Last week the Victorian Budget 2018/19 was handed down by the Government, providing one of the most substantial investments in regional Victoria, and a strong emphasis on funding priorities developed by Victoria’s nine Regional Partnerships.

Strong local advocacy through the Regional Partnership model was instrumental in delivering more than $760 million for key community priorities.

The Budget included funding for priorities that matter to regional communities including fixing regional roads, better and faster access to public transport, as well as initiatives across the digital and tourism portfolios.

More than $9 million was allocated towards specific Regional Partnership projects including the establishment of a Cross Border Commissioner, new family violence crisis centres at Warracknabeal, Stawell, Nhill, Kaniva and St Arnaud, a Central Highlands Prevention Lab, a food and fibre agenda for Gippsland and renewable energy strategy for Goulburn.

Other significant projects include $16 million towards the construction of a new Bendigo GovHub building, that will consolidate more than 1,000 government employees from Bendigo into one location. A $153 million commitment to the Geelong City Deal come to fruition will support visitor economy projects including the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Shipwreck Coast Master Plan and Central Geelong revitalisation.

Budget outcomes are just one measure of success for Regional Partnerships, who are working extremely hard with their communities to embed changes to the way local communities interact with governments, and each other, to drive productive new collaboration and innovative local policy ideas.

Regional Partnerships will continue their conversations with local communities through the Regional Assemblies which are being held over the next few months.

These are authentic community events that are achieving great outcomes for regional people and I urge everyone to get along to their local Assembly and have their say.

In this edition of the newsletter we highlight recent investments in regional advanced manufacturing, our work to create stronger and more connected communities, and how we are working to raise the profile of regional Victoria as a great place to live and visit, through a range of promotional activities.

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.

The Victorian Government is undertaking significant investment in overall digital connectivity in regional Victoria, with the Victorian Budget 2018/19 including $45 million for the Connecting Regional Communities Program.

This Budget announcement and funding was in direct response to the community following all nine Regional Partnerships calling for improvements to digital infrastructure.

Two projects funded by the program are localised digital plans, and enhanced broadband trials.

Work on localised digital plans is underway

Efforts to help create digital plans for each of Victoria’s nine regions are well underway.

An overall investment of more than $1 million is being put towards the digital plans which will bring together the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on each region’s digital infrastructure and services.

The Government is working closely with the nine Regional Partnerships to develop a digital plan tailored to address the specific needs and priorities of their region.

The approach includes investigative fieldwork and mapping of current services including mobile coverage, improved fixed broadband for businesses, and digital hubs and co-working spaces.

The first iterations of the digital plans are to be finalised by mid-2018.

Enhanced broadband one step closer in Morwell and Horsham

The enhanced broadband project is helping regional businesses have a greater ability to compete with metropolitan, interstate and international businesses.

A Request for Proposal for the construction and delivery of enhanced broadband services in Morwell and Horsham was released in early April – a major step forward in this project to trial solutions to enhance broadband services for businesses located in or considering investing in regional Victoria.

A total of $7 million has been allocated for regional enhanced broadband projects in Morwell, North Geelong and Horsham.

Access to enhanced broadband can help business operate with more sophisticated technologies and greater speeds, while improving connectivity and collaboration.

As small-to-medium online businesses are having greater impact on the Australian economy, enhanced broadband is essential for supporting Victoria’s future social and economic growth.

More information about both localised digital plans and enhanced broadband can be found at economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/connecting-victoria

Regional Victoria is home to many innovative manufacturers, and with the launch of Manufutures in April, the future of advanced manufacturing is strong.

Based at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, ManuFutures is an incubator to grow start-up and established advanced manufacturing businesses in regional Australia.

The Victorian Government supported the project with a $3 million investment from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and RDV staff have worked closely with Deakin University to see the project delivered.

ManuFutures will support up to 15 commercial enterprises and 150 people working in advanced manufacturing industries ranging from start-ups to global corporations.

The facility will focus on creating new products and driving the region’s transition to advanced manufacturing by leveraging Deakin University’s industry-focused research expertise.

Australian inventions are often refined and monetised overseas, but ManuFutures will provide an environment to do this locally, which will help local innovators to compete globally.

The $13 million facility will attract private investment, boost commercial returns from research for advanced manufacturing enterprises, and drive the Barwon Region’s transition to high tech, smart manufacturing.

With support from the Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria, filming has commenced on the new Australian feature film Ride Like A Girl.

Directed by Australian film legend Rachel Griffiths, Ride Like A Girl tells the story of Michelle Payne, who famously became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, riding 100-1 long shot, Prince of Penzance.

In total regional Victoria is set to benefit from a share of the film’s projected $14 million injection in the state’s economy. Regional Development Victoria’s financial support means Michelle Payne’s home town of Ballarat will play a central role in the production of the film with a five-day shoot that commenced on 7 May as will other regional towns of Riddells Creek, Clarkefield and Hanging Rock.

Investing in international films like Ride Like A Girl is an important tool in helping to grow Victoria’s regional tourism industry, which is currently worth more than $23 billion to the state’s economy, creates approximately 210,000 local jobs, and attracts in excess of 14 million international and interstate visitors each year.

Filming and production will continue throughout 2018 with a domestic and international release scheduled for the second half of 2019.

RDV is inviting community groups, not for profit organisations, individual businesses, and industry alliances to apply for funding for small projects that will have a big impact in your community.

The Victorian Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Plan (SRCP) is open for applications for community-led initiatives that build community capabilities or improve the liveability of regional and rural towns.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects or activities such as:

• events to promote the local area, industry or businesses
• marketing and promotion to attract new residents and businesses
• small infrastructure works
• employment networking opportunities
• social enterprise projects
• civic and economic development skill building activities.

Since it was launched in 2015, SRCP has invested in projects such as 'This Farmer Needs a Farmer' - a community network in Kyneton that links tree changers on farms with retired and active farmers to share existing skills and knowledge. In Donald, SRCP supported ‘Cuisine in the Crop’ with marketing and promotional assistance for to an event that demonstrated the town’s liveability.

If you have a project idea or know a community group who may benefit from this opportunity, please contact your local Regional Development Victoria office.

The devastating fires that swept through South-West Victoria on 17 and 18 March 2018 caused substantial losses of stock and farming assets, with around 1,000 cattle and 2,000 sheep having died as a result of these fires and substantial pasture and fodder losses.

Significant work has been undertaken to assist affected landholders with ongoing animal health and welfare needs. In total, Agriculture Victoria staff visited hundreds of properties helping with damage and loss assessments, identifying urgent needs and connecting farmers with recovery programs.

Since the fires a number of one-on-one sessions have been undertaken, to support farmers with their pasture recovery.  With burnt areas taking time to recover we are currently offering farmers assistance with feed budgeting to ensure they have enough feed to get their stock through the next few months.

The Victorian Government, along with the Federal Government is also offering concessional loans of up to $200,000 and $10,000 Clean-up and Restoration Grants are now available for farmers affected by fires. Interested producers should contact Rural Finance directly for further information.

Preparations continue for the annual AFL Country Festival on 19 May, featuring traditional rivals  Essendon and Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The brain-child of AFL great Kevin Sheedy, the AFL Country Festival is a tribute to the wonderful contribution our regional towns and communities make to the game of Australian Rules Football.

Prior to the game patrons will enjoy a carnival-like setup in Yarra Park adjacent to the MCG, where they can sample or purchase a wide range of regional produce, interact with farm animals, be entertained with kids’ activities and take in a live concert.

RDV is a proud supporter of the AFL Country Festival and will use the day to further promote the Ready When You Are regional marketing campaign which encourages Melburnians to consider regional Victoria as a great place to live, work and do business.
The festival kicks off at 1:00pm with the match commencing at 4.35pm.

For further information on the AFL Country Festival visit www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2018-02-19/btv-sheedy-launches-country-festival-2018 and for further information on the Victorian Government’s Ready When You Are campaign visit regionalliving.vic.gov.au.