New vision for manufacturing in the Ballarat region
Wednesday, 06 July 2011
A business roundtable to enable local industry to put in place new directions for the future of the manufacturing industry in the Ballarat region was launched today.
The Victorian Government is committed to strengthening and re-invigorating local industry and supporting regional growth strategies which is why the roundtable was convened, and will provide some direction for the future of manufacturing in the Ballarat region.
The Government wants the manufacturing sector to be even more globally competitive, innovative and skilled, however it is vitally important that local industry advise government about how we can plan for a better business environment.
Manufacturing injects some $3.7 billion into the Ballarat economy and is its third largest employer, with more than 5,500 people. The value of Ballarat manufacturing exports is also about $2.4 billion.
There are key issues to be discussed, such as skills shortages and access to training which can restrain the economic growth of a region, a state and a nation.
The price of energy, carbon policy and the availability of industrial land; pressures on infrastructure, such as roads and public transport, and sensible planning for population growth are all key issues that need careful consideration and planning.
The Government recognises the importance of the manufacturing sector and has begun an inquiry into the future of manufacturing and manufacturing policy with the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, with a final report is due in September this year.
They are also preparing to conduct the most far-reaching benchmarking exercise ever undertaken by any state in Australia and will cover all of Victoria's competitive fundamentals, including state taxes and regulation, infrastructure quality, our education and skills base and price competitiveness.
The manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the Victorian community, providing more than $30 billion in gross state product, employs more than 300,000 people and continuing to be Victoria's leading export sector at the aggregate level.
