groups able to act as a consultative body for the region. He said the State Government had committed to consulting with the new network to understand its views on Gippsland.
Mr Ryan said the project also supported the objectives of various key regional plans aimed at “promoting investment and economic activity in the region”, including the Committee for Gippsland’s Strategic Plan, the Gippsland Regional Plan and the Latrobe Valley Transition Plan.
“Sustainable ongoing investment in Victoria’s regions, in particular Gippsland, is essential to boost the state’s economy and create more jobs,” he said. Mr Ryan said until now “differing agendas and a lack of a collective approach” had “led to a break-down of communication between government and Gippsland’s leading commercial organisations”.
“Through increased collaboration it is hoped that all parties would be able to streamline their regulatory processes, increase investment opportunities and create more jobs,” he said.
The MP also said combined state and federal government funding was “essential to support the growth and resilience of communities in regional Victoria and provide a better quality of life for its citizens”. He said the State Government had committed $15,000 towards the $20,000 project through the Gippsland RDA committee.
