A Latrobe City councillor wants to “shine a spotlight” on all ideas being floated for the Latrobe Valley’s future economic development.
Cr Graeme Middlemiss said the Valley was facing a major employment problem amid talk of power station closures and cheaper manufacturing overseas.
He is calling on all those involved in assessing the region’s future and proposing solutions to come to the table and share their information publicly.
“It’s time to stop sloganeering,” Cr Middlemiss told fellow councillors at Monday night’s ordinary council meeting.
“I am sick of glasses half full. I want to see the detail. I am sure the community wants to see the detail. I’m sure this council wants to see the detail.”
On Monday night Cr Middlemiss proposed to hold a meeting with governments, unions, businesses and community to have a “robust debate”.
He suggested such a meeting should be held within the month, involve brief presentations about potential economic development and result in a ‘positioning paper’.
That paper would be used as the basis of further meetings ‘to coordinate and accelerate economic development in Latrobe City’.
“The very first step is we need to quantify the problem; what does the problem look like?” Cr Middlemiss later told The Express.
Cr Middlemiss’ notion of motion received unanimous support from councillors who attended Monday’s meeting.
Deputy mayor Sharon Gibson said it was vital there was a “united voice” when talking about the region’s future.
Cr Dale Harriman said the proposed meeting was “something we as a council should have done a while ago”.
Cr Middlemiss also proposed inviting the Premier to open the meeting and outline the State Government’s position.
State Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said the government was “leading the way” with its $40 million package included in the 2016/17 state budget.
He said ensuring residents and community representatives took a central role in shaping major decisions about the region’s future economic development was a government priority.
“That’s why initial meetings and discussions with local government, industry, unions and community groups have commenced, and will continue,” Mr Noonan said.
“We have a collective responsibility to help grow and diversify the economy in the Latrobe Valley – to grow existing local businesses as well as bring in new industries and businesses and create jobs.”
Mr Noonan said the development and implementation of the $40 million investment would be based on consultation with community.
He said he was meeting with council representatives today and would return to the Valley in coming weeks.
