regional development victoria · i am pleased to submit to you, for presentation to parliament,...

ANNUAL REPORT 2008—2009 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA

RE

GIO

NA

L DE

VE

LOP

ME

NT V

ICTO

RIA

AN

NU

AL R

EP

OR

T 2008—2009www.rdv.vic.gov.au

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) Annual

Report 2008/09

RDV Highlights 2008/09 2

1.0 Introduction 4

1.1 ChiefExecutiveForeword 6

2.0 Overview of Regional Development Victoria 8

2.1 ProfileofRegionalDevelopmentVictoria 10

2.2 StructureofRegionalDevelopmentVictoria 12

2.3 RegionalDevelopmentAdvisoryCommittee 14

2.4 KeyPartners 16

3.0 Year in Review 18

3.1 DeliveryintheRegions 20

3.2 Industry 34

•IndustryInvestment 34

•FoodandBeverage 42

3.3 Infrastructure 56

•RegionalInfrastructureDevelopmentFund 56

•SmallTownsDevelopmentFund 74

3.4 RegionalStrategicPlanning 80

3.5 MarketingProvincialVictoria 92

3.6 StrategicPolicy 96

4.0 Grants and Output Targets 100

4.1 RegionalDevelopmentVictoriaGrantPayments 102

4.2 RegionalInfrastructureDevelopmentDepartmentFund 108

•NewProjects 108

•GrantPayments 111

4.3 SmallTownsDevelopmentFund 114

•NewProjects 114

•GrantPayments 118

4.4 OutputTargetsandPerformance 124

4.5 RevenueandExpenses 125

4.6 FinancialPerformance 126

4.7 Compliance 126

4.8 Legislation 127

5.0 Contact Information 128

section

section

section

section

section

PublishedbytheVictorianGovernment

RegionalDevelopmentVictoria

AnnualReport2008/09

October 2009

Melbourne Victoria

©CopyrightStateofVictoria2009

Thispublicationiscopyright.

Nopartmaybereproducedbyany

processexceptinaccordancewith

theprovisionsoftheCopyrightAct1968.

ISSN 1448-9341

Contact

DepartmentofInnovation,Industry

andRegionalDevelopment

Level33,121ExhibitionStreet

Melbourne3000

Telephone:0396519138

Facsimile:0396519360

Email:[email protected]

www.rdv.vic.gov.au

www.business.vic.gov.au

Printed by

StreamSolutions

Accessibility

Ifyouwouldlikethispublicationinanaccessibleformat,suchaslargeprintoraudio,pleasetelephone13 22 15(voicecalls),[email protected].

Thisdocumentisalsoavailableinanaccessibleformatontheinternetatwww.rdv.vic.gov.au.

121 Exhibition StreetMelbourne, Victoria 3000GPO Box 4509Melbourne, Victoria 3001AustraliaTelephone: (03) 9651 9138Facsimile: (03) 9651 9360

The Hon. Jacinta AllanMinister for Regional and Rural Development Level 36 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

Dear Minister

Regional Development Victoria Annual Report 2008/09

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

The document outlines the organisation’s achievements for the year ended 30 June 2009.

Yours sincerely

Justin Hanney Chief Executive

3 :

Regional Development

Victoria Highlights

• Creating 1956 new jobs through investments and facilitation.

• Achieving a record $1.589 billion

in new investment — more than double the department target.

• Achieving the Government’s export target of $150 million, plus an additional $183.8 million in import replacement goods.

• Managing a record year for infrastructure growth – investing $48 million under the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund to support 63 projects worth $111 million.

• Managing a record year 103 projects under the Small Towns Development Fund, investing $15.6 million to leverage total investment of $28.8 million.

• Targeting nine projects to assist small towns hit by drought — the initiatives under the Small Towns Drought Fund received $1.9 million to generate employment while creating new opportunities for growth and developing economic and social infrastructure.

• Supporting 95 events to assist bushfire–affected communities and helping administer grants to assist primary producers and small businesses affected by bushfires.

• Assisting 200 regional companies with growth opportunities.

• Establishing the Food and Beverage group which is dedicated to the development, investment and expansion of this industry. A major objective is to help the Victorian food industry to maintain a competitive commercial advantage in domestic and international markets.

• Establishing the Regional Strategic Planning group to support the Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning and link the three tiers of government to manage and drive regional growth.

• Producing a television special Changing Places: Life in Provincial Victoria as part of the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign, in association with regional and rural municipalities, to maintain the high profile of regional and rural Victoria.

• Sponsoring a major campaign Put Victoria on Your Table to increase awareness about the high quality food and wine produced in regional Victoria.

RDV has primary responsibility for:

• creating vibrant and dynamic regional communities and economies through facilitating new jobs, investments and exports;

• facilitating new investment in regional and rural Victoria through funding infrastructure for strategic projects;

• delivering programs and information to help grow a robust and sustainable business economy and strengthen communities throughout provincial Victoria;

• preparing integrated regional plans and developing a blueprint for determining future priorities for social and economic development across provincial Victoria; and

• creating jobs and investment across Victoria through resilient, competitive and productive small businesses.

1.0RDV Introduction

Creating vibrant and dynamic regional communities and economies through the facilitation of new jobs, investments and exports.

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) works closely with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and other government departments to meet its key strategic objective of facilitating economic, infrastructure and community development to support a prosperous and growing provincial Victoria.

: 4 5 :

Photo left: Tahbilk Winery, Nagambie. CEO Alister Purbrick with visitors Suzanne Williams and Rachel Stratford.

The blueprint will provide the next generation of regional development policy, following the formal conclusion of the highly successful Moving Forward action plan in June next year.

Among several aims, the initiative is aiming to ensure a coordinated approach across all levels of government to planning for growth and change in provincial Victoria. The challenge for government is to maximise this growth potential, put in place strategies to leverage Victoria’s comparative advantage and provide for areas that may experience significant change.

RDV has worked closely with the Ministerial Taskforce developing the initiative through community engagement forums, or ‘regional exchanges’, and starting a second stage of community engagement in May 2009.

The initiative’s focus on strengthening the planning process through supporting the coordination of regional planning will encourage increased cooperation and better targeting of investment across all levels of government.

In June 2009, agreement was reached between the Commonwealth and State governments to establish Regional Development Australia committees in Victoria, signalling a new era of cooperation across all levels of government.

The Regional Development Australia (RDA) network of committees will introduce a more strategic and responsive, national approach to regional development.

The RDA advisory committees will facilitate engagement between the Australian and Victorian governments and local communities, to ensure responsiveness to local needs. Local government representation on the committees will ensure that all three levels of government work in partnership to benefit local communities.

Regional Development Victoria will administer the committees in Victoria, with the transition from Area Consultative Committees to RDA committees starting by 1 October 2009.

The committees will be generally aligned with the Victorian Government administrative boundaries. There will be four RDAs in metropolitan Melbourne covering Northern Melbourne, Western Melbourne, Southern Melbourne and Eastern Melbourne. Five RDAs will be located in provincial Victoria covering the regions of Loddon Mallee, Barwon South West, Grampians, Hume and Gippsland.

The continuing drought and another hot summer also pose challenges for communities in many parts of the State.

The Small Towns Drought Fund is an outstanding example of the community–strengthening value of targeted investment. The past year saw nine initiatives with $1.9 million funding directed towards communities confronted by the ongoing drought.

Not only are these works generating employment but building economic and social infrastructure to enhance liveability and help these communities position themselves for growth and other opportunities.

Along with this investment, 103 projects for Victoria’s small towns were initiated from the overall Small Towns Development Fund. These works are helping to revitalise small communities, such an important part of the regional economy and landscape.

The environment for regional Victoria will continue to be challenging.

RDV is committed to partnering and supporting regional Victoria to enhance the resilience, innovation and strength of communities that has been demonstrated so comprehensively in the past year.

Justin Hanney

: 6

1.1Chief Executive’s

Foreword

Justin Hanney

Chief Executive Regional Development Victoria

Deputy Secretary, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development

7 :

Despite the challenges of the past financial year, Regional Development Victoria (RDV) has continued to successfully deliver the organisation’s core services and keep regional Victoria positioned for growth and prosperity.

By focussing on maintaining jobs and growing employment in sectors offering new opportunities, developing infrastructure and attracting investment, RDV has been able to assist regional communities through difficult times, which are not over yet.

Almost 2000 jobs were created in 2008/09, new investment hit a record $1.589 billion and 63 projects were launched under the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, the second consecutive record year.

Not only were RDV staff heavily committed in helping drive economic and industry initiatives and attract investment, but they stepped up to assist communities affected by this year’s devastating bushfires.

The whole organisation was proud of the efforts of staff who demonstrated their close connections and tremendous willingness to support their communities through these disasters.

The bushfires, the ongoing drought and the difficult global conditions underlined RDV’s vital role in facilitating economic, infrastructure and community development and helping leverage investment.

Investment in regional Victoria has contributed to the surge of investment in the State that has helped drive economic recovery.

This investment is strongly linked with the Government’s commitment to strengthen regional Victoria by developing infrastructure to underpin growth and prosperity. Developing this infrastructure – extending the natural gas network, upgrading regional airports, developing industrial estates, supporting industry initiatives in water efficiency, upgrading arts and cultural facilities – has contributed to the diversity of economic activity which has buoyed regional Victoria in this time of rapid and complex change.

One of the most exciting activities has been the progress made in developing the Government’s landmark blueprint for provincial Victoria.

Almost 2000 jobs were created in 2008/09, new investment hit a record $1.589 billion and 63 projects were launched under the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, the second consecutive record year.

OVERVIEW OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA

2.0

11 :: 10

Regional Development Victoria is the Victorian Government’s lead agency in developing regional and rural Victoria.2.1Regional Development Victoria (RDV) was established as a statutory body by the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002, and began operating on 3 March 2003.

RDV is responsible to the Minister for Regional and Rural Development and is part of the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

RDV provides strategic advice to the Minister about the state of rural and regional Victoria in relation to economic, social and environmental issues.

RDV’s focus is on regional planning, attracting investment, creating jobs, promoting exports, and building economies, communities and infrastructure to create a strong and growing provincial Victoria.

RDV has programs to:

• promote business and industry development;

• work with local government and communities;

• help new businesses establish themselves; and

• pave the way for existing industries to grow and diversify.

Profile of Regional Development Victoria

: 12 13 :

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) is structured to deliver a range of programs and initiatives to strengthen Victoria’s regional economy, infrastructure, communities and business sector through its five divisions – Regional Strategic Planning, Infrastructure, Industry Investment, Delivery and Food and Beverage.

Structure of Regional Development Victoria 2.2

Minister, Regional and Rural Development

SecretaryDIIRD

Regional DevelopmentAdvisory Committee

Chief Executive Justin Hanney

Executive Supportand Coordination

Delivery Executive Director

Rob Jones

INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATION

REGIONAL NETWORK (VBCs)

PROGRAMS

Food and BeverageActing Executive Director

Anthony Sherry

Infrastructure Executive DirectorBrad Ostermeyer

Regional Strategic PlanningExecutive Director

Lill Healy

FinanceMarketing and

Communications

INTERNATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY

DOMESTIC STRATEGY

INVESTMENT FACILITATION

POLICY, RESEARCH AND REGULATION

WATER

EDUCATION AND ICT

ENERGY

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

TOURISM

TRANSPORT

REGIONAL PLANNING

RESEARCH / POLICY DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNANCE

Industry InvestmentExecutive Director

Gary Gaffney

STRATEGIC BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL UNIT

PROGRAMS

Strategic Policy

Changes to match new focus

The Regional Strategic Planning group was established in August to lead the development of the Regional Strategic Planning Initiative, announced by Premier John Brumby in Moving Forward Update: The Next Two Years 2008–2010.

Lill Healy was appointed Executive Director of the new group, on secondment from the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Through the new group, RDV is taking the lead role in supporting the Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning, chaired by Minister for Regional and Rural Development Jacinta Allan, the Interdepartmental Committee and local participation in planning activities.

Brad Ostermeyer was appointed Executive Director of the Infrastructure group in April 2009.

Industry Investment group Executive Director Gary Gaffney was seconded to the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in April 2009. The group continued its operations reporting to the Chief Executive.

The Food and Beverage group was established in May 2009 to focus on this major sector. Anthony Sherry was appointed as Acting Executive Director.

: 14 15 :

2.3Regional

Development Advisory Committee

The Committee also advises the Regional and Rural Development Minister about matters relating to economic and community development across provincial Victoria.

The Regional Development Advisory Committee consists of the Chief Executive of RDV, who is the Chair, and five members representing rural and regional Victoria. Committee members were first approved by the Governor in Council on 2 September 2003.

The following regional and rural 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 Hayley Cail

• Mr Ed Coppe

• Ms Jennifer Dawson

• Mr Richard Rijs

In 2008/09, the Regional Development Advisory Committee met on 9 October, 7–8 May and 17 June.

The Committee continues to make a valuable contribution to the Victorian Government’s regional and rural development agenda.

The Regional Development Victoria Act 2002 provides for the establishment of a Regional Development Advisory Committee to advise the Government on strategies for driving economic growth across provincial Victoria.

Richard Rijs Jo Bourke

Ed Coppe

Justin Hanney Hayley Cail

Jennifer Dawson

: 16 17 :

2.4ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BODIES

RDV worked closely with regional economic development bodies in facilitating economic, infrastructure and socio-economic development. These bodies provided a close link between government and business and helped attract new investment and develop existing businesses and promote economic development opportunities.

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

RDV regional offices worked closely with key regional business networks, associations and industry bodies. Roles and activities included participating as committee members, judging awards, mentoring and facilitating access to RDV assistance programs and services.

INDUSTRY CAPABILITY NETWORK

Industry Capability Network (ICN) is an independent, not-for-profit Victorian Government-funded service to the manufacturing, engineering and services sector. With a growing industry capability database of over 40,000 Australian businesses, ICN consultants perform a technical role, providing purchasers with free sourcing and business-matching services to identify competitive Australian capability and innovation. In 2008/09, RDV continued to work with the ICN on the Regional Industry Link (RIL) – a program connecting regional industry capabilities to

business opportunities and projects in Victoria, Australia and overseas. The ICN services are delivered through its offices in Melbourne and across regional Victoria (Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

RDV worked closely with the 48 regional and rural councils, and the nine interface councils in facilitating economic, infrastructure and socio-economic development. RDV’s support included facilitating investment attraction, infrastructure and industrial estate development and 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 Victoria’s small businesses. RDV regional offices provided strategic support to the Small Business Commissioner in promoting the services of the OSBC, and assisted in business networking.

Key Partners

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) – Key partners

COMMONWEALTH AND OTHER STATE GOVERNMENTS

RDV is a member of the Standing Committee on Regional Development that comprises representatives of the Australian Local Government Association and the Commonwealth and State Governments. In 2008/09, the Committee considered a wide range of regional issues and matters, including economic, investment, skills and community development.

COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

RDV supported and partnered with a diverse range of community organisations across rural and regional Victoria. These partnerships helped strengthen communities through the delivery of infrastructure projects, leadership initiatives and events and made a considerable contribution to ongoing community capacity building and development initiatives.

DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

RDV worked closely on numerous initiatives with business units in the Department, including Tourism Victoria, Invest Victoria, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Investment Facilitation, Small Business Victoria and Office of Manufacturing and Service Industries.

YEARIN REVIEW

3.0

21 :: 20

Bushfires, drought and the global economic crisis presented a challenging year for regional offices delivering services “on the ground”.

3.1Region-based staff work closely with organisations and individuals in helping develop investment, jobs, exports and communities.

Bushfires

The bushfires of Black Saturday and early 2009 hit four regions — Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, and Loddon Mallee.

Regional staff were involved from immediate response and recovery work such as staffing relief and recovery centres through to helping organise the National Day of Mourning on Sunday 22 February.

A key task was leading delivery of the Victorian Government’s immediate financial assistance for businesses and primary producers directly impacted by the fires.

Emergency business grants were offered to help primary producers and businesses with their immediate needs and to help them keep operating, where possible.

Free business advice, counselling services and low-interest loan schemes backed up this assistance.

Assisting communities and economies

The Bushfire Community Events Program helped local municipalities and communities in fire–affected communities to host community events and activities to assist recovery and stimulate local economies.

Boosting business recovery

Regional and Rural Development Minister, Jacinta Allan led bushfire roundtables for businesses throughout fire-affected regions, providing communities with an important forum to discuss and plan the recovery process.

Delivery inthe Regions

: 22 23 :

Helping Euroa workers steer back on track

The closure of a component parts manufacturer – a major employer in a regional town – was bad news that became an opportunity to showcase the resilience of the workers, the community and the town.

A whole–of–government approach to assisting the employees and the company helped lead the response to the challenge when Teson Trims closed its Euroa plant.

At its closure in October 2008, Teson Trims had been operating from Euroa for more than 30 years and employed 92 staff and 30 at its Mitcham factory. The company provided component parts (interior trim, wheel covers and air bags) for the motor industry, mainly for the Ford Motor Company and Toyota Australia.

The average age of Teson Trims’ workforce was 52 and 12 workers had been employed by the company for more than 14 years. The closure of this major employer in a town with a population of only 3,000 was significant.

After the closure was signalled, Regional Development Victoria and Strathbogie Shire staff met with the company’s administrators on 8 September 2008 to start preparing a whole of government approach to assisting the company and its employees.

The company was advised of the availability of the Skill Up program and that Strathbogie Shire would invoke its Employment Response Plan.

RDV funded the Euroa Economic Development Initiative project under the Living Regions Living Suburbs Program. The project’s aim was to provide a blueprint for the economic development of the Euroa community and to structure the council’s approach to the town.

After consultation between RDV, the council and company administrators, an Employment Response Expo was organised for employees and their families.

The Expo provided retrenched workers with an opportunity to gain information from various agencies that could assist with Centrelink entitlements, regional job opportunities, financial and social counselling, and possibilities for self-employment.

This set the scene for steady progress towards securing work for most of the former employees.

At June 30 2009, after the closure, 49 former employees had engaged in casual, part or full-time employment.

Of the other workers, six had retired and four were not actively seeking employment because of changed family circumstances or health reasons.

Those who have found employment were mainly working locally across the Strathbogie Shire. Some were travelling to Shepparton, Benalla, Violet Town and Avenel. Few had relocated from Euroa in search of new employment.

Of the 92 former Teson Trims employees, 66 people (70 per cent of eligible recipients) had accessed training programs through the Skill Up program.

Those who had not taken up training credits indicated that they started full-time work, had family care duties or were retiring.

Each participant received $1050 in training credits and many had accessed more than one training program. This training improved their skills base and employment opportunities and provided valuable social connections and support.

3.1Delivery in the Regions

Hume hit hard

The bushfires devastated several local government areas in the Hume region.

The worst hit was Murrindindi Shire, where almost the entire town of Marysville was destroyed. Many other small towns in the Hume region also suffered severe damage and loss.

Murrindindi Shire losses included:

• 106 lives;

• 1225 houses;

• 40 per cent of the shire burnt;

• more than 75 businesses and shops;

• $10 million of public infrastructure;

• 80–85 per cent of the shire’s bushland burnt;

• approximately 1950 stock and more than 160 tonnes of farmed fish killed;

• 3533km fencing (the equivalent of Melbourne to Perth in a straight line);

• 25 per cent of rate revenue lost; and

• 24 bridges – including eight major bridges – damaged or lost.

Hume region staff were involved in almost every aspect of response and recovery to this disaster including:

• collecting, collating and distributing information;

• responding to telephone enquiries from Councils, other agencies and departments as well as individuals seeking assistance;

• developing a Recovery/Relief Centre timetable;

• compiling and distributing information from Relief Centres;

• staffing relief/recovery hubs;

• helping primary producers and small business owners complete Rural Finance Grants/assistance applications;

• processing, recording, “championing” and following up applicants;

• contacting more than 300 businesses and individuals either directly or indirectly affected;

• helping organise the National Day of Mourning events;

• assisting with arrangements for field visits by the Premier and Ministers;

• organising and attending events;

• representing RDV at multi–agency, business, community and fire recovery meetings and public forums and providing information;

• meeting local government representatives and providing support when needed;

• liaising with the Department of Human Services, Small Business Mentoring Service, business mentors, business networks, case managers, Rural Finance, and other agencies involved;

• communicating and publicising availability of assistance programs;

• two Buy Local campaigns to encourage support for local businesses; and

• 43 event sponsorships for business and community.

Hume region continues to work in partnership with the Murrindindi Shire, the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and other agencies.

: 24 25 :

These include: ALL AREAS REPLACE–A–GLASS PTY LTD ($590,000 total project cost)

Expanding its manufacturing plant through installing glass toughening equipment, creating 11 jobs. $290,000 from fund

ALVER PTY LTD ($1.8 MILLION)

Expanding the IXL Metal Castings foundry and metal stamping capacity, creating 26 jobs. $750,000

AUSTRALIAN SEAFOOD CO-PRODUCTS FERTILISERS ($1.5 MILLION)

Setting up a manufacturing plant for BioPhos, a liquid fish nutrient based fertiliser alternative to super phosphate, creating 12 jobs, in partnership with Incitec Pivot Ltd. $400,000

DULHUNTY POWER ($3.5 MILLION)

Setting up a fibreglass reinforced cement power pole production facility, based in Moolap, creating 30 jobs. $750,000

EXPRESS PROMOTIONS AUSTRALIA ($1.13 MILLION)

Expanding direct mail/billing services business through buying new equipment, creating 13 jobs. $500,000

FREEMAN BANNER — QUALITY AUSTRALIAN FARMED RABBIT ($610,000)

Upgrading and expanding processing plant, creating 13 jobs. $250,000

GEELONG GALVANISING ($2 MILLION)

Expanding services through developing a paint and fabrication shop, creating 23 jobs. $500,000

GEELONG GLASS AND ALUMINIUM ($1.4 MILLION)

Expanding through installing an automatic glass double-glazing machine, creating 40 jobs. $500,000

INSULPAK PTY LTD ($1.3 MILLION)

Expanding a duct manufacturing facility to produce niche products for new markets, creating 30 jobs. $500,000

LOXLEY TRADING — PATON SHEETMETAL AND PATON INDUSTRIES ($1.1 MILLION)

Expanding metal fabrication capacity to manufacture specialised feeding tanks for agricultural markets, creating 14 jobs. $250,000

RPC TECHNOLOGIES ($5.71 MILLION)

Settting up an advanced fibre composite pipe manufacturing plant, creating 112 jobs. $2.77 million

3.1Investments and innovation expands regional manufacturing

Investments worth over $20 million and up to 325 jobs are being generated under the second round of the Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund.

The fund was established by the Federal and Victorian Governments and Ford Australia to assist industry development in Geelong by providing grants to support new investment that will create sustainable jobs.

The first round of grants, announced in June last year, created 193 full–time jobs. An additional funding to Chemring Australia created another 40 jobs.

The $7.46 million in second round funding was announced in May by Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research; Minister Jacinta Allan, the Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural Development; and Ford Australia’s Public Affairs Manager, Ms Sinead McAlary.

The 11 grants – from $250,000 to $2.7 million – are funding projects that will establish and expand the region’s manufacturing base.


27 :: 26

3.1Across the regions, the drought has helped develop management of water resources and water efficiency, with region residents and organisations installing water collection and treatment infrastructure and water saving devices.

The fund is targeted at projects that:

• enhance the appeal of rural townships and surrounding areas;

• contribute to economic development, such as improvements to community, business and tourism facilities; and

• provide employment opportunities for drought affected rural communities, in particular farmers.

Towns with a population of up to 10,000 are the major focus of this fund. Towns with a population of between 10,000 and 15,000 are considered where there are exceptional circumstances and opportunities.

Projects in 2008/09 included:

• Making Mansfield a Connected Community – $300,000

• Kara Kara Building, St Arnaud – $112,500

• Osborne’s Flat Community Centre – $70,000

The Small Towns Drought Fund is helping enhance the appeal and liveability of rural townships.


Drought towns work for better facilities

Cricketers, netballers, mothers and young children, teenagers, primary school students and footballers will enjoy better facilities after an upgrade of Avoca’s recreation complex.

And within the drought–hit Pyrenees town, important employment opportunities are being generated.

The Pyrenees Shire Council project is one of many backed by an additional $10 million drought relief funding as part of the Small Towns Development Fund.

The fund’s $144,000 towards the $196,000 Avoca upgrade will provide employment for local contractors and workers from the region, which has been severely affected by 12 years of drought.

A “youth space” within the new complex and capacity for more activities are features of the Avoca project, one of nine drought initiatives that received $1.9 million to generate employment in small towns affected by drought, while creating new opportunities for growth and developing economic and social infrastructure.

The modern, more functional facility at Avoca will become a vital asset to the town.

Proposed improvements included building a multi–purpose area, refurbishment, asphalting, drainage, rendering and installing new lighting.

Increased income from additional use is expected to help pay for ongoing improvements and maintenance.

Civic renewal, community facilities, heritage works, innovative water initiatives, pathway works and tourism infrastructure are eligible projects under the Small Towns Drought Fund.

Funding is on a $3 to $1 basis for the 38 small municipalities and a $2 to $1 basis for the 10 municipalities containing large regional cities, up to a maximum of $300,000.

In October, an additional $5 million was allocated and later a further $5 million in existing funding from the Small Towns Development Fund was reallocated to this drought assistance initiative.

The fund is providing an important economic stimulus as the drought becomes the longest on record.

29 :: 28

3.1Running with a great idea

Two years ago, a small group of women met in Horsham over a glass of Grampians Shiraz to talk about developing a series of women’s events – events that would share knowledge and business ideas, develop networks and consider different leadership styles.

Thus was the beginning of Brekkie on the Run, events that have attracted high quality speakers drawn from the Grampians area and across the State.

After the first meeting – which was attended by an RDV representative - the group prepared an application for the Provincial Leadership Development Program.

The RDV representative worked with women from Ararat Rural City Council, East Grampians Health Service, Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network and a local councillor to design the series of breakfasts.

The group’s funding application succeeded and the program has gone from strength to strength, with high profile speakers such as former Premier Joan Kirner who spoke to 80 women in Ararat and a further 25 over morning tea at Willaura; local Rose Rowe talked to 50 women about her trek over the Kokoda Trail; and Airlie Worrall, Victorian Farmers’ Federation Executive Manager, Commodities talked about working in a lobbying organisation.

A local business or organisation sponsors students to attend each breakfast event. Sponsors have included AME Systems, ACE radio, EcoSynergy and Bendigo Bank. These sponsors also encourage women from their own workplaces to attend.

The program is now being replicated in adjacent shires with Pyrenees Council hosting a women’s health evening under the banner of Brekkie on the Run and Northern Grampians Shire planning an event.

Members of the informal Brekkie on the Run committee are considering how to make the program sustainable and are collaborating with other women’s events to extend the program.

Brekkie on the Run is just one example of how regional staff contribute to their communities.

Working with regional communities

In all regions, staff have close working relationships with a wide range of regional service providers and business and community support groups.

BARWON SOUTH WEST REGION

• Barwon South West Regional Management Forum

• Barwon South West Regional Trails Strategy – Project Control Group

• BioGeelong Cluster Steering Committee

• Colac Otway Industry Advisory Committee

• G21 Economic Development Pillar

• G21 Land Use Pillar

• G21 Transport Pillar

• Geelong Engineering Cluster/Opportunities Network

• Geelong Export Network

• Geelong Food Cluster

• Geelong HR Leaders Forum

• Geelong ICT Cluster

• G21 Water for Economic Development Study

• Great South Coast Regional Strategic Planning Group

• Regional Management Forum Youth Education and Skills Working Party

• Whittington Cross Government Senior Officers Group

GIPPSLAND

• Gippsland Emergency Recovery Committee

• Gippsland Regional Development Strategy – Steering Committee

• Gippsland Regional Management Forum

• Interdepartmental Committee

for Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Structural Adjustment for Latrobe Valley

• Regional Strategic Planning Initiative – Project Control Group

GRAMPIANS

• B31

• Ballarat City Economic Development Steering Committee

• Ballarat Industry Workforce Development Strategy – Steering Committee

• BisNet

• Brekkie on The Run Steering Committee

• Bushfire Recovery Committee

• Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network

• CH21 Mayors & CEOs Committee

• Grampians Pyrenees Regional Development Board

• Grampians Regional Management Forum

• JANA: Jobs-A New Approach

• Regional Strategic Planning Initiative Community Engagement

• Rural Skills Connect

• Wimmera Development Association Board

• Wimmera Regional Drought Committee

• Wimmera Southern Mallee RSPI Steering Committee

• SAOW – Sustainable Agriculture Opportunities Working party

• Sustainable Communities Committee

• Transport Connections

HUME REGION

• Department of Planning and Community Development Future Farms Technical Working Group

• Department of Planning and Community Development Women in Leadership and Climate Change Hume Reference Group

• Department of Primary Industries AgFutures North East Reference Group

• Economic, Infrastructure and Structural Adjustment Group

• Hume Economic Development Network

• Hume Region Recovery Committee

• Hume Regional Management Forum

• Hume Strategy – Hume Regional Planning Initiative

• Lower Hume Sustainable Communities

• North East Rural Skills Connect Program

• North East Thoroughbreds

• North East Workforce Development Strategy

• North East Victoria Employment Response Network

• Post Tobacco Action Group

• Regional Climate Change Committee

• Regional Strategic Planning Initiative group

• Social Sector Agency Group

• Southern Hume Rural Skills Connect

• Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria Working Party

• Thoroughbred Racing Industry Interdepartmental Taskforce

LODDON MALLEE REGION

• Bendigo Community Recovery Committee

• Loddon Mallee Regional Management Forum

• Redesdale, Coliban Park Community Recovery Committee

• Regional Strategic Planning Initiative

• Regional Strategic Planning Initiative — Control Group Loddon Mallee Region

Delivery inthe Regions Brekkie on the Run guest

speaker Ngozi Azubuike with Lorine Patterson.

: 30 31 :

3.1the operations, contacts, procedures and processes of organising and running the festival to ensure that ChillOut continues to be managed successfully.

Calling up a new service secures jobs

A regional call centre facing work losses in the tougher economy reconfigured its operations and secured up to 120 jobs.

A $300,000 Victorian Government grant helped Excelior upgrade its Bendigo call centre and re-focus part of its business.

The company – which employs about 220 staff – invested in technology and re-training to equip staff with the skills to work in a blended centre and service multi-media enquiries for a diverse range of clients.

To fully maintain its business in Bendigo, Excelior identified the need to attract new contracts from a diverse range of small and medium–sized clients.

The company’s co-investment with the Government developed a 100-seat state-of-the-art centre to handle inbound, outbound, phone, fax, email and web chat contacts from the customers of smaller clients.

Excelior is an important employer, providing variable and flexible conditions that attract a diverse

range of employees, including working mothers, mature-age workers and students.

The funding to Excelior – one of Bendigo’s larger employers – came from the Community Regional Industry Skills Program.

Streetscape comes alive

The Firebrace Streetscape Renewal project has completed the urban rehabilitation project carried out under the Urban Development Plan for Horsham.

The project for Firebrace Street –Horsham’s CBD main thoroughfare – was Horsham City Council’s main priority for infrastructure funding and was the result of extensive public and user consultation.

The design was endorsed by the traders group, user groups, and disability access groups and the completed sections have been very well received.

Final-stage works were completed in 2009 and included road improvements, paving, street furniture and landscaping in Firebrace Street from McLachlan to Baillie streets and between Roberts Avenue and McLachlan Street.

The funding was provided from the Living Regions Living Suburbs program.


Horsham investment boosts exports, jobs

Exports and jobs grew when a Horsham food company invested $4.5 million in a major expansion, creating 15 full-time jobs.

Australia Milling Group doubled the company’s capacity as it moved towards generating exports worth an estimated $20 million by 2011.

And Australia Milling Group becomes the largest lentil and pea splitting company in Australia.

The company’s investment doubles its workforce to 30 and introduces an Australian Brand of locally grown lentils to be processed into food products for export.

The company’s expansion plans include a state–of–the–art facility that will help diversify its product range and construction of a new processing plant and storage for finished and processed goods.

The expansion was supported by $250,000 from the Regional Investment Initiative and the Community Regional Industry Skills program.

Exports worth up to $100 million are expected in the long term and the new jobs will boost the local economy by up to $50 million.

About 90 per cent of pulses are grown in the Wimmera, so the expansion also benefits local farmers.

Chilling out in Daylesford

Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival is the biggest gay and lesbian community festival in regional Australia and the largest festival in Hepburn Shire.

The 2009 festival across the Labour Day long weekend in March was no exception, attracting about 25,000 people – including 5000 first-time visitors to Daylesford and surrounding towns - and pumping $8 million into the local economy.

ChillOut’s signature events are the Street Parade, the Dance Party at the Town Hall and Carnival Day all day Sunday in Victoria Park.

It also hosts a plethora of exhibitions, events and performances by local artists and community groups as well as active pursuits like golf, boot-scooting, horse-riding, mountain biking, bush-walking and bocce, creating a full four days of fun with a distinct country flavour.

A two-year $45,000 Provincial Victoria Local Events Program grant is helping ChillOut’s management committee further develop the event by extending the program to include a range of activities in neighbouring towns and villages and securing professional assistance to identify and develop a key new, major event for the Monday of the festival program.

The funding is also helping the festival committee preparing a series of manuals documenting

33 :: 32

Distribution centre drives new estate

A new industrial estate in Bendigo added to regional Victoria’s growing network of estates in the past year, with the first tenant adding nine new jobs to local employment.

PFD Food Services became the first tenant at the new $3.41 million Wellsford Estate, developed by the City of Greater Bendigo.

The $1.03 million distribution centre began operations with 29 workers, including the nine new jobs.

PFD Food Services is a national wholesale food distribution company that operates 10 distribution centres throughout Victoria.

All staff at the new distribution centre received specialist training, which was supported with a $20,000 grant through the Community Regional Industry Skills Program initiative to help the company meet its staffing and training needs.The 2740 square–metre centre, located on a 4410 square–metre site, includes an office and warehouse and concrete hardstand for truck loading and unloading.

The centre provides storage and distribution of frozen, chilled and dry or ambient temperature food products to central Victoria.

3.1Planting seeds for success

HVP Plantations Pty Ltd is the largest privately owned softwood forest company in Australia, with about 245,000 hectares of forest under management.

The nursery operation currently produces 4.25 million seedlings and injects around $1.4 million into the local economy through wages.

With the help of $150,000 from the Regional Investment Initiative, HVP Plantations is investing $10 million in a new greenhouse facility in Gelliondale, creating 11 full-time-equivalent positions.

The investment will create an innovative containerised forest-plant nursery, enabling the company to convert operations from a bare-rooted outdoor plant system to glasshouse-based container nursery.

The expanded nursery will produce more than 10 million plants per year and contribute $2.5 million into the local community.

The project will result in significant water savings, reduced use of chemicals, greater sustainability and more robust seedlings.

It will create substantial benefits for other regional business and secure the company’s nursery operations at the Gelliondale site.

Photo: HVP Plantations’ greenhouse facility in Gelliondale.


: 34 35 :

3.2 The Industry Investment group’s work contributed to more than $1.5 billion in regional investments, $149.6 million in exports and 1,956 new jobs.

The Industry Investment group focuses on investment attraction, improving the international competitiveness of companies, enhancing regional Victoria’s export performance and creating jobs.

In order to achieve this, the group delivers a range of business assistance services to facilitate investment and increase the number of innovative enterprises in regional Victoria.

In its work to strengthen the state’s industrial base, improve the business environment and promote resources, skills and capabilities across regional Victoria, the Industry Investment group uses a variety of Victorian Government programs including:

• Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP), which aims to generate industry development, new jobs, increased skills and improved services for rural and regional communities.

• Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund (GIIF), which provides funding to support industry development in Geelong in partnership with the Commonwealth Government.

• Industry Transition Fund (ITF), which supports companies that have the potential to move into new and emerging industries.

• Regional Investment Initiative (RII), which aims to attract and encourage investment in rural and regional Victoria.

• Regional Industry Investment Program (RIIP), which provides support for businesses intending to relocate to or significantly expand their operations through capital works in EC–declared regional areas.

The Industry Investment group also facilitates 18 cluster groups across regional Victoria.

Industry Investment

: 36 37 :

3.2Industry Investment

The group’s role in regional investments and expansions and through grants and facilitation included the following in 2008/09:

• A multi-million dollar industry alliance between Bega Cheese Limited and Kraft Foods that will create 150 new jobs, with Bega acquiring the Strathmerton factory in northern Victoria and Kraft providing a 10-year supply agreement.

• Excelior Pty Ltd’s upgrade of its contact centre within its existing Bendigo facility, securing over 120 local jobs.

• RPC Technologies Pty Ltd investing $27.5 million to developing a composite manufacturing facility in Geelong, creating 112 jobs.

• Bruck Textiles buying Melba Industries and relocating and integrating its business into Bruck’s Wangaratta operations, creating 50 new jobs.

• Midway Timber and Mitsui & Co investing $25 million in a hardwood chipping facility at Heywood, creating 35 jobs.

• Tristar Medical Group’s new centre in Eaglehawk that will create 30 jobs, including doctor and nurse positions.

• Australia Milling Group’s $4.5 million expansion of its Horsham facility, creating 15 new full time jobs, doubling the company’s existing capacity and generating exports worth an estimated $20 million by 2011.

• HVP Plantations Pty Ltd establishing a new $10 million nursery glasshouse, creating 11 full-time jobs at Gelliondale.

• PFD Food Services’ move to a new $1 million distribution centre in Bendigo, creating nine jobs.

A co-generation initiative, a magazine launch and promotion for the wine industry were among other regional support.

These activities included a $75,000 grant to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria to help grow and develop Victoria’s wine industry, positioning the Royal Melbourne Wine Show as Australia’s leading wine event.

Photo right: Australia Milling Group Managing Director Russell Greening.

39 :: 38

3.2Bigger Bega future for cheese plant

A Strathmerton factory is set to become Australia’s largest processed cheese plant after a multi-million dollar industry agreement created 150 new jobs there.

An alliance between Bega Cheese and Kraft Foods saw Bega acquire the Strathmerton factory in northern Victoria.

Under the alliance, Kraft is providing a 10-year supply agreement.

The alliance secured the future of the Strathmerton factory and its 195 workers.

The plant expansion provides an economic boost for Strathmerton community and important new job opportunities.

The companies’ investment in Strathmerton follows the Victorian Government’s development of a modernised irrigation system for the Food Bowl region of northern Victoria.

The $2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project will dramatically improve water delivery and efficiency by upgrading the region’s irrigation infrastructure with automated technology and repairing outdated channels.

The new infrastructure will underpin the region’s internationally competitive production.

This is expected to position the region for ongoing industry investment.

Bega’s Strathmerton factory processes 22,000 tonnes of product a year, which the company plans to increase to 55,000 tonnes in the next five years, with 20,000 tonnes to be exported.

Bega Cheese was established in 1899 as The Bega Co-operative. The company’s Bega facility now processes more than 165 million litres of milk a year.

Industry Investment

: 40 41 :

3.2

• providing a single focus for industry representation;

• increasing opportunities to address regional infrastructure concerns and cross border anomalies particular to the transport and logistics industries;

• identifying the education and training needs of the region’s industry; and

• creating and developing partnerships with related industry organisations in the key areas of research and development, education, distribution, promotion, information collection and dissemination.

Mildura Murray Darling Wine

The cluster is the lead wine industry organisation in north-west Victoria, with 52 members from wineries, supply chain businesses, education providers and research organisations.

The cluster is developing two major projects:

• a Mildura and District Wine, Beverage & Olive Industry Workforce Development Strategy, which is being supported with $100,000 through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Workforce Policy; and

• identifying opportunities for minimising energy and water use.

Northern Poultry

The cluster is developing long-term projects in:

• bio-energy;

• alternative litter;

• shedding and systems;

• value added products; and

• stockfeed partnerships;

Victoria’s regional clusters continued to increase their activities, generating investment, exports and jobs in their regions.

Industry Investment

Clusters – collaborating for jobs, innovation and competitiveness

Victoria’s regional clusters continued to increase their activities, generating investment, exports and jobs in their regions.

These clusters – supported by funds and/or facilitation – were among several reporting high activity:

Bendigo Equine Industry

In partnership with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society and City of Greater Bendigo, the cluster has developed plans to conduct a National Equine Expo in Bendigo in November 2009.

BioGeelong

The cluster has continued to expand biotechnology within the region, leading many successful projects which have grown industry employment by an estimated 50 biotech professionals.

AAHL has completed an upgrade of Grade 6 level lab space and has the best biotechnology animal health laboratory in the world. The cluster continues to attract investment into regional Victoria.

Geelong Engineering / R&D

After successfully completing the feasibility study for the Geelong multi-user facility, the cluster has worked with the Geelong Manufacturing

Council to develop proposals with input from key regional engineering firms. The cluster is advocating for significant engineering work with petrochemical, mining and defence organisations.

Geelong Food Co-Products

The cluster is engaging with major regional food producers to develop strategic partnerships for shelf stable seafood products and ready-to-heat supermarket-targeted products.

Geelong ICT

The cluster’s steering committee – which has completed feasibility studies and attracted funding from Multimedia Victoria – is aiming to increase exports and investment in the region to meet its target of 200 additional ICT jobs for the region by 2012.

Mildura Transport and Logistics

The cluster’s members include major regional transport companies, as well as the public and private transport providers (air, rail and bus), training providers, service industries and regional transport users.

The cluster is focussing on:

• increasing awareness and improving perception of the transport, distribution and logistics industry;

: 42 43 :

The Food and Beverage group drives the development, investment and expansion of Victoria’s food and beverage industry and its exports. 3.2Victoria has more than 2000 food processing firms producing a range of products from meat, dairy, wine and confectionery to oils, grains, fruit and vegetables.

The wine industry is worth an estimated $1.35 billion to the Victorian economy and comprises about 820 wine operations and 1600 grape growers.

The Victorian food sector accounts for one fifth of Victoria’s Gross State Product, 27 per cent of the state’s total goods exports, and 20 per cent of all Victorian manufacturing jobs. Victoria’s food processing accounts for 31 per cent of Australia’s total output.

RDV has officers based in each region of Victoria to build networks and relationships with the industry’s businesses and key stakeholders.

One of the Food and Beverage Group’s key objectives is to strengthen the Victorian food industry to maintain a competitive commercial advantage in domestic and international markets.

To achieve this, the industry is promoted and assisted through a range of business programs and services such as:

• Food Industry for a Regionally Sustainable Tomorrow (FIRST);

• Promoting to the Domestic Consumer;

• Targeted Trade and Investment Missions program;

• Regional Inward Buyer Mission Program;

• Networks to Success; and

• Farmers’ Markets.

Industry Investment Food and Beverage

Photo left: Matt McConnell, Bar Lourinha, Melbourne, which strongly features regional Victorian produce on its menu.

: 44 45 :

Regional Inward Buyer Mission Program

The Regional Inward Buyer Mission Program provides one-off grants to facilitate inward buyer missions to regional Victoria by overseas enterprises seeking business opportunities, with a focus on growing niche areas. In 2008/09, eight projects were approved with a total commitment of $74,400. As part of the Regional Inward Buyer Mission Program, VECCI has been funded to provide a series of export seminars and export related information for regional businesses.

Networks to Success

The Networks to Success Program aims to increase employment and create more competitive businesses in the domestic market. In 2008/09, the program provided $139,850 to seven projects. Highlights include the $30,000 King Valley Wine Industry & Market Development Program in March and the $25,000 Growing in Moorabool project for the Moorabool Shire in the Grampians region to help develop tools to promote the quality food and wine product and related tourism experiences across the region.

Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market Program aims to help develop Farmers’ Markets across Victoria to operate as economically sustainable community events to bring clean, green, local produce direct from farmer to consumer.

The program is delivered in partnership with the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association (VFMA). A key project in 2008/09 was the development and implementation of accreditation for Farmers’ Markets.

The Government also provided the VFMA with funding of $38,150 to showcase Victoria’s Farmers’ Markets at the 2008 Royal Melbourne Show.

FIRST Innovation Initiative

The $1 million FIRST Innovation Initiative seeks to encourage further innovation in the food industry in regional Victoria by supporting projects that aim to:

• increase the industry’s capacity to adapt to change;

• add value to existing industries;

• address an identified need or opportunity;

• enhance industry innovation in products, processes, services and markets;

• plan and develop sustainable food industry practices;

• improve export competitiveness;

• respond to emerging market trends; and

• develop niche market opportunities.

To be eligible for assistance under the FIRST Innovation Initiative, a proposal must demonstrate:

• that it supports further innovation in the food industry in regional Victoria;

• how it addresses one or more of the aims of the initiative; and

• it would be substantially delivered in regional Victoria.

Agribusiness Fund

The $650,000 Agribusiness Fund involves a $250,000 independent industry study and a $400,000 industry development program to help increase opportunities to secure large investments in new food and agribusiness ventures in regional Victoria.

The fund will assist the development of large-scale agribusiness in provincial Victoria, inform investors and overcome identified barriers to industry expansion, while the study will investigate the impact of large scale investments in provincial Victoria.

A preliminary report is expected to be completed late 2009.

The initiative is funded under the Moving Forward action plan as part of the Provincial Victoria Growth Fund.

Food Industry for a Regionally Sustainable Tomorrow (FIRST)

Funded under Moving Forward, the FIRST program has provided $3 million over three years (to June 2010) to support the future competitiveness and sustainability of Victoria’s food industry.

The FIRST program has a focus on building capability within regional Victoria’s food industry around five key action areas:

1. Innovation

2. Food for Life (developing a healthier food supply)

3. Industry capability

4. Supply chain development

5. International growth

In 2008/09, the FIRST program provided a total of $865,000 to 25 projects.

Projects included the Food Industry Needs Analysis, the Northern Victorian Poultry Cluster value-added project ($50,000) and the Riverland Oilseeds project for handling commercial volumes of Monola seed and oil ($48,000).

In 2008/09, the Food and Beverage Group assisted with a number of industry investments, company expansions and worked towards increasing exports.

Highlights included:

• the announcement of the $1 million FIRST Innovation Initiative;

• the announcement of the $650,000 Corporate Agribusiness Fund;

• the Put Victoria on Your Table campaign sponsorship of $400,000;

• assistance in the Bega Cheese – Kraft deal, which created 150 new jobs;

• the first Food Interdepartmental Committee was established;

• the Hofex trade fair in Hong Kong where 48 companies attended. Immediate sales of $1.75 million were secured and the anticipated export sales within 13–24 months are expected to exceed $8.5 million; and

• the Northern Poultry Cluster was funded $100,000.

Promoting to the Domestic Consumer

In 2008/09, RDV continued to deliver the Promoting to the Domestic Consumer Program encouraging the recognition and consumption of Victorian food and wine through promotional and educational activity – within Victoria and interstate.This program aims to grow and improve the economic viability of regional food businesses. It enables groups of firms, especially those working across a range of sectors to test, develop and expand new markets and educate targeted audiences. In 2008/09, the program provided a total of $348,000 to four projects. Highlights include the co-funding of the Put Victoria on Your Table campaign and the IGA Supermarket Promotion – A Taste of Regional Victoria, funded for $80,000.

Targeted Trade and Investment Mission Program

The Targeted Trade and Investment Mission Program helps regional Victorian businesses achieve greater export success. The program was allocated a budget of $900,000 over three years.

In 2008/09, the program provided a total of $473,440 to 13 projects. Highlights include:

• sponsorship of the Yarra Valley stand at the London Wine Show;

• Victorian food promotion to the food service market in Indonesia; and

• the horticulture development trade mission to Thailand.

3.2Industry Investment Food and Beverage

47 :: 46

The new state–wide campaign Put Victoria on your Table, showcased regional Victorian food and wine.

Northern Poultry Cluster

The Northern Poultry Cluster (NPC) received $50,000 under the Living Regions Living Suburbs to complete a number of projects which evolved into larger longer-term projects for the cluster. A grant of $50,000 was also funded out of FIRST for a value-added poultry project called Poultry Anytime.

Throughout 2008/09 the NPC has undertaken a work program that encompasses several long-term projects, in the areas of:

• Bio-Energy;

• Planning opportunities;

• Alternative litter;

• Shedding and systems;

• Stockfeed partnerships; and

• Value added products.

The projects will produce new products, systems and technology in the energy, stock feed, planning and engineering sectors.

The cluster includes more than 40 businesses, supports about 2000 jobs and generates more than $300 million into the regional economy.

Put Victoria on Your Table

A $400,000 sponsorship of a new state-wide Put Victoria on Your Table campaign to encourage Victorians to ‘choose Victorian’ during winter was announced in June 2009. Put Victoria on Your Table was a joint initiative between the Food and Beverage group, Melbourne Food and Wine and the Victorian Wine Industry Association to encourage consumer loyalty and boost sales across the Victorian food and wine sector.

The project involved a two-week intensive promotion consisting of:

• a Cellar Door event involving 80 wineries and gourmet food busineses at Crown Palladium;

• a Winter Restaurant Express promotion throughout metropolitan and regional restaurants promoting Victorian produce and wine;

• a Wine Weekend to encourage visits to regional wineries;

• retail wine tasting and point- of-sale promotions through major and independent liquor retailers; and

• advertising and promotions through trade and industry partners.

The campaign aimed to increase awareness and better educate consumers about the high quality food and wine produced in regional Victoria.

Taste Victoria

The 2009 edition of Taste Victoria magazine was launched at Bar Lourinha in Little Collins St, Melbourne. Taste Victoria is the leading annual publication promoting Victoria as Australia’s number one food state showcasing the best of Victorian food, wine and agribusiness.

The 48-page, colour magazine was developed by RDV and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and was distributed domestically and internationally to processors, buyers, distributors, retailers and industry stakeholders.

Food Inter-Departmental Committee

The first Food Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) was established with the inaugural meeting on 27 April 2009.

The Victorian Government Food IDC will seek to coordinate Government food activities and position Victoria’s food industries and communities to respond more effectively to a rapidly changing economic and social environment and the challenges and opportunities associated with a changing climate.

The departments involved in the Food IDC are:

• Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD);

• Department of Primary Industries (DPI);

• Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE);

• Department of Health (DoH);

• Department of Transport (DoT);

• Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC); and

• Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD).

3.2Industry Investment Food and Beverage

Photo: Regional Victoria’s high quality food and wine was featured in Put Victoria on Your Table, a campaign by Melbourne Food and Wine and the Victorian Wine Industry Association and sponsored by Regional Development Victoria. Laneways and Rooftops was part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

3.2Key Highlights

GULFOOD 2009 Middle East region’s largest and most important industry event of the year.

32 Victorian companies assisted.

FOODEX 200largest international food and beverage exhibition held in the North Asian region.


HOFEX 2009major international trade show targeting the ASEAN and southern China regions.


Gulfood — Dubai

Expanding on existing exports, particularly within the food service sector and major retail outlets, was identified as a key opportunity in the Middle East market at Gulfood in February. Victorian produce on display included meat (beef, lamb and mutton), dairy (cheese and powdered milk), confectionery, nuts and canned fruits.

Major United Arab Emirates-based business IFFCO, which manufactures and markets a range of consumer products, including food and beverages expressed good interest in Victorian companies that produced dairy, grain, lamb, vegetable and fruit products.

A number of other companies requested information on sourcing nuts such as almonds, pecans, macadamias, hazelnuts and chestnuts, while interest was expressed for meat, fresh and flavoured milk products, cheese, skim milk powder, juice concentrates, muffin mix and pre-mix flour.

Gulfoods also presented the opportunity to visit two of Dubai’s major supermarkets – Carrefour and Waitrose. Carrefour stocks a small amount of Australian beef, while Waitrose had a small Victorian presence in dairy products through Kraft and Lemnos.

Foodex — Japan

Foodex Japan is the largest international food and beverage exhibition in the north Asian region. Victorian food and beverage products on display included dairy, wine, liqueur, asparagus, spices, salt and waffles.

Victorian produce attracted attention from Japanese, Korean and Philippine buyers and investors.

The companies on show were satisfied with the response to their products and expect sales from participating at the event.

At Foodex for the first time, meetings were held between the Victorian Government and some of Japan‘s largest food and beverage companies, due largely to the work of RDV’s Food and Beverage Group. The companies included Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin and Wagoen. Interest was expressed in the beverage and hydroponics sectors.

Industry InvestmentFood and BeverageInternational Market

49 :: 48

: 50 51 :

3.2Horticulture mission to Thailand and Vietnam

An outbound delegation consisting of eight Victorian horticulture companies, with export capabilities and experience travelled to Thailand and Vietnam to visit the retail sector.

Companies visited retail outlets, fruit and vegetable markets, attended meetings with international buyers and hosted a networking function.

This mission evolved following the success of an Inbound Mission in February. The aim was to build Victoria’s horticultural exports to the retail sector in the Thailand and Vietnam markets.

Food service promotion in Indonesia

A group of eight Victorian agrifood exporting companies went to Indonesia with the help of RDV, targeting the food service sector in Bali and Jakarta. The mission promoted Victoria’s quality, fresh and gourmet food and is expected to increase Victoria’s agrifood exports by up to $3 million in five years.

The delegation of companies from Victoria’s dairy, meat, horticulture and specialty foods industries were involved in a series of business meetings, networking and promotional activities with qualified importers and distributors to promote Victoria’s food sector.

Food ingredients trade mission to Thailand

Five companies participated in the outward mission of Victorian food ingredient producers to Bangkok, Thailand as part of Food Ingredients Asia.

Food Ingredients Asia is the most important food ingredients show in south-east Asia, attracting 7500 companies and buyers from the region and beyond.

Exhibiting at this event has provided the Victorian companies with the opportunity to introduce their products to one of the fastest growing regions in the world and generate new business. The companies are now more aware of the new trends and developments within south-east Asia.

After meeting ingredients buyers and other key decision makers from the region and beyond, it is expected that the companies who attended will generate up to $3 million of additional business within the region, in other parts of Asia and in the Middle East.

Dairy genetics trade mission to Malaysia and Sri Lanka

This mission involved promoting Victoria’s dairy industry, while assisting AgVet Projects consortium secure dairy livestock export contracts.

The delegation attended the Malaysian Agriculture Horticulture and Agro-Tourism Show, met Sri Lankan agents and private customers and visited livestock importing facilities and proposed farm sites.

The mission also aimed to build a relationship with the Sri Lankan Government and secure credibility and preference for Victoria to supply the growth in the Sri Lankan dairy industry. The project has strengthened export market relationships and the provision of livestock and animal husbandry expertise developed for the dairy industry will act as a catalyst for further interest in AgVet Projects consortium. Niche market opportunities were also identified during the mission.

A ‘Toast to Taste’ in Philippines

A Toast to Taste is a food service industry event where buyers from the food service industry, retailers and supermarkets attend. Nine Victorian companies were matched to a Philippine-based deli company’s requirements. To begin introducing products from Victoria to the deli company’s target market segments in Manila, the products were displayed at A Toast to Taste.

This event has provided a major path to market for high-end Victorian food businesses into the Philippines.

HOFEX — Hong Kong

Victoria’s tasty delights hit a note in Hong Kong in May this year with $1.75 million of sales secured at Hong Kong.

In the next 13 to 24 months, exports are expected to exceed $8.5 million.

Forty-eight Victorian companies exhibited at the event, with a further 35 companies promoted through the display of their product. The vast array of products included seafood, olive oil, bakery goods, dairy products, snack foods, dried fruit, muesli, beverages like fruit juice and beef, poultry, lamb, veal and nutritional items.

The event helped raise the profile of the Victorian food and beverage industry and assisted the companies to capture export opportunities. As a result several of the region’s newspapers featured stories on Victoria’s food and beverage industry.

National Restaurant Association of America (NRA) — Chicago

Two of North America’s largest food service companies, Dietz & Watson and Sid Wainer & Son, food distributor and retailer, Whole Foods, and executive chefs from the Hilton and Kimpton groups expressed keen interest in a number of Victorian products at NRA in May.

Victoria’s products on show at the NRA event included bio-organic

condiments, specialty cheeses, olives and flavour infused oil, regional Victorian wines, health products and selected beef and lamb products.

London Wine Show

RDV’s Food and Beverage Group contributed $50,000 to sponsor a Yarra Valley stand at the London Wine Show in June. Funded out of the Targeted Trade and Investment Missions Program, the stand gave Yarra Valley operators the opportunity to showcase their high-quality and diverse wines.

Victorian Wine Industry participation in the fair also included an editorial in Harpers, one of the main wine trade magazines, and key one-on-one meetings with wine journalists.

The funding was part of RDV’s response to help wineries affected by the February bushfires and dispel any concerns about the impact of the bushfires on Victorian wine.

Winter Fancy Foods Trade Fair — San Francisco

Nine food companies represented Victoria at the Winter Fancy Foods Trade Fair in San Francisco in January. Products on show included cheese, confectionery, condiments, olive oil and crackers.

RDV provided on-the-ground support to the Victorian exhibitors, which included a mix of companies with a foothold in the market, as well as newcomers to the US.

Feedback from the exhibiting companies was positive, with all expecting to gain future business from new contacts. A targeted, pre-fair media campaign and the G’Day USA promotion week, helped to gain visitor interest in the Victorian exhibitors.

MISSIONS

Inbound mission from New Zealand — speciality foods

Three New Zealand importers and distributors toured a range of gourmet specialty food manufacturers in central and north-east Victoria, sampling all things from olive oil and preserves to biscuits and cheese.

Central Victoria and the north-east are renowned for their gourmet produce and RDV’s inbound buying mission was part of a push to showcase Victorian products to nearby export markets to increase the state’s exports.

The buyers met with 42 food businesses (38 regionally based) and the visit resulted in sales of meat, cheese and gourmet products.

The buyers – from Herb and Spice Mill, The Pesto Company and high–profile NZ restaurateur and food supply business owner Simon Gault already buy Victorian produce and were interested in expanding.

Industry InvestmentFood and BeverageInternational Market

: 52 53 :

3.2Domestic trade events

RDV supported a number of domestic trade events in 2008/09, including Restaurant 08 in Melbourne and Sydney and Restaurant 09 in Melbourne, which had an organic theme. This trade event is the only one dedicated to the restaurant and café industry looking for new ingredients and products for their menus. The other major domestic event that RDV facilitated a number of companies to attend was Fine Foods 2008 in Melbourne.

RDV supported 13 key international buyers to visit Fine Foods. A delegation of 11 buyers from Japan’s food service sector toured regional Victoria to gain an understanding and first-hand experience of the Victorian food processing sector with the view of establishing additional markets in the state. As part of the program the buyers also participated in a mini trade fair in Melbourne where 19 Victorian companies promoted their food and wine. Meetings between Victorian food companies and buyers from Hong Kong and Macau were also facilitated as part of Fine Foods.

Dairy Innovation Australia Limited (DIAL) hosted the fourth International Symposium on Spray Dried Dairy Products, which was supported by RDV through FIRST, while the Australian Speciality Cheesemakers received support from RDV for their annual show.

The event encompassed an industry technical seminar day, show judging and awards dinner and public tasting and educational day.

South-west dairy

A 10-year strategic plan for the State’s south-west dairy region was supported with a $45,000 grant to Westvic Dairy Inc under the FIRST program.

A $75 million dairy manufacturing facility at Warrnambool opened in May. Great Ocean Ingredients – a joint venture between Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory and Dutch multi-national dairy company Royal Friesland Campina – will produce ingredients for baby formulas, employing up to 25 staff and producing sales of around $35 million.

Provincial Food Retail Initiative

The Provincial Food Retail Initiative was developed as part of the Promoting to the Domestic Consumer Program, in collaboration with Champions IGA and three regional food industry clusters (auspiced by the City of Greater Geelong). The initiative provided small-to-medium regional Victorian businesses with premium retail space and exposure in a major regional retail IGA supermarket chain.

The initiative is giving 19 Victorian food companies the opportunity to sell their products at seven of Champions IGA supermarkets, including Melbourne’s CBD, metropolitan Melbourne and in regional centres around Geelong, Bendigo and Bacchus Marsh.

Food processing technologies skills project

This project, delivered with Food Science Australia, will enable final-year food science students from Victoria’s five major universities to spend time with food processing companies in regional Victoria.

The project is being led by Food Technology Association of Australia, Ballarat University, Melbourne University, Victoria University of Technology, RMIT and Deakin University.

The aim of the one-year project is to increase the students’ awareness of regional Victoria and its food processing capabilities and opportunities, expose them to industry processes and improve their work readiness.

Industry InvestmentFood and Beverage

Domestic Market

Key Highlights — Food

Key Highlights — Beverages

RDV provided $200,000 funding for final year Food Science students to visit regional Victorian food processing facilities

Riverland Oilseeds, Numurkah (northern Victoria) received a FIRST grant of $48,000 supporting a $1.1 million investment and design and implementation of facilities for handling of commercial volumes of Monola see and oil

The Provincial Food Retail Initiative – was established with funding of $80,000

Burra Foods, Korrumburra (Gippsland) received $40,000 to train staff in new process and increase productivity and global competitiveness

Vegco, Bairnsdale, (East Gippsland) received $40,000 to train existing staff to fulfil middle level management roles and address the lack of capacity in attracting staff to that level of management

PFD Food Services’ moved to a new $1 million distribution centre in Bendigo, creating nine new jobs

$46,000 over two years (2008 and 2009) for sponsorship of the Federation Square Victorian Wine Region Showcase

Ministerial Wine Industry Advisory Group established in January 2009

$16,950 under the Network to Success Program for the fourth edition of The Beer Lover’s Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries

$10,000 to Donny Boy Fresh Food Pty Ltd under the First Step Exporter Program

55 :: 54

• $8,000 was provided under the Promoting to the Domestic Consumer Program for the 2009 Federation Square Microbreweries Showcase. There are two showcases each year which are used as a tool to promote Victoria’s growing microbrewery industry and increase awareness of the industry.

• RDV provided funding of $10,000 to Donny Boy Fresh Food Pty Ltd (trading as Preshafood) under the First Step Exporter Program to help enter the overseas market. The Donny Boy Fresh Food Company $1.4 million High Pressure Processing Facility opened in April. The first of its kind in Australia, the High Pressure Processing Facility processes juices cold, using a revolutionary technique that retains nutrients, preserves flavour, texture, vitamins, colour and smell, allowing juices to retain 85 per cent of vitamins, compared with only 45 per cent through hot pasteurization methods.

ORGANICS

Victorian Organic Sector Action Plan, FIRST, $40,000

Funding under its Food Innovation for a Regional Sustainable Tomorrow (FIRST) program supported the

development of a Victorian Organic Sector Action Plan.

The plan is to provide direction for the profitable and sustainable growth of the organic sector in Victoria.

The action plan was developed in consultation with the newly formed Victorian Organic Industry Committee (VOICe) and is the culmination of extensive input from across the sector. The plan identifies key opportunities for the production of organic food in Victoria and suggests clear actions to assist growth. The priority actions identified in the plan were leadership development, data collection, marketing and awareness and supply chain development.

Supply chain analysis organic beef & lamb, Future Farming Systems, $24,950

This supply chain analysis has been commissioned to map the current supply chain and identify the gaps and develop a detailed plan to address them.

Victorian Organic Products Directory, Future Farming Systems, $40,000

The 2009 Victorian Organic Products Directory is an updated second edition featuring more than 400 certified organic businesses, including the products and services of growers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and input providers.

The directory was developed to provide the organic sector with a tool for export promotion, trade fairs and missions and a valuable reference for organic producers, suppliers and potential customers.

It is designed to boost domestic and international demand for products and strengthen supply chains.

Equine Program

Under the Provincial Victoria Growth Fund, was provided $100,000 to fund initiatives to boost Victoria’s equine sector.

The initiative aims to elevate the Victorian equine industry to a leading position in Australia.

Growth in the Victorian equine sector will be facilitated through a number of initiatives, including the development of industry clusters, assistance for overseas trade missions and assistance for inward buyer missions.

Increased sales and exports in this important and growing industry will lead to increased investment and jobs in provincial Victoria.

One of the initiatives included sponsoring the Victorian Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stallions publication.

3.2Beverages

• $46,000 over two years (2008 and 2009) for sponsorship of the Federation Square Victorian Wine Region Showcase. The Showcase features public wine tastings from different Victorian wine regions each month at Melbourne’s Federation Square and culminates in an annual awards event for Victoria’s best wines.

• The Victorian Wine Industry Diagnostic was released in October. Its aim is to gain an understanding of the current global market and context in which the Victorian wine industry must develop. The project aims to identify the optimal value adding opportunities for the Victorian Government and to clarify industry stakeholders’ perspectives on these.

• Established in January, the Ministerial Wine Industry Advisory Group seeks to provide expert industry advice on key issues and activities affecting the Victorian wine industry. The overall objective for the group is to provide direct dialogue with the Minister for Regional and Rural Development that facilitates options for the positive advancement of Victoria’s wine industry.

• The North East Valleys Food and Wine Group (covering the regions of Alpine Valleys, Beechworth, Glenrowan, King Valley and

Rutherglen), along with the RDV Food Group and the Rural City of Wangaratta, hosted the 2008 Regional Produce Summit in October 2008. Attracting more than 120 participants, the annual networking event aims to inform key stakeholders of the latest industry trends.

• A highly successful wine tasting and lunch was held for three Wine Australia Scholarship winners from China and South Korea in March. The scholarship aims to foster Australian wine ambassadors who will promote and source Australian wines, in addition to educating fellow staff in the company’s in which they work. Eleven Victorian wineries were involved in the event.

• $16,950 was provided under the Network to Success Program for the fourth edition of The Beer Lover’s Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries. The guide describes the craft beers produced at Victoria’s 35 microbreweries and also details the history of each business and is used as a tourist guide.

• $7,500 was provided to the 2009 Australian International Beer Awards Presentation Dinner under the FIRST program. This is the only event where the whole industry across Australia can come together to network and be informed and updated about international trends and brewing standards.

Industry InvestmentFood and Beverage

Domestic Market

: 56 57 :

3.3The Infrastructure group supports the development of modern, high quality infrastructure to create more liveable, productive and sustainable communities for regional and rural Victorians.

The group is also responsible for providing strategic policy advice on infrastructure from a regional perspective.

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund

The Infrastructure group administers the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The RIDF provides the building blocks of economic and community development, from the energy, water and transport infrastructure required for industry to flourish, to the creation of new tourism and cultural facilities to boost jobs and liveability in provincial Victoria. The RIDF was the first and is still the only dedicated fund for regional infrastructure anywhere in Australia.

About the RIDF

The fund aims to:

• develop infrastructure that enhances economic growth in provincial Victoria through job creation, promotion of investment and export opportunities and the development of thriving, innovative industries;

• support capital works that create more liveable towns and resilient, confident communities in provincial Victoria;

• provide greater equality of access to infrastructure and services across the State;

• mitigate the impact of environmental change and equip regional and rural communities to respond to these challenges; and

• provide leadership and a strategic approach to the development of infrastructure through partnerships with regional communities and other levels of government.

Infrastructure for liveable, productive and sustainable communities.Infrastructure

The soon-to-open Gippsland Water Factory is being constructed with funding from the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.

59 :: 58

3.3 Infrastructure for liveable, productive and sustainable communities.

Within each of the priority areas, a range of sub-programs has been developed to target funding in particular areas of need. More information on the current RIDF sub-programs can be found on page 62.

There is detailed information on the Small Towns Development Fund (STDF), a major sub–program of the RIDF, on page 74.

Funding is not restricted to these priority areas and sub-programs, but can also be provided through the general RIDF fund, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in the types of projects supported.

Liveable

Education and ICT

The RIDF has contributed funding to new buildings and infrastructure on university campuses, research and innovation centres, and ICT infrastructure to help drive growth in emerging industries and equip regions for an increasingly globalised and knowledge-based economy. This infrastructure investment has also helped to address skills shortages, creating vibrant and creative communities, and keep young people in provincial Victoria by providing local education options.

Arts, culture and community

The RIDF upgrades arts and cultural facilities, community centres and improvements to public spaces, which all contribute to the liveability of provincial Victoria, helping to attract and retain residents and bring new tourism visitors.

Infrastructure

Funding priorities

The fund supports capital works in the following priority areas.

Productive

Transport

Regional economies must be able to connect with the rest of the country and the world if they are to produce and export goods and services efficiently. From upgrading regional airports to key road and rail freight routes, the RIDF is helping to improve supply chain connections for regional industry. Safe and efficient transport is also essential for tourism and the quality of life of residents of provincial Victoria, who need to be able to access education, health care and other community services.

Tourism

New and improved tourism infrastructure supports the growth of tourism and provides flow-on benefits to businesses in a range of sectors. Tourism attractions also enhance the attractiveness and liveability of communities for visitors and residents alike.

Industry development

The attraction of industry and business to provincial Victoria is influenced by a range of factors including the availability of industrial land that is serviced by vital infrastructure such as water, energy, roads and ICT technology. The RIDF assists councils to develop industrial land/estates and provides a range of other support to promote the growth of industry, including the important agricultural sector.

Sustainable

Water

In an environment of climate change and ongoing drought, the fund provides infrastructure that enables more efficient water management and re-use opportunities, in order to preserve town water supplies and secure the competitiveness and sustainability of industry.

Energy

Efficient production relies on a strong and stable energy supply, which the RIDF has provided for many businesses by upgrading electricity infrastructure and extending the natural gas network. The fund is also playing a key role in the adoption of green energy and the efficient use of energy resources.

: 60 61 :

RIDF funding arrangements and budget

The RIDF commenced operation in July 2000, having been established through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Act 1999 as a Trust Fund in the Public Account.

The establishment of the RIDF as a Trust Fund enables funding to be held in trust to meet project funding commitments as they fall due while at the same time allocating annual budget provisions to new capital works projects.

The Victorian Government provided an initial allocation of $180.68 million to the fund, with further funding of $180 million announced in 2002. In 2005, the Government allocated an additional $200 million to the RIDF as part of its Provincial Victoria Economic Statement, Moving Forward. Subsequent Budget announcements have increased the fund to $611 million for the period up to 30 June 2010.

In 2008/09, $48 million of RIDF funding was announced towards 63 infrastructure projects with a total project cost of $111 million, including investment from other public and private sector sources.

From its establishment to 30 June 2009, the fund has committed $466 million towards 255 infrastructure projects with a total value of $1.32 billion of new investment in provincial Victoria.

Photo: The Capital Theatre, Bendigo is being upgraded with RIDF funding.

3.3Economic benefits of the RIDF: growing regional economies and communities

As part of the Government’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation of its programs, in 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was contracted to evaluate the fund’s economic impact on provincial Victoria.

The evaluation found that RIDF funding for infrastructure development had provided significant benefits to regional economies and the entire state, with increases in investment, employment, household consumption, export values and income volumes.

In summary, the key findings were that:

• RIDF-funded infrastructure projects completed between 2001 and 2007 created 393 full-time jobs a year and added an average of $10.9 million annually to the Gross State Product (GSP)during their construction period;

• once operational, the infrastructure boosted employment in provincial Victoria by nearly 4,000 jobs (3,896) on average each year and now adds an extra $116.5 million annually to Victoria’s GSP;

• RIDF-funded infrastructure has been developed and jointly funded with a range of partners,

including local government, the private sector, the Federal Government, ports, water and energy authorities, education providers, tourism bodies and community organisations. 65 per cent of project partners said their project would not have proceeded without the RIDF contribution, which created the confidence to leverage investment from other levels of government and the private sector. The direct leverage ratio for every RIDF dollar was $2.47;

• the direct economic benefits generated by the infrastructure projects studied far outweighed the costs – with every RIDF dollar spent generating $4.13 worth of economic benefits; and

• some projects, such as social infrastructure, by their nature do not deliver significant tangible economic benefits, however they provide important social capital benefits to communities that may also contribute to the creation of economic value over the longer term.

The complete Pricewaterhouse Coopers report – Evaluation of the Economic Impact of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (August 2008) – including breakdowns of economic impacts by region, is available on the Regional Development Victoria website at www.rdv.vic.gov.au.

InfrastructureInfrastructure for liveable, productive and sustainable communities.

: 62 63 :

3.3RIDF PROGRAM 2008/09 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Provincial Pathways Program

Project announcements:

The Great Ocean Walk Improvement Project ($871,970) and the Wangaratta to Everton loop trail ($400,000).

Regional Aviation Fund


Mildura Airport Upgrade — $5.72 million

Ballarat Airport Upgrade — $3.43 million

Warrnambool Airport Upgrade Stage 2 — $0.49 million

Yarrawonga Airport — $0.55 million

Regional Electrical Access Program


Yackandandah Jam and Preserving Company $50,000 upgrade to three phase power.

$91,993 to Mountain H2O for an electrical upgrade project.

Stock Over/ Underpasses Road

Safety Program

During the year ended 30 June 2009 a total of $793,000 was provided to 36 completed underpass projects bringing total expenditure to $8.9 million for 430 underpass projects since the commencement of the program in 2001.

Water for Industry Initiative


$330,370 grant to North East Water, Wodonga for keystone infrastructure works to provide access to recycled water by local industry.

$198,500 grant to Ceres Natural Foods, Drouin to capture and reuse process water resulting in a 50% reduction in the company’s potable water demand.

Water and Energy Efficiency

Program


$990,000 grant to Midfield Meats, Warrnambool to install a cogeneration unit to produce both electricity and heat resulting in an 80% reduction in the company’s grid electricity demand.

InfrastructureRIDF Programs

RIDF PROGRAM 2008/09 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Biofuels Infrastructure

Program


$2 million for Biodiesel Producers Limited for a biodiesel blending infrastructure facility.

Building Arts and Cultural

Infrastructure


$950,000 for the redevelopment of the Hamilton Arts Precinct;

$650,000 for the upgrade of the Capital Theatre in Bendigo;

$990,000 for works at the Ballarat Art Gallery; and

$2.53 million for the upgrade of the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul.

Projects completed:

Shepparton Eastbank upgrade project.

Stage 1 of the Hamilton Arts Precinct.

Intermodal Freight Infrastructure

Program


Goulburn Valley Freight & Logistics Centre Stage 1—$2 million

Local Roads to Market Program and Farm Gate

Access Scheme


29 individual local roads projects across 16 separate councils for a total of $3.96 million.

53 farm gates were completed during 08/09 for total grants of over $97,000.

Local Ports Infrastructure


Close to $5 million to upgrade local ports at Port Campbell, Warrnambool, Mallacoota, Westernport (Rhyll and San Remo), Port Welshpool and Port Albert, and the Gippsland Lakes to support Victoria’s vibrant commercial fishing, recreational boating and allied industries.

Natural Gas Extension Program

Connections:

Connections of first customers in four towns – Lang Lang, Korumburra, Leongatha and Wonthaggi.

33 towns successfully connected under the $70 million Natural Gas Extension Program.

On–Farm Energy Grant Program

Announcement of $1.8 million grants each to Powercor and SP AusNet for upgrading SWER or single phase electricity to three phase for farmers.

: 64 65 :

Building infrastructure for liveable, productive and sustainable communities.3.3Investing in modern, high quality infrastructure helps create more liveable, productive and sustainable regional and rural communities.

RIDF–funded infrastructure helped support jobs, investments and exports in regional communities during 2008/09.

Roads to growth

Efficient transport helps keep regional and rural Victorian produce competitive.

Freight haulage in Australia is projected to double by 2020 and road transport is expected to handle the brunt of this growth. The use of Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV) such as B-doubles must keep growing.

Upgrading regional roads and intersections to allow safe and efficient movement of these vehicles is a major initiative. The Local Roads to Markets Program helps councils fund widening and other works to strategically important local roads and intersections. The dairy, timber, grain and horticulture/processed foods sectors are a focus of the program. Funding is available to councils for up to half the project cost. In 2008/09, $3.96 million was announced for 29 local roads projects across 16 councils.

Along with road improvements, access into farms for HPFV also is being upgraded. Fifty-three farm gates have been upgraded with grants worth more than $97,000 through the related RIDF Local Roads to Market Farm Gate Access Scheme in 2008/09.

Managed by VicRoads, the scheme provides grants to primary producers for improved on-farm entrances for HPFV access.

The Local Roads to Market and Farm Gate Access schemes have replaced the earlier Local Dairy Roads/Farm Gate Access schemes, through which 16 local roads and 147 farm gates were upgraded specifically to benefit the dairy industry.

InfrastructureRIDF at Work

: 66 67 :

3.3Passenger numbers had been growing steadily since the 1960s and by the 1990s, the original terminal building was becoming increasingly inadequate. A new terminal extension was constructed, doubling the floor space to 1000 square metres. Other works included expanding the baggage handling area and resurfacing runways, aprons and taxiways.

Honouring our Goldfields heritage buildings

The Ballaarat Mechanics Institute, one of Ballarat’s finest examples of goldfields architecture, is being restored to become a cultural and educational hub.

The restoration – backed by a $3 million RIDF grant – will feature an extensive library, heritage centre and 350-seat performance and meeting space.

The Ballarat Art Gallery is being restored to create a more flexible function/exhibition space and a new cafe/shop. The gallery is already home to a significant permanent collection of 19th century European and early Australian works and will attract more visiting exhibitions.

A $990,000 RIDF grant is backing the restoration.

The restoration “show” was still running at the Capital Theatre, Bendigo, one of the city’s most iconic buildings (pictured page 60).

The latest upgrade – a $1.4 million initiative backed by $650,000 from RIDF’s Building Arts and Cultural Facilities Program – will help increase patronage as well as improve comfort, access and amenity at the 480-seat performing arts centre.

Exciting programs of live theatre, music, comedy and dance already attract 47,000 patrons a year.

The first stage of the redevelopment, completed early this year, created a café/bar and art gallery in the building’s basement.

The area had been unused for the past 20 years because of rising damp. The basement café created 12 jobs and offers dining to theatre patrons.

The next stage of the project will include repairs to the building’s classical, heritage-listed façade and improvements to customer amenity and access, including a climate control system and a lift providing access to the theatre level.

The Capital and the neighbouring Bendigo Art Gallery, one of Australia’s largest and oldest regional art galleries, form the centrepiece of the city’s View Street arts precinct.

The precinct includes a cluster of boutique galleries, cafés and antique shops, as well as the Latrobe University Visual Arts Centre, which was also constructed with RIDF assistance.

The theatre has a distinguished history, beginning as a Masonic Hall in 1873 as the second largest hall in Victoria, after the Melbourne Town Hall.


Boost for busiest airport

Victoria’s largest and busiest regional airport is being upgraded through the Regional Aviation Fund, equipping the airport for a new era of regular jet services, which were started last year by a commercial airline. The RIDF is contributing $5.72 million towards these latest works at Mildura Airport, which will strengthen the airport’s surface infrastructure and passenger screening facilities to the level required for jet and larger turbo propeller aircraft services.

Regular jet services increase the accessibility, affordability and comfort of travel for residents and the increasing number of visitors discovering the region’s many attractions, such as the Murray River, a focal point for riverfront redevelopment.

Mildura is Victoria’s most isolated regional centre and its airport is of strategic importance for the city’s strong economy characterised by the region’s large agriculture and food processing industries.

The airport provides a vital commercial link between Mildura, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, servicing 170,000 passengers a year with demand growing.

RIDF funding has backed development of the airport, which was established in 1942 as a RAAF training centre. In 2004 the fund provided $600,000 to Mildura Rural City Council towards a $1.4 million upgrade.

Ballaarat Mechanics Institute

: 68 69 :

Serving up water savings Gippsland Water Factory

The Victorian Government has partnered with Gippsland Water to build the $209 million Gippsland Water Factory in Maryvale.

The Gippsland Water Factory (GWF) will treat up to 35 million litres of domestic and industrial wastewater per day and provide about eight million litres of high quality recycled water for use by local industry, saving about three billion litres of potable water a year.

Aside from the 300 locals employed during construction, the GWF has

already helped increase industry investment and jobs in the region.

Its large wastewater treatment capacity has enabled the expansion of the Australian Paper pulp mill in Maryvale.

Along with domestic wastewater from nine local towns, Australian Paper’s wastewater will be treated by the GWF. High quality recycled water will be purchased by the mill for re-use in its operations.

The Government contributed $25 million from the RIDF and $25 million through the Victorian Water Trust to help fund the project.

McCain Foods

Ballarat’s largest water user and one of regional Victoria’s major employers is saving 154 megalitres of water a year – the equivalent of the water used by several hundred households.

McCain Foods halved its water use with a water-efficiency project backed by $635,000 from the RIDF.

The company is recycling water, using efficient new equipment and eliminating water waste in the food production process.

3.3Powering up regional companies

A company that produces and markets its own range of natural spring water products has received one of the first grants to boost electrical access in regions – and added seven new jobs to its workforce of 26.

Mountain H2O used the Regional Electrical Access Program (REAP) grant to upgrade 14 kilometres of power line to its factory in Kancoona South in Victoria’s north-east.

Mountain H2O also provides a contract bottling service for other companies.

Increased power capacity has enabled the company to expand its bottling plant and manufacture bottles on site, instead of transport empty bottles from Melbourne.

Other businesses and residents along the upgraded powerline will also benefit from the increased electricity capacity.

The REAP initiative recognises that the cost of new and upgrading electrical connections in regional locations can be much greater than a similar project in urban areas.

The REAP provides a grant of up to half of the customer’s contribution towards an upgrade if the project results in new powerlines or additional capacity on existing powerlines that will benefit surrounding properties.

Upgrading on–farm energy

Modern farming technology systems such as irrigation systems and milk cooling vats require high grade electricity supply infrastructure.

The $4 million On–Farm Energy Grant Program aims to help farms operate more efficiently and grow by upgrading electricity infrastructure to handle the higher demands.

Farmers can apply for funding of up to half the cost of upgrading high-voltage poles, pole-top structures, conductors, transformers and cables.

Colin Gamble was the first applicant to receive funding through the program, which he used to install three-phase electricity at his dairy farm in Bamawm, a small farming district near Echuca. Mr Gamble said his farm had grown from 100 acres to 300 in recent years, meaning the single-phase supply could no longer provide sufficient power to meet the farm’s requirements.

With the electricity upgrade, the farm has increased production.

REVITALISING NAGAMBIE

A new lakeside residential, tourism and commercial precinct is expected to double Nagambie’s population by 2015.

The town centre is being rejuvenated to prepare for this new era.

The RIDF has provided $2.385 million to build a network of pathways and landscaped areas connecting the lake with the town centre.

The $250 million, 49-hectare lakeside development will include residential lots, a retirement village, restaurants, shops, a hotel/conference centre and a tourist park.


: 70 71 :

A study in redevelopment

The opening of the Dennys Lascelles Woolstore – after a $37 million redevelopment backed by $6 million from the RIDF – has allowed the landmark six-storey building cater for up to 1000 additional students. The historic woolstore buildings are the centrepiece of Deakin’s Geelong Waterfront Campus.

The Dennys Lascelles Woolstore houses two schools:

• the Alfred Deakin Institute, an interdisciplinary teaching and research centre offering courses in political science, public policy and governance, international relations, globalisation and journalism; and

• the Deakin Geelong Health Precinct offering courses in nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. All these fields are experiencing skills shortages, particularly in regional areas.

The building also includes a mix of retail, professional and commercial spaces, and promotes public access with walkways through to the waterfront precinct, public transport, and Geelong’s central business area.

The RIDF has assisted with several projects to improve Deakin’s facilities as the university continues to expand its course offerings and research capabilities.

Step up for great walk

A series of improvements to the Great Ocean Walk – the pedestrian equivalent of the Great Ocean Road – will soon add to the experience of walking the iconic coastline.

New tracks, bridges and a viewing point will link the trail to the Twelve Apostles and improved signage and seats will be placed along the way.

The Victorian Government is contributing $1.3 million to the project, including $871,970 through the RIDF Provincial Pathways Program.

The walk, which opened in 2006, attracts visitors from across Australia and internationally.

Tasty trail

A $400,000 grant from the Provincial Pathways Program is adding a new loop to one of Victoria’s most popular rail trails. The 94–kilometre Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is getting an alternative shorter loop ride on the Wangaratta to Oxley/Everton section, giving trail users the opportunity to visit the wine and cheese producers of the Milawa Gourmet Region. The trail has been developed in stages since the late 1990s.

In 2006, the RIDF contributed $495,000 towards completing the Murray Link – the nine-kilometre stretch from Rutherglen to Wahgunyah on the Murray River.

Rail trails are giving new life to old, disused railway lines.

Converted into wide shared pathways for walkers and cyclists, the trails provide visitors and locals with a relaxed way to get around and enjoy regional Victoria’s world-class food and wine, historic townships and beautiful scenery.

3.3Modern showpiece for city of history

In a regional city famous for its historic buildings, the new Bendigo and Adelaide Bank headquarters stands out in Bendigo as a showpiece of modern architecture.

The six-storey, $100 million Bendigo Centre (right) is the only headquarters of an Australian bank to be located outside a capital city, and one of the first Five Green Star buildings to be constructed in a regional city.

The construction project was one of the largest in Bendigo’s history. One hundred construction workers were employed and 300 new long-term jobs were created after the building opened late last year. The centre accommodates 1000 employees across two buildings linked by a glass-walled skywalk.

Surrounding the centre is a complex of new retail stores, cafes and restaurants, and public infrastructure developed with funding from the Bendigo Bank and a RIDF grant of $3 million provided to the City of Greater Bendigo.

This new community meeting place includes the Lyric Square piazza and performance space (named after the Lyric Theatre that once occupied the site), two new landscaped laneways connecting Bath Lane and High Street, and a timber-decked, wharf style promenade over the Bendigo Creek.


Bendigo’s Centre of Attention

The Bendigo Centre is the new headquarters of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. The building and surrounding public infrastructure were constructed with assistance from the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.

One of the first Five Green Star buildings to be constructed in a regional city, the project created 100 jobs during the construction period and, once opened, enabled the bank to increase employee numbers in Bendigo by 300 to 1000. Surrounding the Bendigo Centre is a new retail, cafe and restaurant precinct, complemented by a piazza/performance space, two new landscaped laneways, a timber–decked, wharf style promenade over the Bendigo Creek and interpretive displays explaining the history of the area.

100 jobs created during contruction

: 74 75 :

The Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) is a sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.3.3

The Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) is a sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.

The fund assists communities in small towns with economic and social infrastructure projects that will create new opportunities for economic growth and enhance the liveability of rural communities.

In 2008/09, grants totalling $15.6 million were approved for 103 projects with a total project cost of $28.8 million. This was 43 more than the minimum measure of success of 60, reflecting the popularity of this program with rural and regional councils and communities.

Many projects focus on community infrastructure, which is especially vital to quality of life in small towns in provincial Victoria. Public spaces, halls, sporting and recreation facilities and social clubs all contribute to the social life, well-being and civic pride of small communities, which are often isolated by their distance from regional centres.

Capital works eligible for STDF funding include: the renewal of historic buildings and cultural sites; water saving and recycling projects to benefit sports ovals and other community facilities; civic renewal projects that enhance liveability and improve business opportunities; industrial estates; pathways projects;

township entrance points, street-scaping and signage: upgrade of open spaces, community facilities; and tourism infrastructure.

Towns with populations of up to 10,000 are the fund’s major focus, however, those with populations up to 15,000 are eligible where there are exceptional circumstances or opportunities.

As at 30 June 2009, the STDF has contributed in excess of $44.2 million to 449 announced capital works projects throughout rural and regional Victoria. These projects have a total value estimated to be more than $93.4 million.

Allansford Mechanics Hall extension

Warrnambool City Council received $132,500 from the STDF for a major upgrade and extension to the Allansford Mechanics Hall. The hall – which was built in 1911 and had scarcely been improved since – lacked basic meeting room functions and had poor accessibility which greatly limited its use.

Redeveloping the hall on Ziegler Parade has allowed for increased usage by community groups and other residents of Allansford and the surrounding region.

The project involved construction of a new supper/meeting room and adjoining kitchen and storage areas, a new veranda, accessible entrance and toilet facilities connected to a rain water tank, and landscaping of the site.

As well as providing quality amenities and meeting facilities for local residents, upgrading the Allansford Hall has also presented new options for local activities and events and boosted the visual appeal of the hall and the surrounding streetscape.

Ararat streetscape

The STDF has played a key role in the two-stage Ararat streetscape project. Stage one upgraded the strip from Vincent to Queen streets as well as the area in front of the Midland Complex on the corner of Barkly and Queen streets.

Stage two, which was supported with $166,000 from the STDF, upgraded the footpath with bluestone paving and asphalting and added new street furniture and landscaping to the strip from Vincent Street to the pedestrian lights in Barkly Street.

The project showed that a clean, neat and inviting environment could attract business and services, demonstrated by the dramatic increase in the number of shops tenanted in the area. The project has strengthened Ararat’s position as a regional retail hub and improved accessibility and attractiveness for users and businesses.

As a result, the centre of Ararat is thriving, with al fresco dining on the increase, encouraging more travellers to use the town as a stopping point. The benefits are flowing on to other businesses and tourist facilities.

InfrastructureSmall Towns

Development Fund

: 76 77 :

Birchip Memorial Park

Upgraded visitor facilities at Birchip Memorial Park have provided a much-needed facelift to the Old Soldiers’ Memorial Park and public toilets.

The project refurbished the existing toilet block, installed a water-efficient sprinkler system and upgraded park furniture.

The project has provided important economic growth opportunities by encouraging tourists to stop and enjoy the park, and spend money at the nearby businesses.

It has also enhanced the appeal of Birchip for locals and visitors by making the park an even more pleasant and alluring place to picnic, especially under the shade of the park’s magnificent Moreton Bay fig trees.

The $86,360 project was driven by the community, with the Birchip Forum, Birchip Lions Club and the Birchip Memorial Park Management Committee working hard to deliver the upgrade.

The Buloke Shire Council project received $57,531 through STDF.

Licola and Dargo water bores

A Small Towns Development Fund grant of $200,000 to Wellington Shire Council supported the construction of water bores in Licola and Dargo.

The project also provided associated infrastructure, including holding tanks, pumps, power supply, hard stands, civil and access works and piping.

The bores have provided a non-potable supply of water to address the turbidity of the supply previously drawn from the rivers in Licola and Dargo, which were affected by erosion caused by bushfires.

Around 70 households in Dargo will benefit from the clean supply of water, and the project has also provided tourism benefits for Dargo and Licola, which serve as a base for nature-based tourism in the Alpine National Park and Avon Wilderness Park.

More than 60 tourist operators and guides use Licola as a base of operations.

Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre

A $183,000 STDF grant announced this year to Southern Grampians Shire Council will help redevelop the Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre.

The project will upgrade a key economic and community asset, improving the information centre’s capacity to promote the region and local businesses to more than 25,000 tourists each year.

The centre is strategically positioned at the southern end of the Grampians National Park, and improvements to landscaping, signage and amenities will encourage the use of the centre by tourists visiting the park or travelling the internationally-recognised Great Southern Touring Route.

Remodelling the customer service area, new lighting, painting and carpeting will provide users with contemporary and professional facilities. The addition of a rainwater tank and fire systems will add essential fire prevention capabilities to the centre and local area.

The redeveloped centre will incorporate electronic and movable displays, creating a flexible space for meetings and workshops by local business and community groups.

Shearer training facility at Edenhope Showgrounds

A state-of-the-art shearer training facility at Edenhope Showgrounds is helping to address a significant skills gap and retain young people in western Victoria.

The Edenhope district is predominantly grazing country and for years has had difficulty in sourcing sufficient numbers of shearers to meet local demand.

The Edenhope Pastoral Society identified the need for shearer training to be offered locally. Edenhope P-12 College, too, had also been searching for modern facilities to provide a Certificate III in Shearing.

The Edenhope Shearing Centre, built with the help of $80,000 from the Small Towns Development Fund and opened in January 2009, is meeting all of these needs, with the training of shearers and Edenhope P–12 College students being provided by a fully-accredited shearer training company.

The centre is also available for use for shearing demonstrations and competitions. Rural Skills Connect will soon be running a shearing training course from the Edenhope centre. The course is being offered to all Wimmera shearers and has had interest from other parts of Victoria.

3.3InfrastructureSTDF at Work

Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre

Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan watches a shearing display at Edenhope

: 78 79 :

The STDF has provided $49,200 towards East Gippsland Shire Council’s Tabbara Historic Interpretation Walk project, adding to the tourism experience for passengers on the Curlip II. Creating the new historic interpretation walk at Tabbara involved constructing a landing, walking tracks and interpretive displays and shelter showcasing the indigenous and early pioneering heritage of the area.

The Tabbara Historic Interpretation Walk is encouraging tourism along the iconic waterways of the Snowy River area, and has improved the area for other river users.

Tatura Park exhibition and events complex

A $250,000 STDF grant has helped the City of Greater Shepparton transform the Tatura

Park Exhibition and Events Complex into one of Victoria’s key regional exhibition and event facilities.

The facility generates more than $4.1 million in local economic activity each year through the various events it hosts, including International Dairy Week, the world’s second largest dairy event.

It also hosts numerous equestrian and other agricultural events, plus a motor home rally, as well as being a potential stopping point for road cycling events.

All these events generate significant local employment and an average stay of three days in the region per visitor.

The $420,000 expansion involved a new sand exhibition space, providing a flexible area for a variety of events, new perimeter fencing, upgraded power, and the installation of permanent power pillars for expanded trade and camping areas, and new signage.

Other improvements included site beautification and landscaping to enhance the visitor experience, new barriers to designate exhibition and event areas and general user activities, an exhibition and event equipment storage and exhibition facility, and upgraded catering facilities.

Caledonian Court Industrial Estate

Completed in June, the 12-lot estate in Ararat will become a best-practice model for sustainable water catchment and re-use within new industrial estates across regional Victoria.

Caledonian Court Sustainable Industrial Estate features an integrated water catchment and re-use system to improve security of water supply for businesses on the site. Ararat Council has set a target of saving and re-using one megalitre of water within the industrial estate each year.

Water will be saved through the use of rainwater tanks to store water from rooftops on each lot and through the catchment, storage and treatment of stormwater run-off, which will then be distributed to the storage system.

The industrial estate will attract a number of new businesses to Ararat and encourage expansion of a number of existing businesses in the town. The estate is expected to create more than 30 ongoing jobs as businesses establish or expand operations on the site. The Caledonian Court Sustainable Industrial Estate received $250,000 through the STDF. Ararat Rural City council contributed $260,000 to the $510,000 project.

3.3InfrastructureSTDF at Work

Fainter Falls’ walking path

Fainter Falls had remained all but hidden to the outside world for 40 years until a natural disaster hit north-east Victoria.

The bushfires that ravaged the area for weeks caused enormous damage, but if there was an upside to the huge losses, it was the rediscovery of a forgotten local gem.

The 2003 blaze uncovered a trail to Fainter Falls that had been unused since the 1960s and locals, along with Alpine Shire Council, decided resurrecting it was one way the region could address a scarcity of tourist attractions. The nearby Alpine National Park offered little to visitors with limited fitness, and since Southern Hydro withdrew public access to its power stations, opportunities for tour operators had all but dried up.

Fainter Falls has a visible cascade of 30 to 40 metres, and is just 700 metres from a main road. A $200,000 STDF grant helped construct a walking path following

the old trail to provide the area with a year-round tourism attraction accessible to everyone.

The path includes three observation decks, a bridge over a creek crossing, car parking and interpretive signage. It has attracted school groups, coach tours, families, the disabled and seniors, and boosted the region’s vital tourism economy.

Following the decline in employment in the hydro-electricity and timber industries, the Kiewa Valley derives most of its income from tourists, and the trail helps address the shortage of day-trip tourism outside the snow season.

Maryborough retail precinct

A major upgrade of Maryborough’s retail precinct is being supported with $250,000 from the STDF.

Maryborough is experiencing a strong demand for retail and office space, which will create new jobs and services for the town. To help capitalise on the opportunities created by this demand, Central Goldfields Shire Council, in association with the High Street retailers, is undertaking a major upgrade of the streetscape in the two blocks between Tuaggra and Inkerman streets.

The High Street improvements will revitalise the retail precinct, improve car parking, pedestrian links and disabled access, reduce heavy vehicle traffic and enhance the heritage appeal of the area.

Changes to the street layout will improve the appearance of the main shopping area, and create opportunities for retail enterprises to expand and develop in response to emerging tourism and lifestyle markets. The proposed redevelopment of the former Maryborough Knitting Mill site into a new shopping complex will add an additional dimension to the range of retail services available in Maryborough.

The combination of the new shopping complex allied to the revitalisation of the established High Street shopping precinct, will create an exciting opportunity for Maryborough to firmly establish itself as an acknowledged regional retail and services centre.

Tabbara historic walk

The paddle steamer, Curlip II, is a replica of a workhorse vessel that plied the Snowy River estuary from 1890 to 1919.

Thirty tonnes of local blue gum and thousands of hours of work by master boat builders and volunteers have gone into recreating an important piece of the Snowy River’s history.

The Curlip II had its inaugural cruise from Marlo to Tabbara in 2006, and has since become an important tourist attraction for the Orbost and Marlo region.

: 80 81 :

Planning for liveable, productive and sustainable communities.

Regional Development Victoria has been leading the Victorian Government’s Regional Strategic Planning Initiative (RSPI), which started with the Premier’s announcement in June 2008 of a new Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning.

The Taskforce was established to oversee the development of:

• a state-wide blueprint for the sustainable growth of provincial Victoria;

• regional plans that are integrated with the state-wide blueprint; and

• improvements to the overall processes and governance of regional planning across the state, providing greater coordination between all levels of government.

The Regional Strategic Planning group was established to support the Taskforce and manage the initiative, working with all areas of Regional Development Victoria and an Interdepartmental Committee which includes representatives from every Victorian Government department.

About the Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning

The Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning reports to the Premier and is chaired by the Hon. Jacinta Allan, Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation.

The other members of the Taskforce are:

• The Hon. Peter Batchelor – Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for Community Development;

• The Hon. Joe Helper – Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Small Business;

• The Hon. John Lenders – Treasurer, Minister for Finance and Minister for Information and Communication Technology;

• The Hon. Justin Madden – Minister for Planning;

• The Hon. Lisa Neville – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Senior Victorians; and

• The Hon. Kaye Darveniza – Parliamentary Secretary, Regional and Rural Development.

Regional Strategic Planning

The Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning:

Ministers Neville, Batchelor, Allan, Helper, Madden and Lenders.

Not pictured: Parliamentary Secretary, Kaye Darveniza.

3.4

: 82 83 :

growth more than 2.0%

growth 1.0% to 2.0%

growth less than 1.0%

population decline

Projected Average Annual Population Change

Community engagement

To inform the development of the state-wide and regional plans, the Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning has undertaken extensive research and consultations over the past 12 months to learn about the issues, challenges and opportunities ahead for provincial Victoria.

The Ministerial Taskforce held 10 community engagement forums across the state from the second half of 2008 to June 30 2009.

The first eight of these roundtable discussions – in Horsham, Geelong, Bendigo, Traralgon, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Seymour and Swan Hill – were attended by nearly 500 community and business leaders as well as local, State and Federal government officers involved in regional planning.

Reports on the topics discussed at each forum are provided at www.rdv.vic.gov.au.

From May 2009, the Ministerial Taskforce for Regional Planning commenced the second stage of community engagement which involved smaller meetings with regional planning groups and other key stakeholders such as peak industry, government and community bodies.

PROJECTED POPULATION CHANGE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN VICTORIA 2006 TO 2026

Source: DPCD Victoria in Future 2008 First Release

Regional StrategicPlanning 3.4

Why we need a state–wide blueprint to manage growth and change

With Victoria’s population growing strongly, our regions have the capacity to build on the prosperity of the last decade and take a greater share of future population growth.

The strongest growth will be concentrated around regional centres and their hinterlands, sea- and tree-change destinations and areas within commuting distance of Melbourne. At the same time, some smaller towns, particularly in the dry land farming areas of the state, will experience decreasing populations, continuing the trend of the past 50 years.

Population growth and changes in settlement patterns will present significant opportunities and challenges for the future of provincial Victoria. There is a need to plan now for where people will live, and how they will work, travel, study and gain access to services and resources.

The state-wide blueprint for provincial Victoria will assist government and communities in planning for the next stage of growth, including land use and settlement planning and the provision of infrastructure and services.

It will also consider the key drivers of change and issues including drought and climate change, the ageing population, short- and long- term movements in international economic conditions, skills and housing shortages and the increased risk of natural disaster.

Due for release in early 2010, the blueprint will effectively succeed the Government’s 2005 regional development statement, Moving Forward – Making Provincial Victoria the Best Place to Live, Work and Invest, and Moving Forward Update (2008) as the centrepiece of regional development policy in Victoria.

The blueprint will be underpinned by integrated regional plans that are currently being developed within the five State Government administrative regions (Hume, Loddon Mallee, Grampians, Gippsland and Barwon South West), and are expected to be completed by mid-2010.

Together with the state-wide blueprint, the regional plans will ensure our regions are prepared to manage population growth, respond to changing environments, and enhance productivity, liveability and sustainability.

The Government’s latest Victoria in Future population projections indicate that provincial Victoria will be home to an additional 477,000 people by 2036.

: 84 85 :

Population growth occurring across provincial Victoria, especially in and near urban centres and areas of high amenity, stimulates economic growth and jobs and reduces growth pressure and congestion in metropolitan Melbourne.

Discussion paper consultation – Provincial Victoria: Directions for the Next Decade

At the time of writing, the Ministerial Taskforce was preparing to start its final stage of consultation, giving the broader community the opportunity to help shape the blueprint for provincial Victoria.

A discussion paper, Provincial Victoria: Directions for the Next Decade, will allow all Victorians to have their say on the issues being considered for the blueprint.

The discussion paper will provide a broad examination of the findings from the Taskforce’s regional consultations and research into the trends and drivers of change in provincial Victoria, and the challenges associated with the next decade of development.

The key findings from research and consultations included:

• the major challenge will be to maintain the attractiveness and liveability of regional centres and towns through good connections

to services and jobs, balanced with the need to manage the significant population, environmental and economic changes that face provincial Victoria;

• population growth occurring across provincial Victoria, especially in and near urban centres and areas of high amenity, stimulates economic growth and jobs and reduces growth pressure and congestion in metropolitan Melbourne;

3.4Stage 1 Regional Consultations

Barwon South—West

Great South Coast Warrnambool, 25 November 2008

G21Geelong, 5 November 2008

Grampians

Central Highlands (CH21) Ballarat, 27 November 2008

Wimmera Southern MalleeHorsham, 21 October 2008

Loddon Mallee

Loddon Mallee NorthSwan Hill, 18 February 2009

Loddon Mallee SouthBendigo, 7 November 2008

Hume

Hume Regional Sustainable Communities ProjectNagambie, 10 December 2008

Gippsland

Gippsland Local Government Network Traralgon, 18 November 2008

Stage 2 Regional Consultations

Barwon South—West

Great Southern Coast Warrnambool, 26 May 2009

G21Geelong, 10 June 2009

At the time of writing, a further six sessions were planned for the other four regions: Gippsland – Morwell; Grampians – Ararat and Horsham; Hume – Benalla; and Loddon Mallee – Echuca and Kyneton.

Above: Provincial Victoria: Directions for the Next Decade Discussion Paper

Right: Community leaders at the G21 regional consultation.

Regional StrategicPlanning

87 :: 86

A new model for regional planning

The new approach to regional development in Victoria emphasises the importance of whole-of-region planning and utilises the intelligence, energy and knowledge of regional leaders, councils, government departments and communities.

In 2008/09, the Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Planning began implementing a new model for regional planning by bringing together leadership groups to develop regional plans that will complement the state-wide blueprint.

Regional planning will play a vital role in the future of provincial Victoria, as it enables communities to develop plans that best serve their region and meet local priorities.

Through the new approach to regional planning, the Government will:

• help regional businesses, communities and government leaders become better at responding to challenges, managing change and planning for growth;

• align local, State and Commonwealth priorities and services provided in provincial Victoria; and

• deliver better, more coordinated support to communities so that local people have more of a say in how their regions should develop into the future.

Over the next decade this will achieve:

• strong, resilient and sustainable regions with diverse economies, world class infrastructure and services;

• effective planning and coordination mechanisms that maximise the value of coordinated public and private support for industry and communities while providing protection of environmental values; and

• a greater internal capacity for regions to adapt to change and manage their own futures.

Regional planning will play a vital role in the future of provincial Victoria, as it enables communities to develop plans that best serve their region and meet local priorities. 3.4

• some small towns and rural areas, especially those distant from regional centres are losing population. However, small towns continue to play important roles and functions as service centres and focal points for social and community life;

• the roles and functions of larger regional towns are becoming central to networks of settlements, where centres provide health, higher education, recreation and leisure services for growing populations within the centres, and in their hinterlands;

• prolonged exposure to environmental and climatic changes will require regional economic sectors and sub-sectors to continue to adapt, often with the assistance of governments;

• community strength is prominent in provincial Victorian towns; lifestyle factors are a key element in relocation decisions; and

• studies of national and international trends and best practice in regional development and strategic planning highlighted the importance of cooperation between all levels of government and communities;

In response to these learnings, the discussion paper will outline five proposed strategic directions and areas of action to be addressed in the blueprint to develop more

liveable, productive and sustainable communities:

1. Positioning regional economies for growth through strategies to address skills shortages, encourage industry diversification, and support leadership development.

2. Connecting up provincial Victoria, better integrating it with the broader Victorian economy by investing in infrastructure, services and networks.

3. Planning for sustainable growth to ensure sustainable use of land and natural resources in provincial Victoria.

4. Making provincial Victoria an even better place to live, by improving community infrastructure and supporting community development initiatives.

5. Empowering communities to plan for their future, through a new framework for regional planning that supports more inclusive approaches to regional development, joins up different processes across governments, and gives local leaders, industry and community a greater role in planning and priority setting.

The discussion paper consultation will be conducted primarily online, through an online survey and a discussion forum. All responses will be considered as part of the process of developing the final blueprint.


: 88 89 :

BAW BAW

MOIRA

BENALLA

STRATHBOGIE

MITCHELL

MURRINDINDI

MANSFIELD

WANGARATTAALPINE

INDIGO

WODONGA

TOWONG

GREATERSHEPPARTON

HINDMARSH

YARRIAMBIACK

WEST WIMMERA HORSHAM NORTHERN

GRAMPIANS

ARARATPYRENEES

HEPBURN

MOORABOOL

GOLDEN PLAINS

BALLARATSOUTHERNGRAMPIANS

GLENELG

MOYNE

CORANGAMITEWARRNAMBOOL

COLAC–OTWAY

SURFCOAST

Queenscliffe

Greater Geelong

SWAN HILL

BULOKE

LODDON

CAMPASPE

GANNAWARRA

GREATERBENDIGO

MOUNTALEXANDER

CENTRALGOLDFIELDS

MACEDONRANGES

MILDURA

Yarra Ranges

Cardinia

MorningtonPeninsula

Frankston Casey

EAST GIPPSLAND

WELLINGTON

LATROBE

BASSCOAST

SOUTHGIPPSLAND

Gippsland

Barwon South WestGreat South Coast

Barwon South WestG21

Hume

Melton

Wyndham

Nillumbik

Whittlesea

Loddon MalleeNorthern Region

Grampians Wimmera Southern Mallee

Grampians Central Highlands

London MalleeSouthern Region

HumeGoulburn Valley

HumeLower

HumeCentral

HumeUpper

* Hume has four sub-regional planning groups contributing to the development of a single regional plan: • Goulburn Valley • Lower Hume • Central Hume • Upper Hume

Hume*

Gippsland

Barwon South West – Great South Coast

Barwon South West – G21

Grampians – Wimmera Southern Mallee

Grampians – Central Highlands

Loddon Mallee – Northern Region

Loddon Mallee – Southern Region

Government Administrative Region Boundary

REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

The Central Highlands region includes six municipalities in central western Victoria: Ararat Rural City, City of Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool, and Pyrenees.

The councils have an established Central Highlands Mayors and CEOs Forum which is leading the development of the regional plan.

The group also engages Central Goldfields in its activities, while Golden Plains is also involved in the work of the G21 region.

Hume Region

The Hume region comprises 12 local governments and is grouped into four sub-regions with distinct geographic, environmental, economic and social characteristics:

Upper Hume, comprising Wodonga City and the Indigo and Towong shires.

Central Hume, comprising Wangaratta Rural City, Benalla Rural City and the Alpine and Mansfield shires.

Goulburn Valley, comprising Greater Shepparton City and Moira and Strathbogie shires (as well as Campaspe Shire in the Loddon Mallee Region).

Lower Hume, comprising the Mitchell and Murrindindi shires.

The Hume Strategy for Sustainable Communities (Hume Strategy) is an integrated regional strategic planning activity coordinated by the Hume Regional Management Forum (RMF) and involving a broad regional stakeholder base.

3.4

Members of the Victorian Youth Advisory Committee discuss the future of provincial Victoria as part of the community engagement process.

Regional planning in action

The following is a snapshot of the regional strategic planning groups working at regional and sub-regional level across the state.

Barwon South West Region

GREAT SOUTH COAST

The Great South Coast regional planning group includes representatives from the Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool councils, and a broader group of stakeholders aimed at bringing sustainable development to the communities in Victoria’s south west.

G21 GEELONG

The G21 Region Alliance has been operating for nearly 10 years and comprises a variety of organisations including the five local governments (Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Golden Plains, Surf Coast and Colac-Otway), businesses and community organisations.

Gippsland Region

A leadership group comprising the six local governments (Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland, Latrobe, South Gippsland and Wellington) and State Government representatives is leading the development of an integrated regional plan.

Loddon Mallee Region

NORTHERN LODDON MALLEE

The municipalities in the region (Buloke, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Mildura and Swan Hill) have come together to form a regional planning group that is developing a long-term regional development plan. Campaspe and Buloke are also participating in the planning processes of their neighbouring regions, Hume and Wimmera.

SOUTHERN LODDON MALLEE

The Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander councils have formed a regional planning group that is leading the development of a long-term regional plan.

Grampians Region

WIMMERA SOUTHERN MALLEE

Local government and State Government representatives, and the Wimmera Development Association, are working together in developing a long-term regional plan. The local councils involved are: Hindmarsh, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Buloke (which is also engaged with the Loddon Mallee Northern region).


: 90 91 :

A key aim of the Regional Strategic Planning Initiative is to strengthen and improve coordination of regional planning and development across all levels of government, encouraging increased cooperation and better targeting of funding and initiatives.

This objective was boosted by the announcement on 26 June 2009 that new joint Federal-State regional development advisory committees would be formed in Victoria.

Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Jacinta Allan and Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructre, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Maxine McKew announced the establishment of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees in Victoria, heralding a new era of Federal-State and local government cooperation.

The Australian Government established RDA to introduce a coordinated national approach to regional development. The RDA network of committees across the country will build on and replace the Commonwealth’s existing network of Area Consultative Committees (ACCs).

The establishment of RDA Committees in Victoria has been founded on a shared commitment to engaging with and empowering communities. Local government representation on the committees will ensure that the three levels of government work in partnership to benefit local communities and find local solutions.

The Victorian RDA Committees will assist the Australian, Victorian and local governments by taking on a broad role to:

• consult and engage with the community on economic, social and environmental issues, identify local solutions and establish priorities;

• be a conduit of information between governments and local communities about government programs, services, grants and initiatives for regional development;

• support informed regional planning; and

• be important contributors to business growth plans and investment strategies, environmental solutions and social inclusion strategies in their region.

The Victorian RDA Committees will be supported and administered by Regional Development Victoria and will generally be aligned with the Victorian Government administrative regions.

Five committees will be located in provincial Victoria, covering the regions of Loddon Mallee, Barwon South West, Grampians, Hume and Gippsland. Metropolitan Melbourne will also have four committees covering Northern, Western, Southern and Eastern Metropolitan.

Committee members were due to be annouced, following a public Expression of Interest process. It is anticipated that the committees will commence operating from October.

For more information on RDA, visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/rda or www.rda.gov.au

Regional Development Australia

3.4Next steps

In early 2010, the Government will release its new long-term, state-wide blueprint for more liveable, productive and sustainable communities in provincial Victoria.

The blueprint will provide a broad framework for future development, including a range of new programs and initiatives that can be adapted to all regions to build on regional strengths and address local needs.

The Government will continue to support the development and ongoing renewal of regional strategic plans, which are expected to be completed by mid–2010.


: 92 93 :

3.5Changing Places: Life in Provincial Victoria

The Make it Happen campaign supported a one-hour television program that aired on Sunday 12 April from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Channel Nine and 5pm to 6pm on WIN Television.

Changing Places: Life in Provincial Victoria featured case studies that showcased individuals who have have moved to provincial Victoria or have successfully operated a business there. The program also profiled food and wine industries to support Victoria’s wine sector, which had been impacted by drought and bushfire.

More than 75 case studies were suggested for the program demonstrating the high level support for the concept from Victoria’s regional and rural councils.

Changing Places was the second-highest rating program in its timeslot (behind AFL) – with more than 100,000 viewers in Melbourne and 40,000 in regional Victoria.

The program featured the following case studies to highlight the business, lifestyle and job opportunities available across regional Victoria:

• Didjun Skin and Body, Pomonal;

• Sam Miranda Winery, King Valley;

• Clyne Foods, Warracknabeal;

• C&M Pearce Electrical Contractors, Sea Lake;

• Jon and Rebecca McNaught (GHD Engineering), Traralgon;

• Bellellen Grampians Organics, Stawell;

• Organic Advanced Agricultural Concepts, Minimay; and

• Redesdale Estate Winery, Redesdale.

Changing Places also followed a couple, Linda and Chris Marsh, and their children as they relocate from metropolitan Melbourne to Heathcote. Linda and Chris work as teachers at Wallan Primary School, where their children are educated.

The call to action for the program was to encourage people to visit the provincial Victoria website (www.provincialvictoria.vic.gov.au). The website offers initial information about each region, but mainly drives people to contact local councils.

Photo: Winemaker Sam Miranda and family are at home in provincial Victoria and were featured in the Changing Places TV special.

MarketingProvincial Victoria

MAKE IT HAPPEN IN PROVINCIAL VICTORIA

In 2008/09, Regional Development Victoria continued to deliver the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign in partnership with the state’s 48 regional and rural councils.

The Make it Happen campaign encourages Melburnians to relocate to provincial Victoria by promoting the benefits of living, working and investing there.

The integrated marketing campaign raises awareness of provincial Victoria and what it has to offer.

It helps regional councils make the most of this heightened interest by developing their own localised campaigns through grants provided under the Provincial Economic Partnerships program.

The Make it Happen campaign is overseen by the Provincial Victoria Steering Committee, comprising representatives from provincial councils, regional development bodies and government departments.

: 94 95 :

3.5After successful partnerships in the 2007 and 2008 AFL seasons, the Geelong Cats teamed up with the Victorian Government again the 2009 AFL season to promote the fantastic lifestyle and business opportunities right across regional Victoria.

Marketing Provincial Victoria

Sponsorship

Geelong Football Club

The Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria message went Australia-wide with Regional Development Victoria’s sponsorship of the Geelong Football Club.

After successful partnerships in the 2007 and 2008 AFL seasons, the Geelong Cats teamed up with the Victorian Government again in the 2009 AFL season to promote the fantastic lifestyle and business opportunities right across regional Victoria.

Geelong Cats captain Tom Harley and key forward Paul Chapman are ambassadors for promoting provincial Victoria as a great place to live, work and invest.

RDV’s sponsorship of the AFL’s most-watched team is an important part of promoting regional Victoria. As regional Victoria’s only AFL club, the Geelong Football Club is the perfect organisation for promoting awareness of the advantages of living in the regions.

The Geelong Cats provide enormous exposure for regional Victoria on a national scale to an audience in the millions.

The Geelong Football Club is also the highest profile organisation representing regional Victoria on the national sporting stage.

The sponsorship promoted the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria message through a package of activities including signage at

Skilled Stadium and match-day sponsorship of Geelong’s round three “blockbuster” game against Collingwood at the MCG on 9 April.

Herald Sun Tour 2008

RDV continued its support of the iconic Jayco Herald Sun Tour through the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign.

The eight-day event, from 12 to 18 October 2008, showcased provincial Victoria to a national and international audience, highlighting a number of regions throughout the state.

For the first time in the event’s 57–year history the 2008 Tour started in Traralgon, travelling through Gippsland and the eastern Victorian towns of Inverloch, Warragul, Alexandra, Marysville, Mount Buller and the Yarra Valley, before finishing in Melbourne.

The tour showcased Gippsland’s towns, vineyards and landscapes through local and international coverage of the event, as well as the many thousands of visitors who cheered competitors along the way.

Events like the Tour reaffirm Victoria’s position as a world leader in hosting major sporting events and provide a welcome economic boost by way of jobs and tourism.

The Tour generates an estimated $100,000 for each host town, along with important international branding and promotional benefits and increased community pride.

: 96 97 :

3.6The Strategic Policy group undertakes analysis and dissemination of issues of regional importance to provide accurate information and high-level advice to senior executives and the Minister for Regional and Rural Development.

It holds membership on a number of committees and councils to provide input and advice across all tiers of government. Strategic Policy has a major role in supporting and maintaining the relationship with the other State and Territory governments and with the Commonwealth Government.

Through the Minister-level Regional Development Council, Strategic Policy engages with regional and economic development agencies across Australia, influencing the development of a broad range of interstate and national policies.

Within this role, Strategic Policy has been responsible for providing advice on and assisting the formation of Regional Development Australia, a national advisory body seeking to develop a more coordinated approach to regional development across all levels of government.

Strategic Policy, which sits within the office of RDV’s Chief Executive, also has a role directly providing and supporting the development of submissions to Cabinet on issues relevant to RDV.

In 2008/09, Strategic Policy:

• helped lead the agenda on Standing Committee of Regional Development, a national body of State and Territory regional development agencies, in areas of National significance including climate change, structural adjustment and drought;

• led the development of a framework and principles for adjustment assistance in the light of growing pressures on regional economies;

• provided support across a range of issues to the Regional Strategic Planning Initiative;

• provided ongoing support to various committees and work groups within the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development representing regional interests of policy and promotion; and

• undertook scoping of the Regional Industry Adjustment Project, developing an evidence base to inform policy development.

Strategic

Policy

: 98 99 :

3.6Maine’s Power Project

Faced with the seemingly insurmountable challenge of addressing the impact of climate change and the threat of rising energy prices, the Maine’s Power Project in Mount Alexander Shire brought together local businesses, local community and all levels of government to tackle the sustainability of the town’s manufacturing base.

With assistance from a team of specialists from the CSIRO, the project sought to map energy usage and emissions tonnage from four large, co-located manufacturers in the shire – George Weston Foods, Flowserve, Victoria Carpets and Mt Alexandra Hospital.

The project found the participants produce about 86,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, or about 45 per cent of the annual stationary energy emissions of the entire town.

As the project developed it attracted attention from policy makers, media and communities in the region and across Australia.

Most notably, the Garnaut review, in its landmark report released to the Federal Government in 2008, used the project to exemplify successful community approaches to addressing climate change.

The project was also profiled in the Australian Industry Group Environmental Management Handbook 2008, which is distributed to 10,000 businesses across Australia.

RDV assisted the project with funding of $50,000 through the Planning for Change program. The project was completed in the first half of 2009 with a final report due to be handed down by participants in July.

The report is expected to present a number of options to the four participants for energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions in Mount Alexander Shire.

George Weston Foods took up one option to install a four megawatt cogeneration unit as part of a $150 million expansion.

The cogeneration initiative will slash an estimated 25 per cent of energy demand in the shire and generate 220 ongoing jobs in production.

Strategic

Policy

Above: Flowserve – photo courtesy of Mount Alexander Sustainable Group.

Right: Mount Alexander Hospital – photo courtesy of CSIRO.

The Geelong Cats teamed up with the Victorian Government in the 2009 AFL seasons to pro-mote the fantastic lifestyle and business opportu-nities right across regional Victoria.Geelong Cats captain Tom Harley and key forward Paul Chap-man were ambassadors for promoting provincial Victoria as a great place to live, work and invest.

GRANTS AND OUTPUT TARGETS

4.0

: 102 103 :

ORGANISATION PAYMENT $

Alpine Shire Council 8,680

Ararat Rural City Council 6,000

Campaspe Shire Council 15,000

Cardinia Shire Council 5,000

City of Greater Geelong 8,000

City of Greater Shepparton 6,188

City of Warrnambool 33,000

City of Whittlesea 1,759

Golden Plains Shire Council 2,500

Mitchell Shire Council 6,000

Moira Shire Council 16,840

Mont De Lancey Historical Museum Ltd

15,000

Moorabool Shire Council 5,250

Mt Eliza Chamber of Commerce Inc 4,550

Nillumbik Shire Council 16,300

Victorian Farmers' Markets Association Inc.

105,350

Yarra Valley Tourist Railway Society Inc 5,000


B'Rush Ski Co-operative Ltd 36,000

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

507,000

In 2008/09, Regional Development Victoria provided financial assistance through a broad range of programs aiding economic and community development in regional Victoria. 4.1

• Farmers’ Markets


Air Radiators Pty Ltd 41,574

Challenge Meats Pty Ltd 236,875

Mako Craft Pty Ltd 110,933


Department of Sustainability and Environment

700,000


GMIC Ltd 50,000

• Geelong Industry and Innovation Fund

• Gippsland Flood Recovery

• Growing Regional Innovation

• Four Seasons Energy Pilot


Air Radiators Pty Ltd 37,500

Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd (AAMI) 150,000

Australian Pet Essentials Pty Ltd 17,500

Basin Sands Engineering Pty Ltd 25,000

Boyntons Australia Pty Ltd 10,000

Burra Foods Pty Ltd 30,921

Chemring Australia Pty Ltd 37,500

Davis Poultry Maryborough Pty Ltd 90,000

Hazeldene's Chicken Farm Pty Ltd 107,500

Keppel Prince Engineering Pty Ltd 100,000

Laucke Flour Mills Pty Ltd 50,000

Littore Family Wines Pty Ltd 35,000

Mathew Jenkins Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd 10,000

Modra Technology Pty Ltd 7,542

Mortlake Employment Services Pty Ltd 100,000

Riverland Oilseeds Pty Ltd 10,000

Rubicon Systems Australia Pty Ltd 18,000

Simplot Australia Pty Ltd 10,000

Regional Development

Victoria Grant Payments

• Community Regional Industry Skills Program

GRANT PAYMENTS MADE IN 2008/09

: 104 105 :


Australian Trade Commission 22,100

Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation

3,545

Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Revitalization Group Inc

10,000

Bass Coast Shire Council 12,500

Baw Baw Shire Council 86,934

Beaufort Golf Club Inc 1,250

Bellarine Peninsula Tourism Inc 26,818

Bemco Australia Pty Ltd 15,000

Benalla Rural City 75,000

Bendigo Chamber of Commerce and Industries

2,500

Best Bottlers Pty Ltd 50,000

Birchip Cropping Group Inc 20,000

Borough of Queenscliffe 41,042

Broadford Community Centre Inc 3,000

Building Commission 30,000

Buloke Shire Council 51,000

Buninyong Gold King Festival Inc 3,750


Castlemaine and District Continuing Education Inc

4,650

Central Goldfields Shire Council 22,500

Central Highlands Agribusiness Forum Inc

30,000

Central Victorian Agribusiness Forum 39,412

Chillout Daylesford Inc 25,000

Chiltern Tourism Association Inc 6,500

City of Ballarat 11,913

City of Greater Bendigo 126,750




Colac Otway Shire Council 53,750


Committee for Ballarat Inc 16,500

Corangamite Shire Council 37,500

Dairy Australia Ltd 60,000

Dairy Industry Association of Australia Inc

40,000

Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd 10,000

Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges Tourism Inc

30,000

Department of Planning and Community Development

1,000,000

Department of Primary Industries 1,512,500


1,800,000

Diamond Power (Australia) Pty Ltd 50,000

East Gippsland Shire Council 134,743

Elmhurst Festival of the Wind Inc 8,750

Excelior Pty Ltd 150,000

Fayman International Pty Ltd 9,897

Fed Square Pty Ltd 30,000

Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes Pty Ltd 125,000

Food Science Australia 100,000

G21 – Geelong Region Alliance Ltd 30,000

Gannawarra Shire Council 32,500

Geelong Chamber of Commerce 10,000

Gippsland Vehicle Collection Inc 2,000

Glenelg Shire Council 50,000

Golden Plains Shire Council 65,000

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Inc

20,000

Hepburn Shire Council 39,710

Hindmarsh Shire Council 20,250

Homewood Community Hall Inc 2,800

Horsham and District Lapidary Club Inc 10,000

Horsham Rural City Council 71,381

Indigo Shire Council 77,875

4.1 Regional Development Victoria Grant Payments




Baw Baw Shire Council 2,000

Benalla Business Network Inc 1,999


Cardinia Shire Council 20,831

Casterton Kelpie Association Inc 1,000

City of Greater Bendigo 100,000




Colac Otway Shire Council 40,000

Committee for Ballarat Inc 750

Department of Justice 32,500


150,000


100,000

Department of Transport 1,000,000

Express Promotions Australia Pty Ltd 20,000

Gippsland Area Consultative Committee Inc

1,535

Glenelg Shire Council 41,659

Hindmarsh Shire Council 2,500

Horsham Rural City Council 310,000

Indigo Shire Council 2,000

Industry Capability Network (Vic) Ltd 25,000

International Dairy Week 2,000

Kinglake Football Netball Club Inc 500

Loddon Shire Council 52,500

Melton Shire Council 150,000

Mildura Rural City Council 2,500


Mount Alexander Shire Council 20,000


Agribusiness Gippsland Inc 10,000

AgVet Projects Pty Ltd 39,065

Albury–Wodonga Area Consultative Committee Inc.

13,506

Alexandra and District Open Gardens Inc

720

Alexandra Race Club Inc 3,000

Alexandra Traders and Tourism Association Inc

17,500



Australian Alpine Valley Agribusiness Forum Inc

2,763

Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show Inc

7,000

Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd 230,000

Australian Forest Growers 5,000

Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (Inc)

25,000


Murrindindi Shire Council 80,000

Music Glenelg Inc 1,500

Rainbow Tennis Club Inc 2,000

Stawell Regional Health 1,500

Strathbogie Shire Council 82,376

Stuart Mill Progress Association Inc 1,500

Swan Hill Rural City Council 1,000

Tourism Victoria 600,000

Towong Shire Council 2,000

Urban Design Forum Inc 2,000

Victorian Transport Association Inc 25,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council 2,500

Wodonga City Council 250,000

• Living Regions Living Suburbs

• Provincial Victoria Growth Fund

: 106 107 :


Tourism Victoria 3,100,000

Towong Shire Council 62,000

Upper Goulburn Winegrowers Association Inc

10,625

Vegco Pty Ltd 20,000

Victorian Cycling Inc 6,750

Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry

86,600

Victorian Farmers Federation 35,000

Victorian Wine Industry Association 92,200

Wangaratta Rural City Council 170,365

Wellington Shire Council 123,800

West Cloven Hills 10,000

West Wimmera Shire Council 10,451

Westvic Dairy Inc 30,000

William Inglis & Son Ltd 45,000

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

5,000

Wimmera Development Association Inc 108,000

Wines of the King Valley Inc 15,000

Wodonga City Council 66,050

Women's National Basketball - Bendigo Inc

20,000


Department of Treasury and Finance 400,000

Foodbowl Unlimited Inc 700,000ORGANISATION PAYMENT $

South Gippsland Shire Council 250,000


City of Ballarat 20,000




Wimmera Development Association Inc 20,000

TOTAL 117,000


Australia Milling Group Pty Ltd 150,000

Australian Pet Essentials Pty Ltd 17,500

Bendigo Bank Limited 400,000


Custom General Engineering Pty Ltd 14,665

Keppel Prince Engineering Pty Ltd 100,000

Kiel Industries Pty Ltd 25,000

Koala Country Orchards Pty Ltd 48,000

McPherson's Printing Pty Ltd 50,000

Mortlake Employment Services Pty Ltd 20,000

Patties Foods Pty Ltd 60,000

Riverland Oilseed Processors Pty Ltd 20,000

SCS Plastics Pty Ltd 120,000

Sustainable Liquid Technology Pty Ltd 50,000• Regional Business Investor Ready Program

• Rural Skills Connect Project

• Regional Innovation Clusters Program

• Regional Investment Initiative

4.1 Regional Development Victoria Grant Payments



International Dairy Week 10,000

Jamieson Community Group and Associated Bodies Inc

3,000

Kilmore Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Inc

2,281

Kinglake Football Netball Club Inc 3,000

Kinglake Ranges Business Network Inc 3,000

Kinglake Ranges Film Society Inc 1,202

Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc

3,000

Latrobe City Council 82,750

Leadership Victoria Ltd 60,000

Local Government Professionals Inc 14,700

Loddon Shire Council 72,500

Luv–A–Duck Pty Ltd 15,000

Mallacoota and District Business and Tourism Association Inc

5,625

Mansfield Shire Council 72,500

McInerney, Lisa 5,000


Mildura Theatre Brewery Pty Ltd 13,500


Moira Shire Council 50,000

Monash University 30,000

Moorabool Shire Council 46,828

Mount Alexander Shire Council 39,152

Moyne Shire Council 20,000

Mt Alexander Sustainability Group Inc 35,000

Municipal Association of Victoria 800,000

Murrindindi Shire Council 29,500

Music Glenelg Inc 4,000

Neqtar Australia Pty Ltd 25,000

North East Multicultural Association Inc 2,421

North East Valleys Food and Wine Inc 25,000


Northern Grampians Shire Council 20,500

Orbost Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc

2,250

Organic Federation of Australia Ltd 28,862

P S Curlip Inc 5,000

Planning Institute Australia Inc – Vic Div 45,000

Port Albert Progress Association Inc 1,500

Prestige Foods International Pty Ltd 8,000

Pyrenees Shire Council 56,500

Queenscliff Music Festival Inc 12,000

Riverland Oilseeds Pty Ltd 24,000

Rotary Club of Alexandra Inc 5,200

Rupanyup Major Events Inc 5,000

Rural Organics Pty Ltd 5,054

Rural Workforce Agency, Victoria Ltd 77,000

SalesForce Australia Pty Ltd 275,000

Seymour Business and Tourism Inc 10,000

Seymour Racing Club Inc 20,000

Shared Learning & Activities Murtoa Inc 5,000

South Gippsland Shire Council 64,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council 3,750

Stawell Athletic Club Inc 15,000

Stock Feed Manufacturers' Association of Victoria

40,000

Strathbogie Shire Council 151,250

Surf Coast Shire 101,340

Swan Hill Rural City Council 34,250

Tarerer-Gunditj Project Association Inc 5,000

Team Poly Pty Ltd 10,000

The Australian Industry Group 12,500

The Lions Club of Eildon Inc 11,250

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Ltd

57,500

The Winemakers of Rutherglen Inc 26,600

• Provincial Victoria Growth Fund continued

: 108 109 :

4.2ORGANISATION PROJECT

APPROVED AMOUNT $

RIDF – Regional Aviation

Ballarat City Council Ballarat Airport Investment Attraction 3,434,784

Mildura Rural City Council Mildura Airport Upgrade 5,720,000

Moira Shire Council Yarrawonga Aerodrome Infrastructure Development 550,000

Warrnambool City Council Stage 2 – Infrastructure Works to Warrnambool Regional Airport 492,000

RIDF – Regional Arts Infrastructure

Ballarat City Council Art Gallery of Ballarat Upgrade Project 990,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Warragul Civic Precinct Redevelopment 2,530,000

Greater Bendigo City Council Infrastructure Works to the Capital Theatre 650,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Redevelopment of the Hamilton Arts Precinct 950,000

RIDF – Biofuels

Biodiesel Producers Ltd Biodiesel Storage and Blending Infrastructure Development 2,000,000

RIDF – Water and Energy Efficiency

Midfield Meats International Pty Ltd Midfield Meats Cogeneration Project 990,000

RIDF – Intermodal Freight

Greater Shepparton City Council Goulburn Valley Freight and Logistics Centre 2,000,000

RIDF – Local Ports

Gippsland Ports Mallacoota 72,000

Gippsland Ports Port Welshpool, Port Albert and Corner Inlet 564,300

Gippsland Ports Gippsland Lakes 2,361,600

Parks Victoria Port Campbell 180,000

Parks Victoria Western Port Bay 981,000

Warrnambool City Council Warrnambool 738,000

RIDF – Regional Electrical Access Program

Mountain H2O Power Upgrade 91,993

Yackandandah Jam & Preserving Co Pty Ltd

Power Upgrade 50,000

The Regional Infrastructure Development Fund supports the provision of economic and community infrastructure to build the competitive capacity of provincial Victoria.

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund

NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED IN 2008/09

Port Albert was upgraded with RIDF funding.

: 110 111 :

4.2 Regional Infrastructure Development Fund

ORGANISATION PROJECTAPPROVED AMOUNT $

RIDF – Provincial Pathways

Mansfield Shire CouncilGoulburn River High Country Rail Trail – Stage One – Mansfield to Bonnie Doon via Maindample

650,000

Parks Victoria Moving Forward – Great Ocean Walk Improvement Project 871,970

Surf Coast Shire Council Surf Coast Walk – Stage 1 800,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council Wangaratta to Everton Rail Trail 400,000

RIDF – Water for Industry

Ceres Natural Foods Pty Ltd (Pureharvest)

Water Savings and Recycling for Pureharvest 198,500

North East Region Water Authority Wodonga Wastewater Recycling Initiative 330,370

RIDF – Industrial Estates

Indigo Shire Council Industrial Land Development 492,379

Mount Alexander Shire Council Wesley Hill Industrial Estate Stage 2 Development 577,267

RIDF – Other

Ballarat City Council Redevelopment of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute – Stage 2 1,500,000

Ballarat City Council LGL Ballarat to Lake Wendouree Water Supply 650,000

Glenelg Shire Council Portland Trawler Wharf Redevelopment 2,000,000

Greater Bendigo City Council Bendigo Chinese Precinct Project 1,600,000

Latrobe City Council Moe Activity Centre Plan – Implementation 2,000,000

Strathbogie Shire Council Nagambie Revitalisation Project 2,385,000

University of Ballarat IBM Expansion on the Ballarat Technology Park 5,000,000

ORGANISATION PROJECTAPPROVED AMOUNT $

RIDF – Local Roads to Markets

Baw Baw Shire Council Wheelbarrow, Gibson and Gibson Bros Road Upgrade 84,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Edgar Road, AR Gardner Road Upgrade 35,000

Benalla Rural City Council Samaria Road South Eastern Access Roundabout 286,000

Buloke Shire Council Seven Mile Road Upgrade 250,000

Campaspe Shire Council Strathallan Road Markets Connector 200,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Irrewillipe Road Upgrade 187,500

Corangamite Shire Council Williams Road Upgrade – Stage 1 177,500



East Gippsland Shire Council Bonaccord Lane Upgrade 90,800

Gannawarra Shire Council Suttie Road West End Construction 120,000

Glenelg Shire Council Casterton Dartmoor Road 200,000

Golden Plains Shire CouncilSafer B-Double Route for Intensive Agriculture – English Road Stage 1

337,500

Moyne Shire Council Allansford-Wangoom Road Upgrade 145,500

Moyne Shire Council Hughes Road Upgrade 110,000

Moyne Shire Council Allansford-Wangoom Road Upgrade (south of St Marys Road) 111,500

Moyne Shire Council Terang-Framlingham Road Upgrade 112,500

Northern Grampians Shire Council Stawell Township B-Double Road Upgrades 102,500

Northern Grampians Shire Council Glenorchy & Marnoo Township B-Double Road Upgrades 166,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council St Arnaud Township B-Double Road Upgrades 20,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Rainbow Valley Turkeys B-Double Road Upgrades 110,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Cavendish – Coleraine Road Rehabilitation Works 96,000

Towong Shire Council Mt Alfred Road Upgrade 129,470

Towong Shire Council Nariel Road Upgrade 94,985

Towong Shire Council Coghills Road Upgrade 33,300

Towong Shire Council Bramley Lane Upgrade 16,200

Wangaratta Rural City Council Edi – Cheshunt Road 100,000

West Wimmera Shire Council Broughton Road Reconstruction 151,500

West Wimmera Shire Council Dorodong Road Reconstruction 220,750

ORGANISATION PROJECT PAYMENT $

Baw Baw Shire Council Local Road to Markets Tier 2 Project 80,000

Campaspe Shire Council Local Dairy Road Project 133,000

Campaspe Shire Council Strathallan Road Sealing Project 129,875

Central Highlands Region Water Corporation

McCain's Water Use Minimisation Project 578,857

City of Greater Bendigo Bendigo Bank Civic Infrastructure Works 2,000,000

City of Greater Bendigo Infrastructure Works to the Capital Theatre 350,000

City of Greater Shepparton Infrastructure Improvements to the Eastbank Centre – Stage 1 300,000

NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED IN 2008/09 CONTINUED


: 112 113 :


City of Warrnambool Warrnambool Regional Airport Redevelopment 320,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Larpent Road Accessibility Project 100,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Local Dairy Road Project 114,764

Deakin University Expansion of the Geelong Technology Precinct 600,000

Deakin UniversityRedevelopment of the former 1934 Dennys Lascelles Woolstore

4,000,000


Redevelopment of Skilled Stadium in Geelong 2,700,000


Portland Trawler Wharf Redevelopment Project 1,800,000

Department of Transport Corio Independent Goods Line 1,323,004

Department of Transport New Railway Station at Wendouree 2,365,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Mallacoota Airport Upgrade Project 180,000

Falls Creek Resort Management Board

Falls Creek All Seasons Gateway Plaza Project 1,300,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Local Dairy Road Project 51,250

Gannawarra Shire Council Tate Drive Industrial Estate, Kerang 84,895

Gippsland Ports Committee of Management Inc

Corner Inlet and Port Albert Local Port 300,000


Gippsland Lakes Local Port 800,000


Infrastructure Works at Gippsland Lakes Local Port 400,000


Infrastructure Works at the Port of Gippsland Lakes – Lakes Entrance

155,000


Mallacoota Local Port 40,000

Glenelg Shire Council The Heywood Industrial Corridor – Power Upgrade 100,000

Glenelg Shire Council Upgrade to Various Arts Facilities in the Glenelg Shire 200,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Local Roads to Markets Tier 2 Project – English Road 184,000

Goulburn Valley Region Water Corporation

Tatura Wastewater Management and Reuse Project

486,000

La Trobe University Development of Shepparton Campus 500,000

Latrobe City Council Latrobe Regional Airport – Airpark Development 492,000

Mansfield Shire Council Goulburn River Rail Trail (Mansfield to Maindample) 250,000

Mildura Rural City Council Mildura Airport Upgrade 849,000

Mildura Rural City Council Yelta Silo Improved Road Safety (Meridian Road) 198,194

4.2 Regional Infrastructure Development Fund


Moira Shire Council Numurkah Showgrounds Redevelopment 250,000

Moorabool Shire Council Hillside Industrial Estate Development at Bacchus Marsh 1,003,740

Mountain H2O Pty Ltd Power Upgrade 91,993

Moyne Shire Council Allansford – Wangoon Road Stages 1 & 2 100,000

Moyne Shire Council Local Dairy Road Project 396,750

Moyne Shire Council Infrastructure Works at Port Fairy Local Port 500,000

Moyne Shire Council Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail Project 500,000

Multinet Gas Distribution Partnership, SPI Networks (Gas) Pty Ltd, Vic Gas Distribution Pty Ltd

Natural Gas Extension Program 6,745,226

Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co Ltd

Leongatha Water Recycling Project 1,800,000

North East Region Water Authority Wodonga Wastewater Recycling Initiative 92,400

Parks Victoria Infrastructure Works at Portarlington Local Port 294,700

Parks Victoria Redevelopment of the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine 750,000

Powercor Australia Ltd On-Farm Energy Program – Western Victoria 135,176

Southern Grampians Shire Council Hamilton Arts Precinct Redevelopment Project 650,000

The Gippsland Field DaysLardner Park Exhibition Centre Development Project

250,000

The Victoria Carpet Co Pty Ltd Wastewater Recycling Project 14,500

Timbercorp Ltd Timbercorp Annuello Electrical Upgrade 133,865

University of Ballarat IBM Expansion on the Ballarat Technology Park 1,500,000

Victorian Agricultural Shows LtdRural Showgrounds and Field Days Minor Capital Works program

100,000

Victorian Farmers’ Federation Stock Over/Underpasses 894,511

V–Line Passenger Pty LtdMildura Riverfront Development Facilitation Project

500,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council New Performing Arts Centre for Wangaratta 3,000,000

Wellington Shire Council Bolgers Road Reconstruction 200,000

Wellington Shire Council Local Dairy Road Project 33,000

Wellington Shire Council Port Albert Wharf Redevelopment 175,000

Yackandandah Jam & Preserving Co Pty Ltd

Power Upgrade 32,901

GRANT PAYMENTS MADE IN 2008/09 CONTINUED

: 114 115 :

4.3Small Towns Development Fund

ORGANISATION PROJECT NAMEAPPROVED AMOUNT $

Alpine Shire Council Bright to Wandiligong Link Trail 250,000

Alpine Shire Council Alpine Visitor Information Centres Upgrade 109,500

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat Volunteer Facilities Upgrade 16,200

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat Race Course Wastewater Re-use 20,000

Bass Coast Shire Council Inverloch Visitor Information Centre 250,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Trafalgar Retail Area Enhancement 45,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Bellbird Park Regional Facility 43,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Dowton Park Wetlands 64,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Erica Community Visitor Centre 167,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Rawson Crater Lake 186,000

Benalla Rural City Council Benalla Street Improvement 300,000

Buloke Shire Council Charlton Racing for Regional Development Stage One 160,000

Buloke Shire Council Birchip Community Leisure Centre Upgrade 170,000

Campaspe Shire Council Rushworth Walk Thru Time 300,000

Central Goldfields Shire Council Maryborough Central Goldfields Community Hub (Stage One) 300,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Colac Visitor Information Centre Upgrade Stage 3 60,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Barwon Downs Park Upgrade Stage 1 120,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Birregurra Park Upgrade Stage 1 75,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Forrest Tiger Rail Trail 108,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Swan Marsh Hall Upgrade Stage 1 31,500

Colac Otway Shire Council Apollo Bay Coastal Trail Stage 1 60,000

Corangamite Shire Council Lake Bullen Merri South Beach Upgrade 180,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Bruthen Art and Information Centre and Streetscape 200,000

Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board

Falls Creek Pack Horse Heritage Trail 200,000

Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board

Falls Creek Way – Visitor Signage 200,000

NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED IN 2008/09

The Small Towns Development Fund is a sub-program of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund.

: 116 117 :

4.3 Small Towns Development Fund


Mildura Rural City Council Mallee Track Recycled Water 22,449

Mildura Rural City Council Red Cliffs Identified 65,000

Mitchell Shire Council Wallan Hadfield Park Redevelopment 230,000

Mitchell Shire Council Broadford Streetscape 250,000

Moorabool Shire Council Ballan Reserve Community Facility Extension 125,000

Moorabool Shire Council Dunnstown Water Recycling and Infrastructure 110,000

Mount Alexander Shire Council Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Expansion 30,000

Mount Alexander Shire Council Guildford (John Powell) Recreation Reserve Upgrade 118,450

Mount Alexander Shire Council Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) Upgrade 243,772

Moyne Shire Council Port Fairy Community Centre 250,000

Moyne Shire Council Hawkesdale Streetscape Revitalisation 210,000

Moyne Shire Council Moyne Small Towns Pathways 250,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Alexandra Community Kitchen & Garden 50,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Access to Eildon, Town and Water Link Pathway 300,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake West Multi-Purpose Facility Upgrade 51,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council St Arnaud Heritage Streetscape 300,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Power House Alliance – Hall Refurbishment and External Works 230,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Kara Kara Building, St Arnaud 112,500

Pyrenees Shire Council Avoca Recreation Complex Upgrade 144,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Moonambel Pavilion 250,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Pyrenees Halls 40,000

South Gippsland Shire Council Coal Creek Community Park and Museum Upgrade 240,000

South Gippsland Shire CouncilUpgrade and Refurbishment Works for Leongatha Historical Precinct

100,000

South Gippsland Shire Council Welshpool to Port Welshpool Trail Extension 70,000

South Gippsland Shire Council Mossvale Park (Berry's Creek) Soundshell 75,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre Precinct Upgrade 183,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Penshurst Discovery Centre Upgrade 131,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Southern Grampians Halls Cluster Upgrade 250,000

Strathbogie Shire Council Euroa Overpass and Town Entrance Improvements 300,000

Surf Coast Shire Council Aireys Inlet Hall Improvement 18,901

Swan Hill Rural City Council McCrae Street (Swan Hill) Beautification (Stage 2) 250,000

Swan Hill Rural City Council Lake Boga Caravan Park Development 73,875

Towong Shire Council Corryong MFSR Visitor Precinct 277,500


Gannawarra Shire Council Murrabit Effluent Re-use Scheme 69,197

Gannawarra Shire Council Kerang Heritage Exhibition Centre 72,993

Gannawarra Shire Council Kerang Memorial Hall Improvements 300,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Koondrook Town Centre Improvements 250,000

Glenelg Shire Council Dartmoor Community Recreation Reserve Upgrade 40,000

Glenelg Shire Council Portland Cable Tram Terminus Relocation 32,000

Glenelg Shire Council Nelson Foreshore Renewal 250,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Rokewood, Corindhap and Dereel Linkages 70,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Inverleigh Lawson's Park Upgrade 84,000

Greater Bendigo City Council Elmore Streetscape Upgrade 250,000

Greater Geelong City Council Portarlington Rotunda Restoration 30,000

Hepburn Shire Council Clunes Rotunda and Townscape 90,000

Hepburn Shire Council Glenlyon Shire Hall Upgrade 92,000

Hepburn Shire Council Victoria Park (Daylesford) Events Precinct 127,050

Hindmarsh Shire CouncilWimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum (Jeparit) Access and Amenities

163,800

Hindmarsh Shire Council Nine Creeks to Dimboola – Wetland, Walking and Bicycle Tracks 95,500

Hindmarsh Shire Council Rainbow King Street Pedestrian Link and Reserve 109,000

Hindmarsh Shire Council Rainbow Federal Street Beautification 180,000

Horsham Rural City Council Dadswells Bridge Water Connection 60,000

Indigo Shire Council Tangambalanga Community Multi Purpose Activity Centre 230,000

Indigo Shire Council Osborne's Flat Community Centre 70,000

Indigo Shire Council Chiltern Historic Commercial Precinct Revitalisation – Stage 2 200,000

Latrobe City Council Traralgon South Shared Path 119,000

Loddon Shire Council Boort Eastern Entrance Development – Stage 2 240,000

Loddon Shire Council Boort Memorial Hall Upgrade 130,000

Loddon Shire Council Serpentine Industrial Estate 49,875

Loddon Shire Council Inglewood Blue Eucy Park Development 300,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Malmsbury Village: People and Places 250,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Dixons Field, Gisborne – Recycled Water and Reserve Improvement 250,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Woodend Children's Park 50,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Linking Macedon's Communities 300,000

Mansfield Shire Council Making Mansfield a Connected Community 300,000

Mildura Rural City Council Ouyen Identified 130,000


: 118 119 :



Towong Shire Council Corryong Museum Annexe 200,000

Wellington Shire Council Port Albert Rutter Park Development 100,000

Wellington Shire Council Seabank to Port Albert and Golden Beach Pathways 100,000

Wellington Shire Council Yarram Water Reuse and Wetlands 250,000

West Wimmera Shire Council Goroke Accommodation Development 59,600

West Wimmera Shire Council Edenhope Shearing Centre Project 80,000

Yarriambiack Shire Council Warracknabeal Town Hall Redevelopment 121,640

Yarriambiack Shire Council Minyip Wetlands Traveller's Rest Development 124,905

Yarriambiack Shire Council Rupanyup Multipurpose Community Centre Development 300,000

Yarriambiack Shire Council McGinnis Park (Hopetoun) Facilities Upgrade 32,200

Yarriambiack Shire Council Yarriambiack Local Roadside Clearance 300,000

Yarriambiack Shire Council Murtoa Lake Marma Walking Track 66,100


Alpine Shire Council Mystic Park Redevelopment 60,000

Alpine Shire Council Wandiligong Alpine Park Revitalisation 36,650

Ararat Rural City Council Ararat Streetscape Stage 2 83,000

Ararat Rural City Council J Ward Redevelopment 55,000

Ararat Rural City Council Lake Bolac Community Precinct 61,000

Ararat Rural City Council Tatyoon Hall Upgrade 70,000

Ararat Rural City Council Willaura Memorial Hall Upgrade 25,000

Bass Coast Shire Council National Vietnam Veterans' Museum Project 60,019

Baw Baw Shire Council Walhalla Goldfields Railway Reconstruction 93,750

Baw Baw Shire Council Walhalla Long Tunnel Mine Access 80,000

Baw Baw Shire Council Yarragon Train Exhibit Upgrade Project 20,000

Benalla Rural City Benalla Drill Hall Upgrade Project 100,000

Benalla Rural City Eastern Gateway to Benalla 125,000

Benalla Rural City Winton Gateway Project 75,000


Borough of Queenscliffe Bellarine Peninsula Railway Development Project 125,000

Buloke Shire Council Charlton Water Use 24,421

Buloke Shire Council Green Lake Recreation Reserve Facilities 36,654

Campaspe Shire Council Girgarre Commercial Hub Revitalisation 95,000

Campaspe Shire Council Lockington Rural Expo Facilities 62,500

Campaspe Shire Council Pinegrove Recreation Reserve Upgrade 13,000

Central Goldfields Shire Council Dunolly Recreation Reserve Upgrade 12,600

Central Goldfields Shire CouncilMaryborough Retail Precinct Revitalisation Project

125,000

Central Goldfields Shire Council Princes Park Facilities Upgrade 20,000

Central Goldfields Shire CouncilWorsley Cottage – Development of Research and Exhibition Space

55,000

City of Ballarat Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail Upgrade Stage 2 125,000

City of Greater Geelong Bellarine Rail Trail Improvements 75,000

City of Greater Geelong Ceres Township Development Project 62,500

City of Greater Geelong Leopold Hall Redevelopment Project 51,200

City of Greater Shepparton Tatura Park Exhibition and Events Complex 250,000

City of Warrnambool Allansford Hall Upgrade 66,250

Colac Otway Shire Council Barwon Downs Park Upgrade Stage 1 60,000

Colac Otway Shire Council Pirron Yallock Hall Upgrade Project 20,000

Corangamite Shire Council Berrybank Hall Upgrade Project 10,000

Corangamite Shire Council Camperdown Theatre Royal Redevelopment 75,000

Corangamite Shire Council Pomborneit Hall Upgrade Project 20,000

East Gippsland Shire Council East Bairnsdale Community Precinct Project 20,000

East Gippsland Shire CouncilLuderick Point (Bemm River) Tourist Facility Redevelopment

50,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Metung Shared Path (Shaving Point) 55,000

East Gippsland Shire Council Swifts Creek CBD Renewal 125,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Benjeroop Hall Upgrade 17,972

Gannawarra Shire Council Kerang Town Entry 76,550

Gannawarra Shire Council Lalbert Community Facility Development 40,000

Gannawarra Shire Council Lalbert Town Centre Development 33,600



: 120 121 :



Mansfield Shire Council Mansfield Community Connectivity 125,000

Mansfield Shire Council Merrijig Hall Upgrade 110,000

Mansfield Shire Council Tolmie Hall Upgrade Project 60,000

Mildura Rural City Council Lake Cullulleraine Track Upgrade 8,483

Mildura Rural City Council Mallee Track Recyled Water 11,225

Mildura Rural City Council Underbool Community Facility Development 48,171

Mildura Rural City Council Underbool Water Upgrade 250,000

Mitchell Shire Council Pyalong Recreation Reserve Upgrade 70,000

Mitchell Shire Council Seymour Chittick Park Redevelopment Project 116,133

Moira Shire Council Moira Small Towns Revitalisation 50,000

Moorabool Shire Council Bungaree Hall Upgrade 31,920

Moorabool Shire Council Caledonian Park Development 25,000

Moorabool Shire Council Greendale Rotunda and Picnic Facilities 23,000

Moorabool Shire Council Korweinguboora Community Facility Upgrade 20,000

Moorabool Shire Council Maddingley Park Redevelopment Project 115,000

Moorabool Shire Council Myrniong Rotunda and Outdoor Space Upgrade 25,000

Mount Alexander Shire Council Maldon Gardens Rejuvination and Rotunda Project 24,500

Mount Alexander Shire Council Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Expansion 15,000

Moyne Shire Council Koroit CBD Streetscape Project 50,000

Moyne Shire Council Macarthur Quality Water Supply 125,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Acheron Hall Upgrade Stage 2 9,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Eildon Town Entrance Revitalisation Project 70,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Highlands Community Hall and Precinct Upgrade 16,888

Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake Community Pavilion Project 50,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake Services Centre Precinct Upgrade 25,000

Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake West Memorial Hall Upgrade 27,300

Murrindindi Shire Council Thornton Hall Restoration Project 80,500

Murrindindi Shire Council Yea Recreation Reserve Facility Upgrade 40,500

Murrindindi Shire Council Yea Recreation Reserve Upgrade 23,750

Murrindindi Shire Council Yea Wetlands Stage 2 Development 32,500

Northern Grampians Shire Council Halls Gap Community and Tourism Hub Stage 1 125,000


Gannawarra Shire Council Murrabit Hall Precinct Development 66,155

Gannawarra Shire Council Mystic Park Water Supply Improvements 35,000

Glenelg Shire Council Heywood's Fitzroy River Precinct Upgrade 31,500

Golden Plains Shire Council Bannockburn Community & Cultural Hub Phase 1 125,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Smythesdale Town Centre Project 210,000

Golden Plains Shire Council Teesdale Turtle Bend Meeting Place 36,250

Hepburn Shire Council Clydesdale Hall Upgrade 10,000

Hepburn Shire Council Creswick Visitor Information Centre Precinct Development 106,000

Hepburn Shire Council Daylesford Market Upgrade 25,628

Hindmarsh Shire Council Dimboola Streetscape 23,457

Hindmarsh Shire Council Nhill South Eastern Approach 49,000

Hindmarsh Shire CouncilNine Creeks to Dimboola – Wetland, Walking and Bicycle Tracks Project

47,750

Hindmarsh Shire Council Rainbow Heritage Streetscape 25,000

Hindmarsh Shire Council Rainbow Urban Design Plan Implementation – Stage 1 24,000

Horsham Rural City Council Dadswells Bridge Village Pathway Link 33,683

Horsham Rural City Council Haven Hall Entry and Kitchen Improvements 15,587

Horsham Rural City Council Wail Arboretum Education, Recreation and Tourism Facility 26,355

Latrobe City Council Yinnar Historical and Township Entry Signage Project 24,000

Loddon Shire Council Boort Community Facility Aerodrome Terminal 43,501

Loddon Shire Council Boort Eastern Entrance Development – Stage 1 125,000

Loddon Shire Council Inglewood Reservoir to Reserve Project 66,666

Loddon Shire Council Inglewood Shopping Precinct Development 75,000

Loddon Shire Council Newbridge Riverside Stop Project 100,000

Macedon Ranges Shire CouncilDixon Field, Gisborne – Recycled Water and Reserve Improvement

125,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Gisborne Heritage Parklands Precinct Upgrade 104,778

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Lancefield Park Community Facilities Upgrade 97,518

Macedon Ranges Shire CouncilNewham Mechanics Institute Hall and Precinct Conservation and Renovation

125,000

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Riddells Creek Recycled Water Use 125,000

Mansfield Shire Council Bonnie Doon Township Enhancement Project 83,000

Mansfield Shire Council Gaffney's Creek Community Facility Project 42,500

Mansfield Shire Council Gough Bay's Picnic Point and Pathways Project 60,000


: 122 123 :



Northern Grampians Shire Council Halls Gap Urban Design Framework Implementation, Stage 2 40,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Halls Gap Water Harvesting and Re-use Initiaitve 125,000

Northern Grampians Shire Council Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Upgrade 125,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Avoca Recreation Complex 72,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Avoca Streetscape Project 100,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Landsborough/Navarre Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant 250,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Moonambel Pavilion Project 125,000

Pyrenees Shire Council Raglan Hall Upgrade Stage 2 15,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Hamilton Visitor Information Centre Upgrade 30,000

Southern Grampians Shire Council Southern Grampians Tourism Project 125,000

Strathbogie Shire Council Euroa Golf Course Water Re-use 30,000

Strathbogie Shire Council Progressing Euroa 124,500

Surf Coast Shire Council Aireys Inlet Hall Improvement 18,096

Surf Coast Shire Council Anglesea Riverbank Development 125,000

Swan Hill Rural City Council Manangatang Wattle Street Improvements 25,267

Swan Hill Rural City Council McCrae Street Beautification (Stage 2) Project 125,000

Swan Hill Rural City Council Robinvale Riverfront Renewal – Stage 1 48,850

Swan Hill Rural City Council Wemen Hall Development 42,000

Towong Shire Council Walwa Community Wastewater Treatment and Re-use 125,000

Wangaratta Rural City Council Cheshunt Hall Refurbishment 27,750

Wellington Shire Council Cowwarr Streetscape 28,000

Wellington Shire Council Port Albert Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum Exhibition 49,750

Wellington Shire Council Victoria Park Landscape Masterplan Implementation Project 120,000

West Wimmera Shire Council Edenhope Foreshore Walking Track 37,840

West Wimmera Shire Council Kaniva Regional Wetlands Gateway 8,333

Yarriambiack Shire Council Beulah Pioneer Park Development 3,291

Yarriambiack Shire Council Murtoa Community Centre Additions 23,000

Yarriambiack Shire CouncilWarracknabeal Leisure Centre Rain Water Harvesting, Storage and Use

23,509

Yarriambiack Shire Council Warracknabeal Showgrounds Redevelopment Stage 2 26,885

Yarriambiack Shire Council Warracknabeal Town Hall Redevelopment 60,820

Yarriambiack Shire Council Yaapeet Recreation Reserve Camping Facilities 27,858


: 124 125 :

Revenueand Expenses4.5

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2008/09$’000

2007/08$’000

INCOME FROM TRANSACTIONS

Output appropriations 53,086 50,051

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund appropriations 41,000 91,000

Other Revenue 9,303 11,945

Other income (1,516) (2,839)

TOTAL INCOME FROM TRANSACTIONS 101,873 150,157

EXPENSES FROM TRANSACTIONS

Grants and other payments (83,338) (80,547)

Employee benefits (12,220) (12,175)

Depreciation and amortisation (629) (755)

Capital asset charge (289) (354)

Other operating expenses (10,651) (9,864)

Interest (53) (59)

TOTAL EXPENSES FROM TRANSACTIONS (107,180) (103,754)

(5,307) 46,403

• Controlled income and expenses for the year ended 30 June 2009

The net result for the period reflects additional payments made out of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Trust Account. Payments made from the Trust Account in 2008/09 to committed projects exceeded budget appropriations.

The balance of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Trust Account at 30 June 2009 was $198.35 million. This funding is held in trust to meet existing project commitments due in future periods.

Regional Development Victoria was established under the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002. The financial operations of Regional Development Victoria are included in the Financial Reports of the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

Output Targets and Performance 4.4

OUTPUT PERFORMANCE INDICATORUNIT OF

MEASURE2008/09 TARGET

2008/09 ACTUAL

Regional Infrastructure Development

Quantity

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) projects funded (excluding Small Towns Development Fund)

number 15 68

Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) projects funded number 60 103

Quantity

RIDF Committee recommendations accepted by Ministers per cent 90% 100%

Timeliness

Advice to RIDF applicants – after receipt of applications days 90 106

OUTPUT PERFORMANCE INDICATORUNIT OF

MEASURE2008/09 TARGET

2008/09 ACTUAL

Regional Economic Development, Investment and Promotion

Quantity

Companies in regional Victoria provided with assistance for growth opportunities

number 160 200

Jobs created in regional Victoria number 1,000 1,956

New exports facilitated in regional Victoria $ million 140 149.6

New investment facilitated in regional Victoria $ million 750 1,589

Projects to support growth in Victorian Food Industry number 25 25

Delivery of Leadership Programs in Provincial Victorianumber

per region1 1

Enquiries to provincial councils about living, working and/or investing in their region

number 500 246

Projects to support council plans for growth and change number 25 26

Provincial Economic Partnerships – projects supported number 25 34

Provincial Events held with RDV Support number 55 95

Quantity

Regional councils satisfied with RDV’s delivery of promotion and development programs

per cent 75% 97%

Timeliness

Regional councils satisfied with timeliness of RDVs response to queries and funding applications

per cent 75% 93%

: 126 127 :

Legislation4.8The legislation for which RDV is responsible is the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002, which establishes RDV and outlines its functions and duties.

RDV administers money paid out of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund in accordance with the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Act 1999.

Consolidated financial statements for the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) and Regional Development Victoria (RDV) are contained in the Annual Report 2007/08 published by DIIRD.

Sections 4.4 and 4.5 of this report contain Output Targets and Performance and Revenue and Expenses respectively, for RDV for the year ended 30 June 2009.

Compliance requirements in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Directions of the Minister for Finance are managed by DIIRD on behalf of RDV.

Consolidated compliance reporting information for RDV, for the financial year 2008/09, is contained in the Annual Report 2008/09 published by DIIRD.

Financial Performance

Compliance

4.6

4.7

: 128

Contact Information5.0

Ballarat

48 Sturt StreetBallarat 3350

T 5320 5900F 5320 5998

Bendigo

46 Edward StreetBendigo 3550

T 5442 4100F 5442 5452

Geelong

69 Moorabool StreetGeelong 3220

T 5229 0641F 5229 9503

Mildura

131 Langtree AvenueMildura 3500

T 5051 2000F 5051 2020

Shepparton

3/164 Welsford StreetShepparton 3630

T 5821 1811F 5822 2554

Traralgon

33 Breed StreetTraralgon 3844

T 5174 9233F 5174 7545

Wangaratta

36 Ford StreetWangaratta 3677

T 5721 6988F 5721 2265

Wodonga

6/22 Stanley StreetWodonga 3689

T 02 6056 2166F 02 6056 2334

Ararat

T 5352 1367

Bairnsdale

T 5153 2741

Colac

T 5231 6627

Horsham

T 5381 2762

Mildura

T 5051 2000

Seymour

T 5799 0573

Warrnambool

T 5561 4135

Wodonga

T 02 6056 2166

T 9651 9235 E [email protected]

Regional Development Victoria — Melbourne OfficeLevel 33, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000 T 9651 9138 F 9651 9360

T 13 22 15 — 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday

T 9651 7596 TTY (text telephone) E [email protected]

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) is widely accessible at Victorian Business Centres (VBCs) located across regional Victoria in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wangaratta and Wodonga. VBCs provide a first point of contact for businesses and communities seeking to access government services. RDV also has a presence in Ararat, Bairnsdale, Colac, Echuca, Horsham, Seymour, Warragul and Warrnambool.

VICTORIAN BUSINESS CENTRES — PROVINCIAL VICTORIA

RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS — PROVINCIAL VICTORIA

Regional Infrastructure Development Fund Victorian Business Line

regional development victoria · i am pleased to submit to you, for presentation to parliament,...

Documents