Regional Development in Victoria
Over the last decade, unprecedented levels of investment and new programs have transformed the face of regional Victoria. Victoria is now a leader in regional development; with industries, businesses and communities benefiting from programs and investments that have reinvigorated regional economies and communities.
A key priority of the Government has been to support regional Victoria as the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.
- in December 1999, the Government established Australia’s first Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), which has rebuilt vital economic and community infrastructure across regional Victoria, supporting the development of new facilities, services and industries, and creating thousands of jobs year after year
- in 2003, Regional Development Victoria was created as a dedicated statutory body to facilitate economic, infrastructure and community development to support prosperity and growth in regional Victoria
- in 2005, the Moving Forward – Making Provincial Victoria the Best Place to Live, Work and Invest statement provided $502 million for new infrastructure, services and support in regional areas. In 2008, the Moving Forward Update was released, which allocated $68 million to support greater competition in regional industries, increase skill levels and respond to the effects of drought and a changing climate
- investments have been made in major regional road and rail projects, including regional fast rail links, upgrades to rail freight lines, improvements to regional bus services and the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan which includes the new $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link
- major regional water infrastructure projects that have been launched and completed as part of the Our Water, Our Future Plan, include the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, the Hamilton-Grampians Pipeline, the Goldfields Superpipe and the Food Bowl Modernisation Project. All are securing future water supplies for farming communities, households and industries.
- in 2010 the Ready for Tomorrow – A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria statement was released and builds on RDV's major investments and achievements, aiming to further strengthen the regional economy and continue to improve regional lifestyles, opportunities, services and amenities in the years ahead.
- in 2011 the Regional Growth Fund will be legislated which will enable regional Victorians to enjoy new prosperity, more opportunities and better quality of life through better regional infrastructure, facilities and services. Funding will also target key local projects, and is divided into the Local Government Infrastructure Account and the Putting Locals First program, which will focus on locally-identified priority projects.
