Boost for regional and rural council planning

Thursday, 23 June 2011

Planning Minister Matthew Guy today announced $700,000 of funding to support regional and rural councils in the development of their Regional Growth Plans.

The Great South Coast, Central Highlands, Wimmera Southern Mallee, Loddon Mallee South, Loddon Mallee North, Hume, and Gippsland regions will each receive $100,000.

"This funding represents the next stage in planning for growth in regional Victoria and responds to calls from local government for greater State Government support for regional planning," Mr Guy said.

The Regional Growth Plans will deliver short-term outcomes whilst assisting rural and regional councils plan for population growth and ensure longer-term regional land supply.

Regional Growth Plans are an opportunity for regional councils and the government to work in partnership to plan for future growth, development and prosperity in regional Victoria.  This funding will enable councils to commence this process to identify key regional environmental, cultural, recreational, economic, tourism and natural resources of value which will be preserved, maintained or developed.

Existing strategic work by state agencies and local governments will inform the plans.

The Department of Planning and Community Development will coordinate additional planning assistance and support to councils where required.

Growth in the major regional cities and other growth centres needs to be considered in a regional context and this funding provides for this.  Regional Victoria's population has grown by more than 1.2 per cent each year in the past decade – from 1.3 million in 2000 to 1.47 million in 2010.

Development and implementation of the seven Regional Growth Plans will be carried out over the next two years.