This edition of the quarterly newsletter from Regional Development Victoria (RDV) shares key developments being undertaken around the state in regional and rural Victoria with the support of the Victorian Government.

These include jobs and investment milestones marked by two years of delivering the Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund. Since its inception, the fund has attracted more than $1.1 billion in investment, generated $123 million in exports, and created and retained over 4,500 jobs in regional Victoria.

There have been some very pleasing trends relating to the regional economy, with the Victorian Building Authority's release of building approval which shows that regional and rural Victoria recorded higher growth rates for building than in metropolitan Melbourne – increasing 6.9 per cent on the previous financial year to top $5.8 billion.

Such findings indicate that incentives to encourage growth in the regions are on the right track. This includes making it easier for young Victorians to buy their first home by doubling the First Home Owner Grant to $20,000 in the regions, and the recent launch of Ready when you are – a campaign to build awareness and encourage more people to move to regional Victoria.

In this edition, articles on Seeley International and the Government’s reduction of payroll tax rates are examples of why a number of organisations are choosing to base their operations in regional Victoria.

The newsletter provides examples of how RDV supports celebtrating regional achievement through initiatives such as the Regional Leadership Awards, and supporting regional career pathways such asthe Victorian Government’s support for training programs like STEM sisters: If you cant see it, you can't be it in the Latrobe Valley.

We reflect on the 2017 Regional Assemblies that concluded recently. All nine assemblies demonstrated the benefits of local discussion about creating value for individual towns and regions, and how great community ideas can feed directly into government policy and priority settings.

I also encourage you to read the recently released RDV Annual Report 2016-17 to find out more about how the Victorian Government helps boost jobs, investment and quality of life throughout regional and rural Victoria.

James Flintoft

Chief Executive 
Regional Development Victoria

RDV is the Victorian Government’s lead agency responsible for driving economic and community development in rural and regional Victoria. Our aim is to work with local communities to help make regional Victoria a better place to live, work and do business by continuing to make significant contributions to investment, growth and regional planning.

Thousands gather to contribute at 2017 Regional Assemblies

The 2017 Regional Assemblies were held over the last few months, with more than 2,000 people attending and contributing to their communities in the nine partnership regions around the state.

Read more about the Regional Assemblies

Flagship regional fund achieves jobs and investment milestones

It has been two years since the Victorian Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund was introduced.

Read more about the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

More than $1.2 billion in investment, and over 4,600 jobs created and retained in the last two years confirm that government incentives are helping encourage growth in the regions.

Read more about Government incentives.

Australia’s largest air-con maker relocates to regional Victoria

Australia’s largest air conditioning manufacturer, Seeley International, is moving across the Murray to Wodonga and creating more than 300 new jobs in the process.

Read about Seeley International's relocation.

The Victorian Government’s commitment to relocate hundreds of public sector jobs into regional Victoria is now being realised through new GovHubs in Ballarat and the Latrobe Valley.

Read more about Read more about GovHubs.

Award winners raise the bar on achievement in the regions

The winners of the 2017 Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards were announced on Friday 13 October at a gala event designed to celebrate the passion of people committed to making regional Victoria a better place to live.

Read more about the Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards

Major infrastructure projects around Victoria promise to add new artistic energy to regional communities and boost the regional economies of Barwon South West Gippsland, Hume and the Grampians.

Read more about arts infrastructure around the state

This is your chance to contribute to the future of your region

Regional Development Australia is seeking highly motivated leaders with vision, drive, and strong ties to their region to volunteer to Chair their local Regional Development Australia Committee.

Find out more

RDV is pleased to partner with the Department of Education and Training, regional industries and the tertiary education sector to support skills development for women and young people in regional Victoria.

Read more