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Regional Development Victoria

Annual Report 2004/05

Published by the Victorian Government


Annual Report 2004/05

October 2005

Melbourne Victoria

© Copyright State of Victoria 2005

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any

process except in accordance with the provisions of the

Copyright Act 1968.

ISSN 1448-9341

Contact:

Communications Unit


55 Collins St

Melbourne 3000

Telephone: (03) 9651 9000

Facsimile: (03) 9651 9360

Printed by Waller and Chester

53 Scott Parade

Ballarat 3350

ContentsSection 1.0 - Introduction ............................................................................................................01

1.1 Chief Executive Foreword ................................................................................................................02

Section 2.0 - Overview of Regional Development Victoria ..........................................................03

2.1 Profile of Regional Development Victoria..........................................................................................04

2.2 Structure of Regional Development Victoria ....................................................................................05

2.3 Regional Development Advisory Committee ....................................................................................06

Section 3.0 - Year in Review ........................................................................................................07

3.1 Regional Development Victoria Programs and Services ..................................................................08

3.2 Highlights 2004/05 ..........................................................................................................................11

3.3 Where Are They Now? ....................................................................................................................20

3.4 Key Partners....................................................................................................................................22

3.5 Marketing Rural and Regional Victoria ............................................................................................23

3.6 Sponsorship–Herald Sun Tour 2004 ................................................................................................23

Section 4.0 - Other Relevant Information ....................................................................................24

4.1 Financial Performance ....................................................................................................................25

4.2 Compliance ....................................................................................................................................25

4.3 Legislation ......................................................................................................................................25

Section 5.0 - Grants and Output Targets ....................................................................................26

5.1 Regional Development Victoria Grants ............................................................................................27

5.2 Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Grants ..........................................................................31

5.3 Small Towns Development Fund Grants ..........................................................................................32

5.4 Natural Gas Extension Program Grants ..........................................................................................34

5.5 Output Targets and Performance ..................................................................................................35

5.6 Revenue and Expenses ..................................................................................................................36

Section 6.0 - Contact Information ..............................................................................................37

6.1 Regional Development Victoria – Contact Information ....................................................................38

The Hon. John Brumby MP

Minister for State and Regional Development

1 Treasury Place

Melbourne Vic 3000

Dear Minister,

Regional Development Victoria Annual Report 2004/05

I am pleased to submit to you, for presentation to Parliament, Regional Development Victoria’s Annual Report. The document outlines

the achievements of the organisation for the year ended 30 June 2005.

Yours sincerely,

Kerry Murphy

Chief Executive

Section 1.0 Introduction

I am pleased to present this Annual Report documenting the achievements of Regional Development Victoria for the

period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) is a statutory body established by the Government under the Regional Development

Victoria Act 2002. RDV works closely with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and other

Government departments and is responsible to the Minister for State and Regional Development.

The 2004/05 year marked the second full year of operation of RDV, which successfully promoted new economic and

investment opportunities in rural and regional Victoria and delivered initiatives and programs to strengthen regional

infrastructure, industries and communities.

Highlights for the year included:

• Attracting about $1 billion of new investment into rural and regional Victoria

• Creating 1,898 new jobs and a projected $395.9 million in new exports

• Implementing the Natural Gas Extension Program in rural and regional Victoria, with gas distribution companies

commencing major construction work of approximately 700 kilometres of pipeline to supply natural gas to 29 towns in

provincial Victoria - the biggest gas rollout in regional areas for many years

• Delivering Phase 2 of the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria marketing campaign. The campaign, developed in close

partnership with the State’s 48 rural and regional councils, encouraged Melburnians to consider provincial Victoria as a

place to live, work and invest

• Providing assistance through the business component of the Community Regional Industry Skills Program for 17 approved

projects worth about $2 million

• Establishing the $1 million Macpherson Smith Community Alliance in partnership with the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

• Delivering a suite of additional programs, including the Regional Business Investment Ready Program, Regional Investment

Initiative, Regional Innovation Clusters Program and Rural Community Infrastructure Development Grants Program.

I would like to thank the members of the Regional Development Advisory Committee who provided valuable advice and

feedback to the Minister throughout the year.

I would also like to thank all RDV staff for their contribution. I look forward to continuing to deliver on the Government’s

commitment to make provincial Victoria a better place to live, work and invest.

Kerry Murphy

Chief Executive

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1.1 Chief Executive Foreword

Section 2.0Overview ofRegionalDevelopmentVictoria

RDV is within the State and Regional Development portfolio

and works closely with the Department of Innovation,

Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD).

The Department objectives to which it contributes are:

• to position Victoria as an attractive destination for

investment that stimulates growth and development

across the State

• to work with the business sector and other key partners

to encourage and facilitate exports

• to facilitate and support innovation across Victorian

business and industry

• to foster a high performance and skilled workforce to

meet the needs of the economy

• to ensure sustained economic and industry development

of provincial Victoria.

The Government’s Growing Victoria Together objectives to

which RDV contributes are:

• creating more quality jobs and thriving, innovative

industries across Victoria

• growing and linking all of Victoria

• building friendly, confident and safe communities

• a fairer society that reduces disadvantage and respects

diversity.

RDV’s structure is aimed at achieving a strong and growing

rural and regional Victoria.

Economic and Community Programs

This Division acts as a conduit between business,

community and government at all levels. It also facilitates

access to government assistance to small towns, linking

economic and community development. It works with

other Government departments, including Department for

Victorian Communities, Department of Education and

Training and Department of Human Services on community

building and development initiatives.

Regional Co-ordination

This Division provides a co-ordinated and uniform approach

to program delivery for RDV. Regional Co-ordination

ensures a consistent RDV message is communicated,

provides a central source of information and delivers

a range of programs. It works with other government

departments, including Department for Victorian

Communities, Department of Education and Training,

and Department of Human Services on community building

and development initiatives. It also takes a lead role in

responding to requests from the Minister for State and

Regional Development, DIIRD and other agencies and

departments.

Regional Industries

This Division delivers a range of business assistance

services to industry and provides advice to Ministers

and the Government on matters related to the food,

resource-based industries and rural commerce sectors.

The Division’s activities focus on investment attraction,

improving the international competitiveness of companies

and enhancing Victoria’s export performance.RD

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Overview of Regional Development Victoria

2.1 Profile of Regional Development Victoria

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) was established in 2003 as a statutory body to lead the Government’s

commitment to the economic development of rural and regional Victoria. Its focus is on building stronger

economies, communities and infrastructure to create a prosperous and growing rural and regional Victoria.

Regional Infrastructure Development

The Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

facilitates investment, employment and export opportunities

in regional Victoria. It achieves this through the provision of

funding for capital works projects that support new industry

development, link transport infrastructure, improve tourism

facilities, and better link regional Victoria to new

opportunities in education and information and

communication technologies infrastructure.

2.2 Structure of RegionalDevelopment Victoria

Strategy and Regional Policy

This Division provides support and advice to the Minister for

State and Regional Development on policies, programs and

issues concerning community and economic development

in rural and regional Victoria.

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ment Victoria

Investment Attraction

Food Victoria

Food & Related Industries

Resourced Based Industries

Rural Commerce

Regional Manager North East Region

Rural Community Development Network

Secretary DIIRD

Regional Development Advisory Committee

Regional Industries

Chief Executive(Responsible to the Secretary,

DIIRD for the general conduct and management of RDV)

Minister - State & Regional Development

Office of Chief Executive

Community Projects

Regional Manager Western Region

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund

Natural Gas Extension Program

Small Towns Development Fund

Regional Manager South West Region

Policy & Program Development

Advisory Committee Secretariat

Regional Manager Gippsland Region

Marketing & Communications

Regional Co-ordination Activities

Business & Community Liaison

Regional Manager Northern Region

Economic and Community Programs


Strategy & Regional Policy Development

Regional Co-ordination

The Committee consists of the Chief Executive of RDV,

who is the Chair, and six members representing rural and

regional Victoria. Committee members were approved by

the Governor in Council on 2 September 2003.

The following rural and regional Victoria representatives,

offering wide-ranging backgrounds and expertise in

economic development, community development, finance

and marketing, are members of the Regional Development

Advisory Committee:

- Ms Jo Bourke - Ms Jenny Dawson

- Mr John G Brown - Mr Richard Elkington

- Mr Ed Coppe

During 2004/05, applications for the sixth, vacant position

on the Committee were sought from across the State

and then considered. The successful applicant will be

announced by the Minister for State and Regional

Development in 2005/06.

During 2004/05, the Committee met in Ararat, Bairnsdale,

Ballarat, Geelong, Horsham, Paynesville, Sale and

Warrnambool.

The Committee has continued to make a valuable

contribution to the Government’s regional development

agenda.

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Overview of Regional Development Victoria

Left to Right

• Joe Helper MP,

Parliamentary Secretary,

Regional Development

• Kerry Murphy,

Chair

• Jennifer Dawson

• Richard Elkington

• The Hon. John Brumby MP,

Minister for State and

Regional Development

• Jo Bourke

• Ed Coppe

• John G Brown.

2.3 Regional Development Advisory Committee

The Regional Development Victoria Act 2002 provides for the establishment of a Regional Development Advisory

Committee to advise the Government on matters relating to community and economic development in rural and

regional Victoria and provide support in promoting and growing rural and regional Victoria.

Section 3.0 Year in Review

Programs

Bushfire Recovery Fund

Funding through the Bushfire Recovery Fund continued to

be provided to assist in the rebuilding of fire-affected areas

of Victoria’s North Eastern and Gippsland regions.

Community Development Program

The program provides $1 million over four years to local

government and incorporated organisations to undertake

event-based projects that support community and economic

development. Funding of up to $10,000 was provided for

new event-based activities that foster community and

economic development in the nine interface local councils.

Community Capacity Building Initiative –

Macpherson Smith Community Alliance

RDV, in partnership with the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust,

made grants available to projects identified by rural

communities that were part of an earlier joint Community

Capacity Building Initiative. The Community Capacity

Building Initiative was a joint initiative between RDV and the

Department for Victorian Communities. RDV’s involvement

ceased on 30 June 2004.

Community Regional Industry Skills Program

The Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP)

addressed skills shortages and supported the development

of sustainable industries and jobs across rural and

regional Victoria. CRISP provides $10 million over four

years and is delivered by RDV and the Department for

Victorian Communities (DVC). Funding administered by

RDV addresses skills needs at enterprise level.

Funding administered by DVC addresses skills needs

through targeted, strategic partnerships at the local level.

Council and Regional Development Body Program

This program provided assistance to regional and interface

councils and development bodies to work together and

also for individual projects on a broader regional basis to

promote and facilitate economic development.

Grants, provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis, were also

available to individual councils for Priority Projects that

had an economic focus.

Drought Recovery

As part of the Government’s drought recovery activities,

Regional Development Victoria (in partnership with the

Department of Primary Industries) delivered the Rural

Community Infrastructure Development Grants Program.

This program was established to assist communities in

the north west of the State affected by poor harvests in

2004 which exacerbated the continuing impacts of the

recent drought.

Grow Your Business, Agenda for New

Manufacturing and Opening Doors

to Export Programs

Under these programs, assistance was provided to

companies to engage consultants to help them improve and

build their business in areas including export and innovation.

Living Regions, Living Suburbs Program

This program supported initiatives promoting economic and

social renewal in rural, regional and interface communities

throughout Victoria. Particular emphasis was placed on

local and regional projects that assisted the development of

a sound economic base through the social and economic

revitalisation of individual communities.

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Year in Review

3.1 Regional Development Victoria Programs and Services

Programs and services delivered by Regional Development Victoria (RDV) in 2004/05.


Funding of $70 million was allocated from the Regional

Infrastructure Development Fund to extend the reticulated

natural gas network. In 2004/05, it was announced that gas

distribution companies, Multinet Gas, SP AusNet and

Envestra would supply natural gas to 29 towns in provincial

Victoria and within interface council areas, and major

construction works commenced with approximately

700 kilometres of pipeline to be laid over the next two to

three years to supply the 29 towns.

Regional Business Investment Ready Program

The Regional Business Investment Ready Program is a

three-year program designed to assist in the attraction of a

greater flow of capital into provincial Victoria. The program

is aimed at increasing the amount of investment in regional

Victoria by delivering a range of tailored and structured

services for regional business owners seeking to grow, and

local government and regional authorities seeking capital for

infrastructure development.

Regional Commercialisation Pilot Program

RDV, in conjunction with the Office of Science and

Technology, delivered the program in Victoria’s Northern,

North Eastern and Western regions. It involved a series of

workshops to help individuals and businesses develop

business cases to commercialise new products.


The fund facilitated investment, employment and export

opportunities in regional Victoria through the provision of

infrastructure funding for capital works projects with a focus

on industry development, transport, tourism, education and

information and communication technologies.

Regional Innovation Clusters Program

The program assisted businesses to create jobs and drive

investment in rural and regional Victoria by supporting

growth clusters.

Regional Investment Initiative

This initiative was designed to attract new investment

to rural and regional Victoria and to help regional and

interface councils capitalise on investment opportunities.

It had two key components – the Business Investment

Initiative and the Council Investment Initiative.

Rural Leadership and Community Events Program

This program assisted communities, including those

affected by drought, by encouraging and strengthening

leadership, creative skills and capacities essential to their

social, economic growth and development.


A sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development

Fund to help small towns undertake practical economic and

community development initiatives. The fund targeted

projects that aimed to create new opportunities for

economic growth via economic and social infrastructure.

Trade Fairs and Missions Program

RDV helped companies develop export markets in

15 different countries, focussing on new markets including

India and China.

Your Town Your Bank

RDV delivered the program through its network of Rural

Community Development Officers, providing grants of up to

$20,000 on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis, for feasibility

studies into establishing local banking or other financial

services facilities.

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Services

Economic and Community Development

RDV assisted in the co-ordinated delivery of Government

programs, services and resources in rural and regional

Victoria and acted as a conduit between governments at

all levels, business and the community.

Export Assistance and Trade Fairs

Regular seminars were conducted in key regional areas,

and companies were assisted to visit overseas trade fairs to

establish contacts and build networks to capture

opportunities and promote exports.

Industry Development and Investment Facilitation

RDV delivered a range of services to assist the

development of strategic industries in rural and regional

Victoria. RDV’s Regional Industries Division had a particular

industry sector focus on:

• the food processing industry and related supply chain

sectors (including stockfeed, agricultural machinery and

equipment, irrigation and water storage equipment)

• industries that add value to the State’s natural resources

(including forests and plantation-based industries,

furnishing and building products, minerals extraction

and processing and energy generation).

The Division works closely with the food industry to

increase its international competitiveness and develop

export opportunities.

Rural Community Development Officers

Rural Community Development Officers (RCDOs) worked

from nine rural locations and liaised directly with councils,

businesses, community groups and individuals. RCDOs

facilitated access to Government assistance to small towns,

linking economic facilitation with community development.

In addition, a liaison officer worked in a similar role to the

RCDOs in the interface councils.

Small Business Advice and Referral Services

A range of services were provided to rural and regional

small businesses, including information on starting,

expanding and managing a business, referral to specialist

service providers, access to enterprise development

programs and investment facilitation assistance.

Regional Networks (Victorian Business Centres)

RDV was widely accessible through Victorian Business

Centres located across Victoria in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong,

Mildura, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

They provided a first point of contact for businesses and

communities seeking to access Government services.

RDV staff were also located in Ararat, Bairnsdale, Colac,

Echuca, Horsham, Seymour, Warragul and Warrnambool.

Regional offices actively marketed and promoted business

and economic development programs and services to the

following key local stakeholders:

• local government/development associations and service

authorities

• industry/business associations

• community groups

• local businesses

• relevant State and Federal government departments.

Regional offices also worked closely with other agencies

to maintain a whole-of-government approach to service

provision. They provided information and referral services

for business, through collocation with other Government

and business providers, including:

• Area Consultative Committees

• AusIndustry

• Austrade

• Australian Taxation OfficeRD

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Year in Review

• Department of Primary Industries

• Department for Victorian Communities

• Industry Capability Network

• TradeStart

• Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Other local economic development agencies.

3.2 Highlights 2004/05

Economic and CommunityDevelopment

Regional Population Growth

RDV delivered Phase 2 of the Make it Happen in Provincial

Victoria marketing campaign. This contributed to the

Government’s aim to increase the State’s population to at

least 6 million by 2025 and achieve regional population

growth of 1.25 per cent per annum by 2006.

Phase 2 included $2.85 million for a three-year marketing

campaign and $2.85 million for a new Provincial Economic

Partnerships (PEP) initiative, designed to equip regional

councils with the skills and tools they need to capture

economic and investment opportunities.

In 2004/05, PEP funded a range of projects, including:

• Metropolitan radio campaigns (Goulburn Murray region,

Wimmera Mallee region, North East region, Gippsland

region)

• Expos (Great South Coast region, Grampians Pyrenees

region)

• Economic Development Kits (Indigo Shire, Towong Shire,

Rural City of Wangaratta).

Bushfire Recovery

Grant payments from the Bushfire Recovery Fund totalling

$650,516 assisted fire-affected regions of Victoria’s North

East and Gippsland.

Case Study 1Provincial Economic Partnerships program - GrampiansPyrenees region expoThe phones hardly stopped ringing in the Grampians Pyrenees followingthe region’s Redirect Your Energy expo at Federation Square in November2004. The three Councils that comprise the Grampians Pyrenees region –Ararat, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees – used a $30,000 ProvincialEconomic Partnerships program grant to help fund the two-day expo,which included a land giveaway. The innovative campaign generatedstrong interest in the Melbourne media with an equivalent advertisingvalue of $250,000 that included an article in The Age followed by a storyon Channel 7’s Today Tonight program that aired nationally. More than1,000 enquiries from across Australia about the land giveaway werereceived with further enquiries about jobs and property prices. Threeblocks of land that the Pyrenees Shire wanted to sell were sold in twodays and strong interest was also received from property developerslooking at land for residential subdivision.

Case Study 2Paynesville Community BankA grant to the East Gippsland Shire Council and Paynesville CommunityBank Steering Committee funded half of a feasibility study into theestablishment of a community bank at Paynesville. Unlike most otherstudies for the establishment of a community bank which are from townsthat had banks and lost them, Paynesville is a small but rapidly growingcommunity that has never had a bank. The establishment of a local bankwill mean business owners will no longer drive 30 minutes to do theirbanking and tourists and locals will have access to local banking facilities.

Case Study 3Wyndham Street Commercial Precinct - SheppartonA Living Regions Living Suburbs grant to the City of Greater Sheppartonwill help redevelop part of the historic Shepparton Butter Factory site onthe fringe of the CBD. Next to the successful Victoria Park Lake precinct,the project will rejuvenate an area that has lain idle for many years andwill link the lake to the CBD as a fully planned city gateway. The projectincludes the installation of underground power, drainage, street furnitureand landscaping and will prepare the remainder of the site for furtherredevelopment.

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Community Development Program (CDP)

Grants from the CDP totalled $130,995 in 2004/05, and

supported events including launches of farmers’ markets

and community facilities, a weekend fun run, shopping

precinct festivals, youth celebrations and business

week activities.

Community Capacity Building Initiative –

Macpherson Smith Community Alliance

RDV, in partnership with the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust,

established the $1 million Macpherson Smith Community

Alliance (MSCA) with RDV and the trust each providing

$500,000 over two years. The purpose of the MSCA is

to make grants available to projects identified by rural

communities that were part of an earlier joint Community

Capacity Building Initiative. In 2004/05, 26 grants totalling

$500,000 were approved.

Drought Recovery

Regional Development Victoria (in partnership with the

Department of Primary Industries) delivered the Rural

Community Infrastructure Development Grants Program.

Grants of $400,000 were provided to each of the following

municipalities: the Shires of Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern

Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack; and the

Rural Cities of Horsham, Mildura and Swan Hill.

The program is funding community infrastructure projects

which have a combined economic and social benefit,

such as maintaining sporting and community facilities,

streetscape works and upgrading public infrastructure.

Regional Industry Development

Investment Attraction

Regional Development Victoria contributed to the attraction

of about $1 billion of new facilitated investment in rural and

regional Victoria.

New investment in regional Victoria in 2004/05 accounted

for more than half of all new investment attracted to the

State, which is an excellent result for regional communities

and a clear indication of the importance of effective

partnerships between councils, industry and RDV.

Along with this new investment, 1,898 new jobs will be

created and a projected $395.9 million in new exports will

be delivered. Total regional investment for the past financial

year was well in excess of the target of $600 million,

and new job creation also comfortably exceeded the

target of 1,000 jobs.

Investment has come from a broad range of industry sectors,

including food processing $385 million, downstream mineral

processing $252 million, agribusiness $151 million, energy

$130 million and financial services $70 million.

Case Study 4Flowerdale Link ProjectIn December 2004 Murrindindi Shire Council completed the FlowerdaleLink Project with funding from the Living Regions Living SuburbsProgram. The project provided better community facilities and socialconnection for Flowerdale and the surrounding communities ofHazeldene and Silver Creek. The project included a new six-kilometrepedestrian path linking the three communities, two new picnic areaswith car access, outdoor furniture and toilet facilities and a majorupgrade of the Flowerdale Community Hall.

Case Study 5Ceramet Technologies Pty Ltd - BallaratA Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP) grant andBusiness Assistance Program (BAP) grant is helping engineeringcompany Ceramet Technologies to build a state-of-the-art $13.5 millionmetal injection moulding facility, which will create 90 new jobs inBallarat. The BAP funding is helping the company fund relocation andestablishment costs for the new facility. The CRISP funding helped thecompany recruit and train up to 90 professional, technical and supportstaff. The new facility will focus on making light-weight components forthe automotive and aerospace industries.

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Year in Review

Examples of significant regional investments and jobs

secured in this financial year include:

• Bendigo Mining (Kangaroo Flat), $215 million, 550 jobs

• Almonds Australia (Robinvale), $150 million, 90 jobs

• Bendigo Bank (Bendigo), $70 million, 315 jobs

• Southcorp Wines (Mildura), $59 million, 70 jobs

• Perseverance Corporation (Fosterville), $24 million

• Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm Pty Ltd (Bendigo),

$11 million, 100 jobs

• MasterFoods Foods Pty Ltd (Wodonga), $50 million

• Tatura Milk (Tatura), $10 million, 18 jobs

• Campbell’s Soup (Lemnos), $8.5 million

• Ceramet Technologies (Ballarat), $13.5 million, 90 jobs

• MasterFoods Snackfoods (Ballarat), $10 million

• Quicksilver (Geelong and Torquay), $6.5 million, 50 jobs

• Ripcurl (Torquay), $5 million, 40 jobs

• Thornton Engineering (Geelong), $5 million, 25 jobs

• Midfield Meat (Warrnambool), $3.5 million, 50 jobs

• GlaxoSmithKline (Port Fairy), $20 million

• Hallmark Oaks (Cann River), $1.3 million, 15 jobs.

Food Strategy

The Victorian Government’s $3 million strategic action plan

for the food processing industry along the supply chain -

Next Generation Food Strategy - was launched in

October 2004.

Involving over 170 stakeholders, the strategy was developed

with industry and contains 45 initiatives across seven key areas:

• Sustainability

• Product integrity

• Export

• Industry and regional development

• Innovation

• Education, training & careers

• Promoting excellence.

Export

RDV contributed to DIIRD’s export focus with emphasis on

new markets including India and China, and the provision of

assistance to 324 companies in the food, beverages and

resources industries through the Department’s Trade Fairs

and Missions program. This assistance will help these

companies develop export markets in 15 different countries

in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, India and

the Middle East.

Case Study 6Raise the Ripple - InverlochA Small Towns Development Fund grant helped the seaside township ofInverloch construct a full-size replica of Ripple, the historic ketch (sailingvessel) on the foreshore close to the main shopping area. The ketch onceserviced the area for 40 years, transporting freight and passengers.The Raise the Ripple project, an action of the Inverloch Tourism DestinationDevelopment Plan, developed under the guidance of Tourism Victoria, willprovide a significant point of interest boosting tourism to the area.

Case Study 7Kalkee Community CentreOnce a small thriving community, demographic changes and populationshifts resulted in the decline of community infrastructure in Kalkee. A SmallTowns Development Fund grant will help provide a Community Centre thatwill house a conference centre, catering facilities, an amenities block anda number of smaller rooms for various sporting and community purposes.Located on the Recreation Reserve, the centre will provide a venue forcommunity engagement and business/client exchange. Farmers andagribusiness operators will have a venue to interact with their client basethrough forums and information days.

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Community Regional Industry Skills Program

The $10 million, four-year CRISP is a key component of

the Victorian Government’s commitment to promoting

employment growth and economic development across

Victoria. There are two components of this program: CRISP

Business (delivered by RDV) and CRISP Communities

(delivered by the Department for Victorian Communities).

In 2004/05, grants totalling about $2 million for 17 projects

were approved to help companies facing skill shortages.

One of these projects was to assist the Planning Institute of

Australia to overcome the shortage of planners in regional

Victoria, through a $160,000 grant. The assistance

provided through CRISP Business has contributed to new

investment and job creation.

Commercialisation

In 2004, DIIRD, acting through its Commercialisation and

Cluster Division and RDV, conducted a Pilot Regional

Commercialisation Program in Victoria’s Northern, North

Eastern and Western Regions. Services were delivered under

contract by a specialist provider. A total of 46 businesses

took part in one-day diagnostic workshops and 25

businesses were selected to participate in two intensive

seven-week programs of business-case building, culminating

in presentations to an independent expert panel.

Grow Your Business, Agenda for New

Manufacturing and Opening Doors

to Export Programs

In 2004/05, a total of 126 individual Grow Your Business,

Agenda for New Manufacturing and Opening Doors to Export

grants valued at over $1.2 million were paid to businesses

and organisations in rural and regional Victoria. Regional

Victoria received 39 Agenda for New Manufacturing grants

valued at over $490,000, 79 Grow Your Business Grants

valued at $646,000 and eight Opening Doors to Export

grants valued at $135,000.

Regional Business Investment Ready Program

The Victorian Government’s Regional Business Investment

Ready Program (RBIRP) was launched in March 2005.

The first initiative delivered as part of the RBIRP Business

Stream was an information seminar on debt and equity

funding, which was broadcast simultaneously to

22 locations across Victoria to an audience of regional

business people. In 2004/05, substantial development

of the program was undertaken. Major elements of the

program will be delivered to rural and regional Victoria

by investment professionals in 2005/06.

Case Study 8Jamieson Small Towns ProjectA Small Towns Development Fund grant contributed toward the upgradeof Gerrans Park in the town’s main street, streetscape improvementsand a significant upgrade of the historic Jamieson Hall. The hall upgradewill provide the community with a facility that can be used for a range offunctions, once again connecting and involving the residents in thetown’s social and artistic life.

Case Study 9Loch Recreational Facilities The township of Loch has reinvented itself as a boutique village forconnoisseurs of food, collectables, arts and craft. A Small TownsDevelopment Fund grant for works that will connect the recreationalreserve with the main street will help its continued growth as a communityand tourist hub. The project, which links the recreational reserve via anunderpass, will also give residents improved safety and security.

Case Study 10Australian Eatwell Pty Ltd - DonaldA decision to merge two Melbourne-based businesses – a soupcompany with a vegetable burger company – led the owner of AustralianEatwell to investigate relocation options. With the assistance of anEnterprise Development Grant, Donald was chosen. The move hasresulted in new employment opportunities in provincial Victoria and ina number of benefits for the company, including access to a reliableworkforce, proximity to two major highways and access to high-qualitylocal produce such as lentils and chickpeas.

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Regional Innovation Clusters Program

Delivery commenced of the $2.9 million Regional Innovation

Clusters Program, a three-year initiative to develop and

strengthen regional clusters. In 2004/05, two clusters

successfully commenced operation; funding was approved

for the development of four clusters; and funding was

approved for feasibility studies to examine the potential of

another six new clusters.

Regional Investment Initiative

This program commenced in 2004/05 to support projects

that will attract new investment, assist in retaining and

expanding existing businesses and improve the business

practices of firms in their regions. This program is available

to regional businesses, regional councils and interface

councils.

A total of 40 projects were supported with a grant value in

excess of $1.6 million. The grants were provided for a variety

of investment-related projects such as investment opportunity

studies, economic development strategies, innovation

workshops, infrastructure assessment studies and

business workshops.



During 2004/05, the Government announced funding

contribution from RIDF towards three projects:

• Port of Portland Multi-Purpose Ship Loader and

Associated Infrastructure ($500,000)

• Bendigo Rural Exhibition Centre ($2.5 million)

• Bendigo Bank Civic Space and Public Infrastructure

($3 million).

A number of RDIF-funded projects were completed during

the year, including:

• Class A reclaimed water treatment plant at Hamilton

• Creation of a Centre for Research and Training in

Environmental Science at Wodonga

• Eureka Centre Precinct Development, Ballarat

• Port of Sale Redevelopment

• Geelong Technology Precinct.

Further projects were under consideration for funding

as at 30 June 2005 and may be funded in the 2005/06

financial year.

Case Study 11Border Express - Barnawartha NorthA Regional Investment Initiative grant helped Border Express relocateto Logic Park in Barnawartha North. Border Express is the Park’s firsttenant, involving an investment of $5 million and the creation of 10new jobs. RDV assisted in the overall development of Logic Park,a $90 million project creating 360 new full-time jobs.

Case Study 12Ballarat Information and Communications Technology centre A grant through the Regional Innovation Clusters Program will helpBallarat continue to build as a leading regional Information andCommunications Technology (ICT) centre. The funding will help buildand strengthen relationships between Ballarat’s ICT sector and the city’sother business sectors, education providers and R&D organisations.The City of Ballarat will use the funding to develop a mapping andfeasibility study for the long-term growth of the Ballarat ICT Cluster.

Case Study 13Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm Pty Ltd - BendigoHazeldene’s Chicken Farm is a family-owned business on the outskirtsof Bendigo employing approximately 420 people. A grant under theCommunity Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP) will assist in the$11million redevelopment of the company’s manufacturing facility whichwill create 100 new jobs. The CRISP grant will address regional skillsshortages by off-setting training costs incurred for its additional100 staff.

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In 2004/05 a major focus of the RIDF was the implementation

of the Natural Gas Extension Program (NGEP). During the

year, it was announced that gas distribution companies,

Multinet Gas, SP AusNet and Envestra, would supply

natural gas to 29 towns in country Victoria and interface

municipalities, the biggest gas rollout in regional areas for

many years. Major construction works commenced in

2004/05, with approximately 700 kilometres of pipeline to be

laid over the next two to three years to supply the 29 towns.


The $20 million Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) is

a program funded through the RIDF. In 2004/05, 84 STDF

projects were funded, providing small rural towns

opportunities for economic growth via development of

socio-economic infrastructure. The STDF provided funds in

partnership with regional councils on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

STDF projects funded in 2004/05 included:

• Beulah GPS Base Station ($15,000)

• Yarram Tourist Centre and Arts Space ($15,000)

• Walwa Community Centre ($100,000)

• Mortlake Industrial Estate – Stage Two ($200,000).

Strategy and Regional Policy

During 2004/05, support and advice continued to be

provided to the Minister for State and Regional Development

on policies, programs and issues concerning economic and

community development in rural and regional Victoria.

RDV worked with the Victorian Competition and Efficiency

Commission and across Government to consider

opportunities to enhance the regulatory environment for

regional economic development. Other significant policy

projects undertaken included an examination of population

and employment in provincial Victoria, and preliminary work to

benchmark the business costs in rural and regional Victoria.

RDV also worked with other State and Territory governments

through:

• the Standing Committee on Regional Development

• Victoria’s provincial cities through the Regional Cities

Victoria group

• other stakeholder groups – to expand co-operation on

regional investment, infrastructure, attraction and retention

of skilled labour, skilled migration and research in Australia.

Support was also provided to the Minister’s Regional

Development Advisory Committee, and for Community

Cabinet meetings held in regional Victoria.

Case Study 14Rip Curl - TorquayA Community Regional Industry Skills Program grant will help iconic surfclothing and equipment manufacturer Rip Curl train and recruit 40 newemployees and establish its new warehouse and global head office inTorquay. The company’s new total investment of $6 million will helpincrease exports and result in an increase in the pool of skilled labourin the region, which will benefit the surf clothing industry as a whole.

Case Study 15Ear Associates Pty Ltd - TraralgonEar Associates is an innovative service company providing independentreporting and analysis services to audiologists and hearing devicemanufacturers through EARtrak, a unique system developed by thecompany. A First Step Exporter Program helped the company attend ahearing industry trade show in Germany as well as visit prospectivecustomers in the UK, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.The company made significant sales in the German market with a full cycleof several thousand surveys returned. Enquiry was also received from theUSA. This assistance has given Ear Associates a substantial boost as wellas raising the international profile of the Australian hearing industry.

Case Study 16SIAL 2005 - Food and Wine Trade FairSIAL 2005 was one of the largest international trade exhibitions inChina for food, beverages, wines and spirits. A grant through RegionalDevelopment Victoria assisted the attendance of 14 companies to SIAL2005 in Shanghai in May. The Trade Fair attracted 800 exhibitors and anestimated 20,000 visitors, with Victorian participants estimating about$16.6 million in sales over the next two years.

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Case Study 17Goulburn Valley Fruit Cluster - SheppartonA grant from the Regional Innovation Clusters Program will enable the Goulburn Valley Fruit Cluster at Shepparton to engage an export facilitator and developand implement a global export strategy for the cluster. The Goulburn Valley Fruit Cluster is made up of more than 40 fruit growers, three of Australia's leadingstone fruit, apple and pear packing operations, packaging suppliers, transport companies, agribusiness suppliers and higher education and researchinstitutions. The Goulburn Valley Fruit Cluster currently obtains one-third of its sales revenue – about $7 million – from export markets, which are critical to itslong-term success. Under this initiative, the group will fully integrate its marketing activities between export and domestic markets and further develop exportsales, particularly in key Asian markets.

Case Study 18Provincial Economic Partnerships program - Strathbogie, Channel 9, Today programChannel 9’s Today program showcased Strathbogie Shire as a great place to live, work, and invest with the support of a PEP grant. Channel 9’s popularbreakfast program hosted four live crosses for the weather bulletins from various locations within the Shire, including Collingrove Stud in Nagambie, whosestallions include former Melbourne Cup winner Jeune. The coverage helped to promote the region to a national audience. Council also developed a new pageon its website to provide contact details and information for interested viewers.

Case Study 19Glenelg Industrial Land Master PlanA Regional Investment Initiative grant to the Glenelg Shire enabled it to undertake a major study to identify the location of the region’s future industrial land.The project focused on identifying sites with easy or reduced cost access to road, rail, gas, power, water and waste water infrastructure as well as sufficientbuffer distance from future residential development. This will enable the Council to respond proactively to investment enquiries, currently representing over $1billion worth of projects which could lead to over 500 new jobs in areas including mineral sands processing, timber processing and advanced manufacturing.

Case Study 20Industry Capability Mission - IndiaAn Industry Capability Mission to India, led by RDV during February 2005, assisted 11 building, infrastructure and other export-oriented companies visit thefast-growing Indian market. The mission focussed on supply opportunities for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010 and export development acrossthe sector in New Delhi and Chennai. Participants have identified potential business opportunities of about $30 million. The Mission also helped raiseawareness of Victorian capabilities to the Indian market and has resulted in return visits by key Indian organisations.

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As part of its commitment to review and report on the effectiveness and

outcomes of its programs, in 2004/05 RDV undertook an evaluation of

selected RIDF sub-programs, including the Stock Over/Underpass Road

Safety Program and the Dairy Power Infrastructure Upgrade Program.

The evaluation of the Programs was commissioned by RDV and conducted

by Impact Consulting Group. The evaluations included focus groups and

surveys with participating farmers and interviews with core stakeholders.

Stock Over/Underpass Road Safety ProgramThrough the RIDF, the Victorian Government has provided funding for the

Stock Over/Underpass Road Safety (SOURS) Program.

Through the SOURS Program, the Government provides a grant of up to

$20,000 towards the cost of installation of a stock over or underpass,

where farmers regularly cross stock over roads. Since the Program was

announced in August 2000, 290 underpasses have been constructed,

with funding approval provided for over 100 additional projects.

The Program is administered through a partnership approach between

RDV and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF).

The four core objectives of the SOURS Program are to:

• Improve Road Safety

• Improve workplace safety for farmers and their employees

• Improve farm efficiency and productivity

• Remove impediments to expansion of dairy farms and growth of

the industry.

Evaluation findings

The evaluation found that by removing stock from roads, there was a

dramatic improvement in workplace safety:

• 9% of farmers surveyed reported a road accident related to their stock

crossing in the 12 months prior to the installation of the underpass.

No farmer reported an accident since the installation of their underpass.

The evaluation found that by removing stock from roads, underpasses

improved road safety:

• Local Government representatives confirmed that underpasses improved

road safety, both directly through taking stock off roads, and also as a

result of improved road surface conditions (removal of mud and manure

from the road and less degradation of sealed surfaces).

• School Bus safety has been a particular area of improvement that was

previously a major concern for farmers and rural communities.

The evaluation found that installation of an underpass improved farm

efficiency and productivity:

• On average, installation of an underpass saved participating farmers

6 labour hours per week.

This saved time was generally reapplied to value-adding activity.

• 100% of surveyed farmers agreed that the underpass made the herd

easier to manage. More than 85% agreed that an underpass made

their farm more viable for dairying and enabled them to use their land

more productively.

• More than 70% of surveyed farmers agreed that the underpass made

their operation more profitable.

• Underpasses allow for increased grazing time and improved utilisation

of pasture, reduced farm maintenance requirements, and improved

milking efficiency.

• Underpasses also have a positive impact on animal health (and therefore

productivity) via reductions in animal stress, and reductions in foot

problems and heat stress that were previously caused by the bunching

of cows before crossing roads.

The evaluation found that installation of an underpass facilitates the

expansion of dairy farms:

• On average, farmers who installed an underpass increased their land

holdings from 514 hectares to 574 hectares. In focus groups, farmers

believed that underpasses were both a driver and enabler of expansion

of dairy farms.

In addition to demonstrating that the SOURS Program is meeting its

objectives, the evaluation found that the Program was providing additional

social benefits. Farmers overwhelmingly believed that the underpasses

provide peace of mind. The risks involved in crossing stock across busy

roads created stress and uncertainty for farmers. Fear of accidents and

litigation was also alleviated through the installation of an underpass.

In addition to this personal wellbeing, underpasses also improved the

social environment. Farmers reported that neighbours and road users

were more “friendly”, as traffic delays caused by cows were eliminated,

as was the mud and manure previously left on the road.

In summary, the evaluation found that an underpass contributed to road

and workplace safety, farm efficiency and productivity, industry expansion

and personal wellbeing, providing a positive return for the investment by

both Government and farmers.

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Year in Review

REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND (RIDF)

Dairy Power Infrastructure Upgrade ProgramThrough the RIDF the Victorian Government provided funding for the

Dairy Power Infrastructure Upgrade (DPIU) Program.

Initially scheduled to close on 30 June 2003, the DPIU Program was

extended to 31 October 2004. Under the Program, the Government

provided a grant equal to 50% of the farmer’s costs of upgrading their

power supply infrastructure from Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) or

Single Phase to Three Phase.

The Program was administered through a partnership approach between

RDV and the electricity distribution companies, who also made a contribution

to the project cost in accordance with their regulatory obligations.

Over 260 dairy farmers participated in the Program in its four years of

operation.

The four core objectives of the DPIU Program were to:

• Encourage and facilitate investment in new technology and equipment

• Improve farm efficiency and productivity

• Remove impediments to expansion of dairy farms and growth of

the industry

• Improve the operation and capacity of the electricity distribution network

in dairying areas of regional Victoria.

Evaluation findings

The finding of the evaluation supported empirical evidence collected by

RDV that:

• Farmers previously operating on SWER systems generally upgraded to

Three Phase to better operate existing equipment or to enable future

investment in new equipment and technology, and

• Farmers previously operating on Single Phase systems often upgraded to

Three Phase as part of larger investment in their farm. The average

additional investment by farmers upgrading from Single Phase to Three

Phase power was $106,776. This was made up of investment in new

equipment such as new dairies, milk vats, irrigation pumps, feed systems

and waste management systems. Farmers mostly agreed that this

investment was either driven or enabled by the improved power supply.

The evaluation found that the Program encourages and facilitates

investment in new technology and equipment.

• Farmers strongly agreed that the upgrade provided them with an

opportunity to adopt new technology, both now and into the future.

• Based on extrapolation of survey results, “flow on” expenditure on new

dairying equipment as a result of the power upgrades is likely to have

been many millions of dollars, providing additional economic benefits to

local manufacturers.

The evaluation found that the Program improves farm efficiency and

productivity:

• The power upgrades enabled improved efficiency and farm management

via the purchase and operation of new dairying equipment. For example,

Three Phase power enabled the operation of larger milk vats for

additional storage, requiring only one milk pickup each day and thereby

eliminating the extra charges for second pickups.

• Installation and operation of irrigation equipment was also enabled by

the power upgrades, improving the productivity of farms.

• Farmers strongly agreed that the upgrades improved the operation and

viability of their farm.

The evaluation found that the Program removes impediments to expansion

of dairy farms and growth of the industry:

• The Program has been successful in removing a major impediment for

many dairy farmers – insufficient power to operate new technology.

The significant “flow on” investment as a result of the upgrades

demonstrates this.

• The upgrades enable future investment and expansion by dairy farmers.

The evaluation found that the Program improves the operation and

capacity of the electricity distribution network in dairying areas of regional

Victoria:

• Farmers agreed that the upgrades had improved the capacity and the

reliability of their supply. Many noted that previously insufficient capacity

caused outages and other difficulties when running the dairy, which had

significant negative impacts on milking and output.

In summary, the evaluation found that the power upgrades have been,

and will continue to be an important mechanism to enable Victorian dairy

farmers to invest in equipment and implement new technology, thereby

improving the operation and viability of their farm.

Natural Gas Extension Program(A sub-program of the RIDF)

The biggest roll-out of natural gas connections in country Victoria since

the 1970s will provide a $427.6 million economic boost for Provincial

Victoria over the next 20 years. A KPMG report reviewing the economic

impact of connecting natural gas to the communities found the program

would generate around 395 new full-time equivalent jobs each year over

the next 20 years. Connecting to natural gas from LPG saves an average

household between $600 and $1200 a year. A medium business can save

up to $30,000 a year. For some large businesses that annual saving can

be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Avonmore Estate Winery

Avonmore Estate Winery produces a boutique organic

bio-dynamic wine range from its vineyard at Elmore near

Bendigo. A Grow Your Business grant helped the winery

develop a website with an online purchasing facility. This led

to increased domestic exposure and the ability to showcase

niche organic products globally. In March 2005 Avonmore

Estate made its first export sale to Canada via an order

received on its website. It has since received a second

order from Canada, displayed product at a Trade Fair at

Ottawa and Toronto in Canada and negotiated its first

sale with Thailand – all of this without having to leave

the country.

Flavorite Hydroponic

Warragul company Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes Pty. Ltd.,

produces and packs its own high-quality hydroponic

tomatoes as well as packing tomatoes for a number of

other growers around the district. It received a Timber

Towns Investment Support Package to extend and

streamline its facilities. The new works have now been

commissioned and the whole farm is fully operational.

Flavorite is reaping the benefits of this large investment

with increased production. The organisation employed

145 people in 2004 and expects this to be about 200 by

December 2005.

Safetech

Moe company Safetech is an Australian materials handling

innovator, designer and manufacturer. The company

worked with RDV to streamline its operations – identifying

priority steps in the design, manufacturing and distribution

process and eliminating unproductive areas. Safetech has

now moved into larger premises with manufacturing

organised around lean manufacturing principles. It has

continued both strong sales growth and increasing

employment numbers in the business.

La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga Campus

In April 2004, La Trobe University received a RIDF Grant of

$1.5 million toward the $5 million Centre for Research and

Training in Environmental Science at Wodonga (the Centre).

This grant was featured in the 2003/2004 RDV annual

report. LaTrobe University completed construction of the

Centre in May 2005. One hundred and fifty-nine contractors

worked on the construction of the Centre, with a peak of

55 contractors on site on any particular day. The Centre

combines the Research Laboratories of the Murray Darling

Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) and the Science

Teaching Laboratories of LaTrobe University.

Through combining the two facilities, additional cooperation

and collaboration has resulted. MDFRC staff provide guest

lectures at the University, and provide joint seminars with

the University faculty. The University estimate that up to

40 ongoing jobs have been created as a result of the

building and operation of the Centre.

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Year in Review

3.3 Where Are They Now?

This section provides a snapshot of how past RDV assistance, programs and services have helped businesses and

organisations grow and develop.

Earth Releaf Retail Nurseries and Go Native

Wholesale Nursery

A meeting with the Traralgon Victorian Business Centre in

2002 helped Keith Grey, a Berry Creek accountant, develop

a business strategy to pursue his passion for horticulture,

leaving behind ledgers and balance sheets in exchange

for plants and potting mix. Armed with small business

information and referral services provided by the VBC,

Earth Releaf Retail Nurseries became a reality in late 2002.

In 2003 a wholesale nursery followed, and by August 2003

Earth Releaf was trading in Meeniyan, Trafalgar and

Leongatha. In its first year of operation, in 2003 Earth

Releaf, operating retail nurseries and cafés, was a finalist

in the retail section of the Gippsland Business Awards.

Keith’s nurseries provide local tourist information and his

vision is to combine Earth Releaf’s growth with attracting

more tourists into the Gippsland area.

Blood on the Southern Cross – Sovereign Hill,

Ballarat

Sovereign Hill’s spectacular Blood on the Southern Cross

outdoor sound and light show last year hosted its

one-millionth visitor.

The state-of-the-art show – which tells the story of the

1854 Eureka Rebellion – has attracted up to 90,000

visitors a year since opening in 1993.

In that time, the show has been instrumental in transforming

thousands of day visits into thousands of overnight stays,

helping grow tourism, which, in turn, has brought extra

investment and job opportunities to Ballarat and the region.

Blood on the Southern Cross received a $2 million overhaul

in 2002 with the help of a $1.2 million grant from the

Victorian Government's Regional Infrastructure

Development Fund.

The investment helped grow annual show visitor numbers

from 86,000 in 2003, to 96,000 in 2004, cementing

Sovereign Hill as the most successful man-made regional

tourism attraction in Victoria, with more than 460,000

visitors each year.

The new show has been pivotal in the continued growth

of the tourism sector in and around Ballarat with figures

showing it has a direct regional income of $6 million a year,

generating 1400 bed nights a week.

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3.4 Key Partners

Regional Development Victoria (RDV)Key Partners

Local Government and Local Economic

Development Bodies

RDV worked in close partnerships with the 48 regional

councils, nine interface councils and various local economic

development bodies in facilitating economic, infrastructure

and socio-economic development. The support from RDV

extended from facilitating investment attraction,

infrastructure and industrial estate development to

supporting communities recovering from natural disaster

and industry restructure.

Office of Small Business Commissioner

The Office of Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) is

dedicated to promoting a competitive and fair operating

environment for small business. RDV regional offices

provided strategic support to the Small Business

Commissioner in promoting the services of the OSBC

and assisted in business networking.

Other State Government Departments

RDV worked with other Government Departments on

various initiatives.

Commonwealth and other State Governments

RDV is a member of the Standing Committee on Regional

Development that comprises representatives of the

Commonwealth and State governments and the Australian

Local Government Association. The committee considered

a wide range of regional issues and matters including

economic, investment, skills and community development.

TradeStart

In partnership with the Commonwealth Government’s

TradeStart, RDV delivered export services of the New

Exporters Development Program to small and medium

enterprises in south-west Victoria.

Industry Associations

RDV regional offices worked closely with all key local

business networks, associations and industry bodies.

Roles and activities included participation as committee

member, awards judging, mentoring and facilitating access

to RDV assistance programs and services.

Community Organisations

RDV supported and partnered a wide-ranging and diverse

group of community organisations across rural and regional

Victoria. These partnerships helped strengthen communities

through the delivery of infrastructure projects, the

Macpherson Smith Community Alliance and the Your Town

Your Bank program. They have also made a considerable

contribution to specific events such as fire and drought

recovery initiatives and to ongoing community capacity

building and development initiatives.

3.5 Marketing Rural and RegionalVictoria

In 2004/05, RDV delivered Phase Two of the Make it

Happen in Provincial Victoria marketing program.

The $5.7 million program, which included public relations,

press and television advertising and a dedicated website,

carried forward the momentum from Phase 1 of the

campaign, which was launched in 2003. The campaign was

developed in close partnership with the State’s 48 rural and

regional councils to encourage Melbourne residents

and businesses to consider relocating to rural and

regional Victoria.

It was the first time rural and regional Victoria had marketed

itself as an entity and the first time the councils had worked

together to promote rural and regional Victoria as a whole.

In addition to $2.85 million over three years for the marketing

of the campaign, Phase 2 also included $2.85 million for a new

Provincial Economic Partnerships initiative to equip regional

councils with the skills and tools they need to capture

economic and investment opportunities. The Make it Happen

in Provincial Victoria marketing campaign is aimed at helping

to meet the Government’s target of 1.25 per cent population

growth in rural and regional Victoria by 2006.

3.6 Sponsorship–Herald Sun Tour 2004

In September 2004 the Government announced a

three-year sponsorship of Australia’s most famous

road cycling race – the Herald Sun Tour.

The Tour was one of the biggest international sports events

in regional Victoria, taking in numerous towns and rural

communities along its route of around 1200km over 10 days

of racing. The Tour also provided a direct economic benefit

to host cities and towns, injecting about $100,000 into the

local economy for each overnight stay.

The Herald Sun Tour – founded as the Sun Tour in 1952 – is

the highest-ranked professional cycling event in the Southern

Hemisphere, enjoying the same Union Cycliste International

(UCI) rating as the tours of Sweden and Germany.

The Tour attracted 85 riders from 16 countries competing

for $120,000 in prize money. The 2004 Herald Sun Tour ran

from October 14-24, starting in Lygon St Melbourne and

finishing in Traralgon. The Tour was linked to the Make it

Happen in Provincial Victoria marketing campaign, which

promotes the work, investment and lifestyle opportunities in

provincial Victoria.

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Section 4.0Other RelevantInformation

4.1 Financial Performance

Consolidated financial statements for the Department of

Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD)

and Regional Development Victoria (RDV) are contained

in the Annual Report 2004/05 published by DIIRD.

Sections 5.5 and 5.6 of this report contain Output Targets

and Performance and Revenue and Expenses respectively,

for RDV for the year ended 30 June 2005.

4.2 Compliance

Compliance requirements in accordance with the Financial

Management Act 1994 and the Directions of the Minister

for Finance are handled by DIIRD on behalf of RDV.

Consolidated compliance reporting information for RDV,

for the financial year 2004/05 is contained in the Annual

Report 2004/05 published by DIIRD.

4.3 Legislation

The legislation for which RDV is responsible is the Regional

Development Victoria Act 2002, which establishes RDV and

outlines its functions and duties.

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Section 5.0 Grants andOutput Targets

5.1 Regional Development Victoria Grants

Regional Development Victoria provided financial assistance through a broad range of programs aiding economic

and community development in regional Victoria. Assistance included funding for economic development and

infrastructure projects and regional community events.

Consistent with discussions with the Auditor-General’s Office, grants from appropriate regional development programs

to interface councils and metropolitan organisations are contained in the 2004/05 Annual Report for the Department of

Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

Financial assistance of $8 million was provided to the following companies and organisations.

Organisation Funding Type Payment $

Alpine Shire Council Bushfire Recovery Fund 126,250

Alpine Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 93,030

Alpine Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 5,000

Alpine Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 25,000

Ararat Rural City Council Regional Investment Initiative 7,500

Ararat Rural City Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 300

Ballarat Football League Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,250

Barwon Region Water Authority Regional Investment Initiative 12,500

Bass Coast Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 1,650

Bass Coast Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 20,000

Bass Coast Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 12,500

Bass Coast Shire Council Rural Community Events and Development Program 17,885

Baw Baw Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 5,000

Benalla Rural City Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 20,000

Berry Street Victoria Inc Drought Assistance Packages 20,000

Buchan & Gelantipy Racing Club Inc Living Regions Living Suburbs 6,087

Buloke Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 22,997

Buloke Shire Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Campaspe Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 244

Campaspe Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 31,329

Campaspe Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 9,000

Campaspe Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 4,655

Central Goldfields Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 25,500

Central Goldfields Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,204

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Ceramet Technologies Pty Ltd Community Regional Industry Skills Program 60,000

City of Ballarat Living Regions Living Suburbs 450,777

City of Ballarat Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 25,000

City of Greater Bendigo Living Regions Living Suburbs 121,183

City of Greater Bendigo Regional Investment Initiative 25,000

City of Greater Bendigo Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,000

City of Greater Geelong Living Regions Living Suburbs 200,000

City of Greater Geelong Regional Innovation Clusters Program 21,334

City of Greater Geelong Regional Investment Initiative 210,000

City of Greater Shepparton Living Regions Living Suburbs 345,316

City of Greater Shepparton Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 3,500

City of Greater Shepparton Regional Innovation Clusters Program 50,000

City of Warrnambool Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 12,500

City of Warrnambool Regional Investment Initiative 3,000

City of Wodonga Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 14,741

Colac Otway Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 3,500

Committee for Drouin Inc Rural Community Events and Development Program 700

Corangamite Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 9,000

Corio Community Sports Club Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,875

East Gippsland Shire Council Bushfire Recovery Fund 103,478

East Gippsland Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 1,208

East Gippsland Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 13,482

Gannawarra Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 1,550

Gannawarra Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 39,294

Glenelg Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 2,363

Glenelg Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 7,500

Golden Plains Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 5,581

Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program Inc Rural Community Events and Development Program 8,547

Grampians Community Health Centre Inc Drought Assistance Packages 1,160

GV Time Out Inc Drought Assistance Packages 2,500

Hepburn Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 4,500

Hindmarsh Shire Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Horsham Art is Festival Rural Leadership & Community Events 2,500

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Horsham Rural City Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 18,123

Horsham Rural City Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Indigo Shire Council Bushfire Recovery Fund 142,000

Indigo Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 1,550

Latrobe City Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 14,404

Lions Club of Merrigum Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 65

Loddon Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 71,180

Lyrebird Arts Council Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,750

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 76,300

Man from Snowy River Bush Festival Inc Drought Assistance Packages 2,500

Mansfield Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 11,250

Mansfield Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 26,250

Mansfield Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 376

Marsed Pty Ltd Community Regional Industry Skills Program 60,000

Mildura Rural City Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 6,582

Mildura Rural City Council Regional Investment Initiative 21,250

Mildura Rural City Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Mildura Rural City Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,352

Mitchell Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 17,110

Mitchell Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 75,500

Moira Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 3,769

Moira Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 3,500

Moira Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 20,750

Moira Tourism Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,903

Moorabool Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 2,000

Moorabool Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 15,000

Moorabool Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,063

Mount Alexander Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 27,828

Mount Beauty & District Chamber of Commerce Inc. Drought Assistance Packages 2,469

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Bushfire Recovery Fund 25,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 523,133

Murrindindi Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 800

Nathalia and District Development Corporation Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,400

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North Central Catchment Management Authority Drought Assistance Packages 2,423

North Central Catchment Management Authority Rural Community Events and Development Program 10,400

North East AgCare Inc Rural Community Events and Development Program 10,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 999

Pacific Edge Holdings Pty Ltd Regional Investment Initiative 200,000

Patience & Nicholson (Aust) Pty Ltd Community Regional Industry Skills Program 50,000

Portland Coast Region Water Authority Regional Investment Initiative 97,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 5,234

Pyrenees Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 15,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 30,000

Regional Arts Victoria Living Regions Living Suburbs 30,000

Rubicon Systems Australia Pty Ltd Regional Investment Initiative 20,250

Rural City of Wangaratta Bushfire Recovery Fund 11,413

Rural City of Wangaratta Drought Assistance Packages 4,200

Rural City of Wangaratta Glenrowan Lions Park Project 6,831

Rural City of Wangaratta Living Regions Living Suburbs 18,168

Rural City of Wangaratta Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 7,000

South Gippsland Shire Council Rural Community Events and Development Program 25,438

South West Water Authority Living Regions Living Suburbs 100,000

South West Water Authority Regional Investment Initiative 29,268

Southern Grampians Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 3,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 98,750

Southern Grampians Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 11,171

Strathbogie Shire Council Council and Regional Development Body Program 51,075

Strathbogie Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 4,754

Strathbogie Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 12,500

Strathbogie Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 49,500

Strzelecki Engineering Pty Ltd Regional Investment Initiative 20,000

Surf Coast Shire Regional Investment Initiative 12,500

Swan Hill Rural City Council Regional Investment Initiative 7,500

Swan Hill Rural City Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Talbot Action Inc Drought Assistance Packages 1,750

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Talbot Football-Cricket Club Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,357

The Taste Factory Pty Ltd Regional Investment Initiative 22,500

Thoona and District Progress Association Drought Assistance Packages 1,050

Towong Shire Council Bushfire Recovery Fund 194,875

Towong Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 8,093

Towong Shire Council Rural Community Events and Development Program 2,250

Upper Murray Health & Community Services Rural Leadership & Community Events 1,433

Walhalla Tourist Railway Committee of Management Inc Living Regions Living Suburbs 20,000

Wanalta Foods Pty Ltd Community Regional Industry Skills Program 20,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 6,614

Wellington Shire Council Bushfire Recovery Fund 47,500

Wellington Shire Council Drought Assistance Packages 500

Wellington Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 17,540

Wellington Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 10,000

Wellington Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 24,200

Wellington Shire Council Rural Leadership & Community Events 2,127

West Wimmera Shire Council Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria 15,500

West Wimmera Shire Council Regional Investment Initiative 10,000

West Wimmera Shire Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Woady Yaloak Catchment Group Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 2,140

Wycheproof Community Resource Centre Drought Assistance Packages 2,075

Yarriambiack Shire Council Living Regions Living Suburbs 25,452

Yarriambiack Shire Council Rural Community Infrastructure Development Program 400,000

Yea Golf Club Inc Rural Leadership & Community Events 650

5.2 Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Grants

Financial Assistance of $6 million was announced from the Fund to the following organisations:

Organisation Project $ Amount

Greater Bendigo City Council Bendigo Rural Exhibition Centre 2,500,000

Greater Bendigo City Council Bendigo Bank Civic Space and Public Infrastructure 3,000,000

Port of Portland Pty Ltd Port of Portland Multi-Purpose Ship Loader & Associated Infrastructure 500,000 RD

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5.3 Small Towns Development Fund Grants

(A sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund)

Financial Assistance of $5.6 million was announced from the Fund to the following Councils:

Council Project $ Amount

Ararat Rural City Council Streatham Simpson Park Development 25,000

Ararat Rural City Council Mininera Recreation Reserve Community Facilities 50,000

Bass Coast Shire Council Raise the Ripple 37,500

Bass Coast Shire Council Community Building - Rotunda Cape Woolamai 18,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Hallora Community Facility 50,000

Buloke Shire Council Nullawil Community Complex Upgrade 22,542

Buloke Shire Council Donald Industrial Estate 72,000

Campaspe Shire Council Kyabram Union/Allan Street Precinct Beautification 200,000

Campaspe Shire Council Rushworth Railway Parkland 100,000

Central Goldfields Shire Council Talbot Town Centre Development 79,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre Upgrade 20,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Gellibrand River Township Upgrade 35,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Beech Forest Township Upgrade 47,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Lake Colac Upgrade 200,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Carlisle River Township Upgrade 40,000

Corangamite Shire Council Camperdown Botanic Gardens Improvement 23,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Mallacoota Streetscape and Alfresco Project 75,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Metung Streetscape 55,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Quambatook Community Facility 27,547

Gannawarra Shire Council Murrabit Hall Upgrade 34,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Atkinson Park Development 34,000

Glenelg Shire Council Portable Promotion, Events & Community Facilities Package 20,614

Golden Plains Shire Council Bannockburn Industrial Estate - Stage 2 200,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Shelford Community Meeting Space 65,000

Greater Geelong City Council William Buckley Historic Trail 9,783

Greater Geelong City Council Ocean Grove Park Redevelopment 13,000

Greater Geelong City Council Barwon Coast Trail 200,000

Greater Shepparton City Council Dookie Community Centre 200,000

Hepburn Shire Council Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens Improvement 76,400

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Hindmarsh Shire Council Old Dimboola Banner Office Print Museum Development 7,000

Hindmarsh Shire Council Winiam Hall Upgrade 12,160

Horsham Rural City Council Kanagulk Memorial Hall Upgrade 17,450

Horsham Rural City Council Haven Recreation Reserve Development 10,000

Horsham Rural City Council Kalkee Community Centre 65,000

Horsham Rural City Council Natimuk Showgrounds Community Facilities 50,000

Indigo Shire Council Stanley Hall 27,000

Indigo Shire Council Chiltern Community Courthouse Upgrade 30,000

Indigo Shire Council Chiltern East Entry Community Precinct 51,250

Indigo Shire Council Yackandandah Streetscape Commercial Precinct 120,000

Loddon Shire Council Wedderburn Community Centre Development 84,122

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Kyneton Grandstand Redevelopment 64,600

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Kyneton Streetscape 200,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Gisborne Community Hall Refurbishment 42,375

Mansfield Shire Council Jamieson Town Centre Development 90,000

Mansfield Shire Council Mansfield Community Facilities Upgrade 23,750

Mansfield Shire Council Woods Point Township Enhancement 47,000

Mildura Rural City Council Murrayville Public Hall Upgrade 31,368

Mitchell Shire Council Wandong-Heathcote Junction Township Improvement Works 82,000

Mitchell Shire Council Kilmore Memorial Hall Redevelopment 55,000

Mitchell Shire Council Development of the Sam de Gabrielle Reserve 50,000

Mitchell Shire Council LB Davern Reserve Community Facility Expansion 50,000

Moira Shire Council Bundalong Hall Refurbishment 50,000

Moorabool Shire Council Blackwood Hall & Senior Citizens Club Redevelopment 13,300

Moorabool Shire Council Mt Egerton Hall Upgrade 28,150

Moorabool Shire Council Mt Wallace Hall Upgrade 34,875

Mount Alexander Shire Council Upgrade of Metcalfe Community Facility 30,000

Moyne Shire Council Mortlake Industrial Estate - Stage 2 200,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Yea Railway Reserve Upgrade - Stage 2 32,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Yea Community Services Centre Upgrade 131,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Great Western Master-plan Implementation 63,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council St Arnaud Walkway 17,500

Northern Grampians Shire Council Grampians Gateway Industrial Estate 200,000

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Northern Grampians Shire Council Halls Gap Town Centre Revitalisation 60,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Avoca Hall Upgrade 40,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Beaufort Industrial Estate - Murchison Street 80,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Lexton (Toll Bar) Park Upgrade 11,500

South Gippsland Shire Council Loch Recreational Facilities 75,000

South Gippsland Shire Council Dumbalk Memorial Park BBQ Marquee 17,260

Southern Grampians Shire Council Peck St Industrial Estate 200,000

Surf Coast Shire Council Lorne Visitor Information Centre 200,000

Surf Coast Shire Council Jan Juc Village Community Park 15,400

Swan Hill Rural City Council Lake Boga Development 37,500

Swan Hill Rural City Council McCrae Set Development 141,532

Towong Shire Council Walwa Community Centre 100,000

Towong Shire Council Tallangatta Showgrounds Facilities Upgrade 49,500

Wangaratta Rural City Council Oxley-Milawa Gourmet Region Link 192,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council Carboor Hall Upgrade 17,400

Wellington Shire Council Yarram Tourist Centre and Art Space 15,000

West Wimmera Shire Council Edenhope Mechanics Hall Upgrade 41,250

West Wimmera Shire Council Harrow Streetscape 70,000

Wodonga City Council Baranduda to Huon Rail Trail 121,000

Yarriambiack Shire Council Beulah GPS Base Station 15,000

Yarriambiack Shire Council Rupanyup Memorial Park Development 68,490

Yarriambiack Shire Council Anzac Park Redevelopment 29,554

5.4 Natural Gas Extension Program Grants

(A sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund)

Financial Assistance of $44.5 million was announced from the Fund to the following natural gas distribution companies:

Organisation Project $ Amount

SP Australia Networks (Distribution) Pty Ltd Supply of natural gas to Port Fairy, Creswick, Camperdown, 25,410,000Maiden Gully, Barwon Heads, Woodend, Macedon, Gisborne,New Gisborne, Lancefield, Romsey, Riddells Creek

Envestra Ltd Supply of natural gas to Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Balnarring Beach, 12,915,200Balnarring, Hurstbridge, Merricks Beach, Somers, St Andrews Beach

Multinet Gas Distribution Partnership Supply of natural gas to Yarra Glen, Wandin, Seville, Seville East, 6,157,704Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Launching Place, Wesburn, Millgrove

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5.5 Output Targets and Performance

OUTPUT GROUP / Output Performance Indicator 2004/05 Target Annual Result

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT / Output Cost $1.6mRegional Strategic Leadership

Quantity - Provincial Economic Partnerships – projects supported 9 22

Regional Development Advisory Committee meetings held 5 5in rural and regional Victoria

Strategic policy initiated 2 2

Quality - Council satisfaction with Provincial Victoria marketing campaign 90% 96%

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT / Output Cost $6.6mRural Community Development

Quantity - Assistance provided to business in small communities 50 52on growth opportunities

Community development grants supported 9 11

Development of partnerships with community foundations and business 3 3

Regional-State-Local Government community forums 5 5

Small communities – projects supported 30 30

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT/ Output Cost $78.7 mRegional Infrastructure Development

Quantity - RIDF Projects funded 5 3 (1)

(excluding Gas and Small Towns Development Fund)

Small Towns Development Fund (RIDF) projects funded 30 84

Quality - RIDF Committee recommendations accepted by Ministers 90% 100

Timelines - Development of agreements executed with successful End Oct 2004 Achievedtenderers under the Natural Gas Extension Program Tender.

Advice to RIDF applicants – after receipt of application. 90 days 115

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT/ Output Cost $12.1 mRegional Economic Development

Quantity - Companies in regional Victoria provided with assistance 100 284for growth opportunities

Jobs created in Regional Victoria 1,000 1,898

Living Regions, Living Suburbs Support Fund: community banking project grants 6 2 (2)

New exports facilitated and announced in regional Victoria $100 m 395.9

New investment facilitated and announced in regional Victoria $600m 1099.2 (3)

Next Generation Food Strategy – quarterly endorsement of project 4 4report by Food Victoria Council

Regional Business Investment Ready Program Skills Workshop 6 0 (4)

Regional economic development council projects supported 15 39

1. A number of proposals were being assessed as at 30 June 2005. 2. Low demand due to the reversal of bank closure policy. 3. Includes Almonds Australia $150 million, Southern Hydro $130 million, Bendigo Mining $215 million.4. Six local government workshops to be conducted in second half of calendar year 2005. R

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5.6 Revenue and Expenses

Output Group Schedule - Controlled revenue and expenses for the year ended 30th June 2005

Regional Development Regional Development2004/05 2003/04($’000) ($’000)

Revenue

Output appropriations 31,235 22,814

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Appropriations 25,000 20,000

Special appropriations 1,515 0

Other revenue 0 1,286

Total revenue 57,750 44,100

Expenses

Employee entitlements (11,083) (12,477)

Depreciation and amortisation (577) (645)

Grants and other payments to service providers (42,551) (46,328)

Capital asset charge (280) (143)

Supplies and services (7,263) (6,841)

Borrowing Costs (24) 0

Other expenses from ordinary activities (6) (48)

Total expenses (61,784) (66,482)

Net Result for the Reporting Period (4,034) (22,382)

The net result for the reporting period for the year ended 30 June 2005 results from payments out of the Regional

Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) trust being $4 million higher then the appropriation received during the year for that

program (2004 - $22 million). The unspent balance in the trust at the end of the current year to be expended on committed

projects over a number of future years is $100 million (2004 - $104 million).

Regional Development Victoria was established under the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002. The financial operations

of Regional Development Victoria are included in the Financial Report for the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional

Development.

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Section 6.0ContactInformation

6.1 Regional Development Victoria – Contact Information

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Contact Information

A. Victorian Business Centres

BALLARAT

48 Sturt Street Ballarat 3350

Ph 5320 5900 Fax 5320 5998

BENDIGO

46 Edward Street Bendigo 3550

Ph 5442 4100 Fax 5442 5452

GEELONG

69 Moorabool Street Geelong 3220

Ph 5229 0641 Fax 5229 9503

MILDURA

131 Langtree Street Mildura 3500

Ph 5051 2000 Fax 5051 2020

SHEPPARTON

3/164 Welsford Street Shepparton 3630

Ph 5821 1811 Fax 5822 2554

TRARALGON

33 Breed Street Traralgon 3844

Ph 5174 9233 Fax 5174 7845

WANGARATTA

27-29 Faithful Street Wangaratta 3677

Ph 5721 6988 Fax 5721 2265

WODONGA

6/22 Stanley Street Wodonga 3689

Ph 02 6056 2166 Fax 02 6056 2334

B. Rural Community Development Officers

Ararat Telephone: 5352 1367

Bairnsdale Telephone: 5153 2741

Colac Telephone: 5231 6627

Horsham Telephone: 5381 2762

Mildura Telephone: 5051 2000

Seymour Telephone: 5799 0573

Wangaratta Telephone: (02) 6056 2166

Warrnambool Telephone: 5561 4135

Wodonga Telephone: (02) 6056 2166

C. Regional Infrastructure Development Fund

Telephone: 9651 9301

Email: [email protected]

D. Regional Industries Specialists

Ararat Telephone: 5352 1369

Bendigo Telephone: 5442 4100

Warragul Telephone: 5622 1612

E. Food Industry Specialists

Ballarat Telephone: 5320 5915

Shepparton Telephone: 5821 1811

Warrnambool Telephone: 0418 545 580

F. TradeStart Export Adviser

Geelong Telephone: 5223 2104

G. Interface Councils Liaison Officer

Melbourne Telephone: 9651 9000

H. Email

Email: To contact a staff member at Regional Development

Victoria use the email domain: first name.last [email protected]

For general email enquiries: [email protected]

I. Websites

www.rdv.vic.gov.au www.food.vic.gov.au

www.provincialvictoria.vic.gov.au www.business.vic.gov.au

J. Melbourne Office

Level 12 and Level 37, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000

Ph 9651 9000 Fax 9651 9360

annual report - rdv.vic.gov.au · regional development victoria annual report 2004/05 ... including...

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