Loddon Mallee North priorities in focus

Friday, 08 July 2011

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development Damian Drum met with community and business leaders in Swan Hill today to discuss local priorities in the Northern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan.

Mr Drum said the roundtable discussions would primarily focus on economic development, leadership and actions surrounding the region's plan.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Mr Drum said driving economic growth in regional and rural Victoria was a key priority for the Government.

"It is an exciting time for regional Victoria, with the launch of the Regional Growth Fund earlier this week marking the start of a new era of opportunity for people who live and work outside of Melbourne," Mr Drum said.

"The Victorian Government has a vision for regional development, to ensure the regions remain key contributors to the state's future growth and prosperity, and roundtable events such as this have been set up to establish working relationships with business."

Mr Drum said the roundtable was an opportunity to engage with a broader group of business and industry leaders.

"This event is all about assisting with the identification of potential partnerships and business opportunities, in a collaborative effort with state and local government in the area," Mr Drum said.

"Communicating with local industry and community members is crucial to ensuring that each region can best take advantage of government resources to support locally identified projects and initiatives.

"The Government believes in developing projects that have been identified by local communities, for local communities," Mr Drum said.

To see a copy of the Loddon Mallee Regional Plan visit here