Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Council Welcomes Decentralisation Support

Renewed support to the concept of government agency decentralisation.

By Portal Admin - 15th July 2018 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council has welcomed a report from the House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation giving renewed support to the concept of government agency decentralisation.

Latrobe City Council mayor, Cr Darrell White OAM, said that the report was a significant leap forward in Council’s efforts to secure a decentralised Federal Government agency for Latrobe City.

"Our 2016 Strength-Led Transition document highlighted government decentralisation as a key opportunity to diversify our regional economy and to secure ongoing meaningful employment for our community.

"We have been successful in securing a Victorian State Government commitment and the construction of the GovHub in Morwell, this report now sets the scene for the Federal Government to follow suit.

"I’d like to commend the members of the Committee and thank them for their thorough exploration of the opportunities for decentralisation.

"Council takes great encouragement from the recommendations of the Committee and looks forward to the Federal Government taking up the call to further develop a comprehensive Regional Australia White Paper on the issue.

"It is the long held view of Latrobe City Council, and most regional Councils, that the regions are a wealth of untapped potential. Our communities are strong, resilient, welcoming, determined and industrious, however most of all ours is a community determined to secure a bright and prosperous future for the next generation.

"Meaningful education and employment pathways are vital to a regional community’s ongoing sense of hope and optimism. Decentralisation has the opportunity to tap into the skills and experiences of those living in rural and regional areas. It has the potential to reduce operating costs for the Federal Government and to deliver diverse, rich lifestyle options for Federal Government employees.

"For every employee that enjoys the hustle and bustle of city life, there will be one or perhaps two that long for a regional setting, with no traffic congestion, rolling green hills, outstanding health, leisure and recreation facilities, proximity to the beach, the bush and the snow – and naturally that’s where we come in.

"We note the renewed focus on the Federal Government’s City Deals program and are pleased that Latrobe City Council is a City Deals priority area for the Victorian and Federal Government – we’ve been holding City Deals discussions for some three years now and we note that this platform will also be an important driver in not only decentralisation but also infrastructure prioritisation.

"Again, we commend the Committee for their work and thank them for their support of Latrobe City Council’s decentralisation advocacy efforts."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com