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Economic forum explores Valley’s future

Learn more about the state government's $40M Transition Fund plans. Be informed. Read on.

By news@gippsland - 3rd August 2016 - Back to News

A forum held at the Gippsland Enterprise Centre, Churchill on Wednesday gave participants a chance to hear in more detail about the state government’s $40M Transition Fund plans. The Hon Jaala Pulford, Minister for Regional Development and the Hon Wade Noonan, Minister for Industry and Employment and Minister for Resources presented to key local business and industry players, state and federal politicians and Latrobe City councillors.

Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Michael Rossiter, said that having the opportunity to engage directly with ministers ensured a frank and forthright debate.

"Following on from the Community Conversation last week, where more than 100 local community members had their say on our region’s economic future, this forum was an opportunity for our business leaders to hear from the ministers about the ideas and framework behind the $40M Transition Fund. More than that, it afforded the capacity for our community’s thoughts, desires and vision for the future of this area to be heard by the very people with the power to influence and set the wheels of diversification in motion.

"We learned today that part of the $40M package, $10M, will be allocated to a locally based 'economic facilitation unit' within Regional Development Victoria. We would be, or course, keen to work closely with this new team and leverage from their new position. And we look forward to learning about the precise details of the rest of the funding allocation," Cr Rossiter said.

"Our big regional industries were well represented at the event – power generators, timber and logging, paper, agribusiness as well as the health and post-secondary education sectors. There was also representation from the other Gippsland municipalities.

"The crux of our position – the very reason for the robust discussions held over the last week – is to ensure the Transition Fund succeeds in providing tangible results for Latrobe Valley. We know that, for our community, it is not enough to talk. We need action and this forum will provide us with the momentum to continue pushing forward to get a positive outcome," Cr Rossiter concluded.

Media Enquiries:

Cr Michael Rossiter, Latrobe City Mayor

Telephone: 0499 981 242

Media Relations Office

Telephone: 5128 5458

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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