CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/regional-development.html","20130409092349","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1365499429"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <base href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/regional-development.html"/> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow"/> <meta name="keywords" content=""/> <meta name="title" content="Regional development"/> <meta name="author" content="Administrator"/> <meta name="description" content=""/> <title>Regional development - Premier of Victoria</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349cs_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/modules/mod_superfishmenu/tmpl/css/superfish.css" type="text/css"/> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media/system/js/mootools.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/plugins/system/jx/jx.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media/system/js/caption.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/modules/mod_superfishmenu/tmpl/js/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/modules/mod_superfishmenu/tmpl/js/jquery.event.hover.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/modules/mod_superfishmenu/tmpl/js/jquery.bgiframe.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349js_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/modules/mod_superfishmenu/tmpl/js/superfish.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery.noConflict(); jQuery(function($){ $("ul.sf-menu").superfish({hoverClass:'sfHover', pathClass:'active', pathLevels:0, delay:800, speed:'fast', autoArrows:0, dropShadows:0}).find('ul').bgIframe({top:'auto', left:'auto', width:'auto', height:'auto', opacity:1, src:'javascript:false;'}) }); jQuery.event.special.hover.delay = 100; jQuery.event.special.hover.speed = 100; </script> <meta name="DC.Title" content="Premier of Victoria - Regional development"/> <meta name="DC.Subject" content=""/> <meta name="DC.Description" content=""/> <meta scheme="agls-audience" name="DC.Audience" content="Government"/> <meta scheme="agls-audience" name="DC.Audience" content="General Public"/> <meta name="DC.Creator" scheme="AglsAgent" content="corporatename=Office of the Premier of Victoria"/> <meta name="DC.Date.Created" content=""/> <meta name="DC.Date.Modified" content=""/> <meta scheme="IMT" name="DC.Format" content="text/html"/> <meta name="DC.Format.Extent" content="1524b"/> <meta name="DC.Identifier" scheme="URI" content="http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/"/> <meta name="DC.Language" scheme="RFC3066" content="en-AU"/> <meta name="DC.Publisher" scheme="AglsAgent" content="c=AU,o=Victorian Government,ou=Office of the Premier of Victoria"/> <meta name="DC.Rights" content="http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/copyright.html"/> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349im_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/favicon.png" type="image/x-icon"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349im_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/favicon.png" type="image/x-icon"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20130409092349cs_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/css/screen.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20130409092349cs_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/css/print.css" type="text/css" media="print"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20130409092349cs_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/css/style.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20130409092349cs_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/css/medium.css" type="text/css"/>    <meta name="google-site-verification" content="w26MRgw_dGdpDVs5hFpo_2cQYHABxkbVQAqM6GR0GEs"/> </head> <body class="body"> <div class="outer_surround"> <div class="container"> <div id="top"> <div id="logo"> <a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/index.php" class="align_left"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349im_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/images/banners/premier%20of%20victoria%20title%20banner.jpg" alt="Premier of Victoria"/></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.vic.gov.au/" class="align_right"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349im_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/images/logo_vicgov.png" id="vicgov_logo" alt="State Government of Victoria"/></a> </div> <div id="top_right"> <div id="mainmenu"> <div class="moduletable"> <ul class="menu sf-menu sf-horizontal"><li class="first-child item1"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/"><span>Home</span></a></li><li class="item6"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/the-premier.html"><span>The Premier</span></a></li><li class="parent active item2"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment.html"><span>Our commitment</span></a><ul><li class="first-child item39"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/implemented-policies.html"><span>Implemented policies</span></a></li><li class="item198"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/aboriginal-affairs.html"><span>Aboriginal affairs</span></a></li><li class="item200"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/agriculture.html"><span>Agriculture</span></a></li><li class="item201"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/arts.html"><span>Arts</span></a></li><li class="item179"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/bushfire-response.html"><span>Bushfire response</span></a></li><li class="item199"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/children-and-early-childhood-development.html"><span>Children and early childhood development</span></a></li><li class="item216"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/climate-change.html"><span>Climate change</span></a></li><li class="item197"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/consumer-affairs.html"><span>Consumer affairs</span></a></li><li class="item202"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/community-services.html"><span>Community services</span></a></li><li class="item203"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/economy-and-state-finances.html"><span>Economy and state finances</span></a></li><li class="item204"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/education.html"><span>Education</span></a></li><li class="item180"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/energy-and-resources.html"><span>Energy and resources</span></a></li><li class="item196"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/gaming.html"><span>Gaming</span></a></li><li class="item217"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/growing-victorian-businesses.html"><span>Growing Victorian businesses</span></a></li><li class="item205"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/health.html"><span>Health</span></a></li><li class="item206"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/housing.html"><span>Housing</span></a></li><li class="item207"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/integrity-of-government.html"><span>Integrity of government</span></a></li><li class="item208"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/law-and-order.html"><span>Law and order</span></a></li><li class="item190"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/local-government.html"><span>Local government</span></a></li><li class="item210"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/mental-health.html"><span>Mental health</span></a></li><li class="item211"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/multicultural-affairs.html"><span>Multicultural affairs</span></a></li><li class="item212"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/planning.html"><span>Planning</span></a></li><li class="item213"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/public-transport-and-roads.html"><span>Public transport and roads</span></a></li><li id="current" class="active item214"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/regional-development.html"><span>Regional development</span></a></li><li class="last-child item215"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/water-and-the-environment.html"><span>Water and the environment</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="item218"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/the-team.html"><span>The team</span></a></li><li class="parent item11"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases.html"><span>Media centre</span></a><ul><li class="parent item9"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases.html"><span>Media releases</span></a></li><li class="item10"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/transcripts.html"><span>Transcripts</span></a></li><li class="item104"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/videos.html"><span>Videos</span></a></li><li class="last-child item187"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/photo-gallery.html"><span>Photo gallery</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="parent item53"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements.html"><span>Announcements</span></a><ul><li class="first-child item194"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/china-super-trade-mission-outcomes-interim-report.html"><span>China super trade mission outcomes – interim report</span></a></li><li class="parent item50"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/budget2011-12.html"><span>Victorian State Budget</span></a></li><li class="item188"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/anzac-day-2012.html"><span>ANZAC Day 2012</span></a></li><li class="item176"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/flinders-street-station-design-competition.html"><span>Flinders Street Station design competition</span></a></li><li class="item173"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/write-a-plate-for-your-state.html"><span>Write a plate for your state</span></a></li><li class="item174"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/crack-down-on-illegal-puppy-farms.html"><span>Crackdown on illegal puppy farms</span></a></li><li class="item101"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/anzac-day-2011.html"><span>ANZAC Day 2011</span></a></li><li class="last-child item102"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/first-100-days.html"><span>First 100 days</span></a></li></ul></li><li class="last-child item37"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/contact.html"><span>Contact</span></a></li></ul><div class="superfish_clear"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="breadcrumb"> <div class="moduletable"> <span class="breadcrumbs pathway"> You are here: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/" class="pathway">Home</a> » <a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment.html" class="pathway">Our commitment</a> » <span class="path">Regional development</span></span> </div> </div> <div id="page-content-full" class="width_left"> <div id="left"> <div id="left_top"> </div> <div class="moduletable"> <div class="moduletable"> <div id="left_sub_header">Our commitment</div><ul id="mainlevel"><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/implemented-policies.html" class="mainlevel">Implemented policies</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/aboriginal-affairs.html" class="mainlevel">Aboriginal affairs</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/agriculture.html" class="mainlevel">Agriculture</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/arts.html" class="mainlevel">Arts</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/bushfire-response.html" class="mainlevel">Bushfire response</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/children-and-early-childhood-development.html" class="mainlevel">Children and early childhood development</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/climate-change.html" class="mainlevel">Climate change</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/consumer-affairs.html" class="mainlevel">Consumer affairs</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/community-services.html" class="mainlevel">Community services</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/economy-and-state-finances.html" class="mainlevel">Economy and state finances</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/education.html" class="mainlevel">Education</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/energy-and-resources.html" class="mainlevel">Energy and resources</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/gaming.html" class="mainlevel">Gaming</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/growing-victorian-businesses.html" class="mainlevel">Growing Victorian businesses</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/health.html" class="mainlevel">Health</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/housing.html" class="mainlevel">Housing</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/integrity-of-government.html" class="mainlevel">Integrity of government</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/law-and-order.html" class="mainlevel">Law and order</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/local-government.html" class="mainlevel">Local government</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/mental-health.html" class="mainlevel">Mental health</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/multicultural-affairs.html" class="mainlevel">Multicultural affairs</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/planning.html" class="mainlevel">Planning</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/public-transport-and-roads.html" class="mainlevel">Public transport and roads</a></li><li class="mainlevel_current"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/regional-development.html" class="mainlevel_current" id="active_menu">Regional development</a></li><li class="mainlevel"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/water-and-the-environment.html" class="mainlevel">Water and the environment</a></li></ul> </div> </div> <div id="left_bottom"> </div> </div> <div class="full_width no_right"> <div id="inner_page"> <div id="article_top"></div> <div id="article_middle"> <h1 class="contentheading "> Regional development</h1> <p>The Coalition Government is investing in and growing regional and rural Victoria to create more opportunities and a better quality of life by building on the strengths of the regions and maintaining growth in the face of economic challenges.The Coalition has invested $1 billion in the Regional Growth Fund over eight years to drive growth and prosperity in regional Victoria. The fund promotes a grass-roots approach by identifying community projects and provides flexible funding through five Regional Development Committees that will help communities to fill gaps in services and infrastructure and create job opportunities.Delivering a fairer share of funding and resources to regional cities and country communities is part of the Coalition’s strong plan to:</p> <ul> <li>create more jobs and improve career opportunities;</li> <li>leverage additional investment;</li> <li>strengthen the economic base; and</li> <li>provide better infrastructure, facilities and services across the state.</li> </ul> <p>It is essential that we use this funding to enable regional Victoria to improve services, facilities and infrastructure, so that regional communities are best placed to accommodate future population growth.</p> <h2>Budget initiatives supporting regional Victoria</h2> <p>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the Coalition Government committed to fixing infrastructure and improving access to critical services in rural and regional areas. Some of the highlights of the Budget include:</p> <ul> <li>$199 million towards hospital upgrades, including $93 million to expand Geelong Hospital by 64 beds and increase its capacity to provide palliative care and $46 million for 60 extra beds at Ballarat Hospital and the construction of a helipad.</li> <li>Better rail services, including the Regional Rail Link, in addition to the $171 million for regional rail maintenance.</li> <li>More assistance to support increased productivity in Victoria’s agricultural industries.</li> <li>$172 million for regional infrastructure projects including $38 million to construct Ballarat Western Link Road and $42 million to continue duplication of the Western Highway between Beaufort and Buangor.</li> <li>$200 million to progressively replace highest risk powerlines, an expanded fuel reduction burning program and extra CFA vehicles and equipment.</li> </ul> <h2>Coalition Government initiatives by region</h2> <p><strong>Barwon South West<br/></strong>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the government will invest more than $113 million in the region which includes:</p> <ul> <li>$93.3 million for a major upgrade of the Geelong Hospital;</li> <li>$5 million to develop a radiotherapy service for South West Victoria in Warrnambool;</li> <li>$8.3 million for regeneration of Northern Bay College;</li> <li>$2.5 million for modernisation of Woolsthorpe Primary School;</li> <li>$2.1 million for planning the Lara to Avalon airport rail link;</li> <li>$2 million for renewal of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre; and</li> <li>a new police station at Waurn Ponds.</li> </ul> <p>These initiatives build upon a number of other key investment projects in the Barwon South West region including:</p> <ul> <li>$26.5 million for a new secondary college at Torquay;</li> <li>$26.5 million for the third stage of the redevelopment of Skilled Stadium;</li> <li>$8.3 million to support the upgrade of the Geelong Hospital;</li> <li>A special $11 million fund to drive jobs growth and deliver community infrastructure in Geelong;</li> <li>$10.2 million to support the regeneration of Colac Secondary College;</li> <li>$10 million for the improvement of the Warrnambool to Geelong rail link;</li> <li>$15 million for Princes Highway overtaking lanes west of Colac;</li> <li>$3 million to plan for a Lara to Avalon airport rail link;</li> <li>$5 million to begin work on Princes Highway West between Colac and Winchelsea;</li> <li>$3 million for the Geelong Ring Road Noise Walls initiative;</li> <li>$15 million towards the new Geelong Library and Heritage Centre;</li> <li>$2 million for planned upgrades at the Geelong Campus of the Gordon Institute of TAFE;</li> <li>$1 million for the first stage of the Warrnambool Rainwater Roof Harvesting Demonstration project;</li> <li>the opening of the new Geelong SES headquarters; and</li> <li>additional funding for economic infrastructure and community initiatives through the Regional Growth Fund.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Grampians<br/></strong>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the government will invest more than $135 million in the region which includes:</p> <ul> <li>$42.2 million to duplicate approximately 18km of the Western Highway between Beaufort and Buangor;</li> <li>$35.5 million for the Ballarat West Link Road;</li> <li>$46.4 million for an upgrade of the Ballarat Hospital;</li> <li>$10 million for modernisation of Phoenix Community College;</li> <li>provision of extra early childhood development workers;</li> <li>$1 million over three years to return the health of the Yarrowee River; and</li> <li>the extension of funding for the Ballarat office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet for another 12 months.</li> </ul> <p>These initiatives build upon a number of other key investment projects in the Grampians region including:</p> <ul> <li>$73.4 million over four years for additional health services in Ballarat, including support for the recruitment of 10 general practitioners to fill vacancies in the Ballarat area and an additional 20 doctors and 80 nurses at Ballarat Base Hospital;</li> <li>$50 million to duplicate the Western Highway between Burrumbeet and Beaufort;</li> <li>$5.57 million upgrade of Ballarat Airport. The Ballarat Airport Investment Attraction project will consolidate the airport and its precinct as a key investment attraction location for Ballarat and western Victoria.</li> <li>$4.5 million for the Ballarat-Buninyong Road upgrade;</li> <li>$2.5 million to start work on the Ballarat Western Link Rd;</li> <li>$1.6 million over four years to provide an additional 68 services each week to and from Wendouree Station;</li> <li>$1.2 million towards the replacement of the Magpie Bridge in Ballarat;</li> <li>$3.4 million to establish a national grains genebank in Horsham;</li> <li>$7 million for regeneration of Horsham Special School;</li> <li>$2 million over two years towards redevelopment of the Ballan Hospital;</li> <li>$1.8 million over two years for the refurbishment and expansion of Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare facilities;</li> <li>$1 million for the first stage of the Living Ballarat initiative;</li> <li>a new 24-hour staffed ambulance station for Beaufort; and</li> <li>additional funding for economic infrastructure and community initiatives through the Regional Growth Fund.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Loddon Mallee<br/></strong>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the government will invest more than $122 million in the region which includes:</p> <ul> <li>$54.5 million to create an additional 45 beds at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre;</li> <li>$22.7 million to reconstruct the Charlton Hospital;</li> <li>$10 million to upgrade the Castlemaine Hospital;</li> <li>$18 million to redevelop the Swan Hill Hospital aged care facilities;</li> <li>$7 million for modernisation of Castlemaine Secondary College;</li> <li>$5 million for regeneration of Golden Square Primary School;</li> <li>$5 million for regeneration of Ouyen College;</li> <li>two new overtaking lanes on the Melbourne-Lancefield Road;</li> <li>a new multi-disciplinary centre for Bendigo to improve responses to sexual assault;</li> <li>the provision of extra early childhood development workers; and</li> <li>the extension of funding for the Bendigo office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet for another 12 months.</li> </ul> <p>These initiatives build upon a number of other key investment projects in the Loddon Mallee region including:</p> <ul> <li>$102 million to expand the scope of the Bendigo Hospital redevelopment project;</li> <li>$40 million towards the Echuca Hospital redevelopment and expansion;</li> <li>$17.9 million towards the Kerang District Hospital residential aged care redevelopment;</li> <li>$5 million provided for the Mildura Base Hospital expansion;</li> <li>$5.2 million for two rural overtaking lanes for the Melbourne-Lancefield Road;</li> <li>$2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project;</li> <li>broad support for flood affected communities including $17.5 million for a Lower Loddon Irrigators Recovery package, and $5.1 million for Lower Loddon floodplain and groundwater bore works;</li> <li>$3.7 million in funding for the Bendigo Art Gallery upgrade;</li> <li>$2.5 million for the upgrade of the Talbot Station;</li> <li>$2 million towards redevelopment of the Bendigo Library and Community Hub;</li> <li>$2 million towards Stage 2 of the Bendigo Showgrounds Masterplan  development;</li> <li>$7 million towards the Mildura Riverfront Development project;</li> <li>$5.2 million towards the upgrade of the Mildura Airport Terminal;</li> <li>$4 million over four years to establish a Centre of Expertise in Smoke Taint in Mildura;</li> <li>$2 million for infrastructure works at Hazeldene’s Lockwood site;</li> <li>$2 million for the refurbishment of Eaglehawk Primary School;</li> <li>$1 million for a new water treatment plant at Wycheproof;</li> <li>upgrade of the Maryborough and Castlemaine ambulance stations to 24-hour rostered coverage; and</li> <li>additional funding for economic infrastructure and community initiatives through the Regional Growth Fund.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Hume<br/></strong>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the government will invest more than $43 million in the region which includes:</p> <ul> <li>$20 million to redevelop and expand the Kilmore and District Hospital;</li> <li>$10 million for regeneration of Wodonga Senior Secondary College;</li> <li>$5.4 million for modernisation of Belvoir Wodonga Special Development School;</li> <li>$2 million to develop chemotherapy services at Seymour District Memorial Hospital; and</li> <li>$6 million for rest area upgrades from the Hume Highway.</li> </ul> <p>These initiatives build upon a number of other key investment projects in the Hume region including:</p> <ul> <li>$2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project;</li> <li>$7 million for regeneration of Seymour College;</li> <li>$5.2 million to support economic recovery in Marysville and surrounding communities;</li> <li>up to $19 million towards the development of a hotel and conference centre in Marysville;</li> <li>$2.1 million towards redevelopment of the Indigo Shire Civic Centres;</li> <li>$2.2 million toward a new wastewater management system at Bruck Textile’s plant in Wangaratta;</li> <li>$3.4 million to start work on the Kilmore-Wallan Bypass;</li> <li>$3 million for the Junction Place, Central Wodonga Urban Renewal Initiative project;</li> <li>$1.64 million for a central service hub in Wodonga for Australia's busiest freight route between Melbourne and Sydney;</li> <li>$1 million to connect Moyhu to a sewerage system;</li> <li>a new 24-hour staffed ambulance station for Wallan; and</li> <li>additional funding for economic infrastructure and community initiatives through the Regional Growth Fund.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Gippsland<br/></strong>In the 2012-13 Victorian State Budget, the government will invest more than $28 million in the region which includes:</p> <ul> <li>$10 million for modernisation of Bairnsdale Secondary College;</li> <li>$7.5 million for modernisation of Mirboo North Secondary College;</li> <li>$10.7 million to further improve Warragul Station, as part of the $17 million Warragul Station Precinct Project;</li> <li>funding for overtaking lanes on the Strzelecki and Hyland highways;</li> <li>a new Multi-Disciplinary Centre for the Latrobe Valley to improve responses to sexual assault; and</li> <li>the provision of extra early childhood development workers.</li> </ul> <p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p>These initiatives build upon a number of other key investment projects in the Gippsland region including:</p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <ul> <li>$30 million to support the Latrobe Valley transition to a more diversified economy to meet the challenges brought about by the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s national carbon price;</li> <li>$8 million for sealing the Omeo highway;</li> <li>$6 million to repair the road to Tidal River;</li> <li>establishment of 800 new weekly bus services in the Latrobe Valley;</li> <li>the establishment of the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee with $10 million over four years for environmental projects;</li> <li>$2 million towards the Great Southern Rail Trail extension;</li> <li>$10 million for regeneration of Leongatha Secondary College;</li> <li>$3 million for modernisation of Toorloo Arm Primary School;</li> <li>investigating the potential for carbon capture storage in the Latrobe Valley;</li> <li>$2 million towards the Warragul Hospital emergency department upgrade;</li> <li>$1.5 million to upgrade the East Gippsland Institute of TAFE;</li> <li>$1.1 million towards the enhancement of Wonthaggi town entrance;</li> <li>$1 million to complete stage 1 of the Lindenow Valley Water Security project;</li> <li>$1 million to connect Alberton to a pressured sewerage system;</li> <li>a new 24-hour staffed ambulance station for Grantville; and</li> <li>additional funding for economic infrastructure and community initiatives through the Regional Growth Fund.</li> </ul> <h2>Achievements and policies implemented</h2> <ul> <li>Introduced and passed the Regional Growth Fund Act and associated regulations. <br/><br/></li> <li>Established and launched the $ 1 billion Regional Growth Fund. <br/><br/></li> <li>Released Stage One of a $1 million feasibility study to deliver natural gas to Murray River communities.<br/><br/></li> <li>Declared the Mildura Riverfront Project a project of state or regional significance and approved funding of $5.2 million towards redevelopment of the Mildura Airport and $7 million towards the riverfront parklands work.</li> <li>Established the Fire Recovery Unit to assist in the ongoing recovery and response to the February 2009 bushfires.<br/><br/></li> <li>Launched the Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund on 1 July 2011 to provide funding to support flood affected Councils and Crown Land reserves. Committees of Management were established to help repair flood-damaged community infrastructure following the 2011 floods.<br/><br/></li> <li>The Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund supported 24 businesses in flood affected areas, with funding totalling $4.9 million.<br/><br/></li> <li>Announced the $5 million 2012 Flood Support Program to restore flood damaged catchments and improve environmental conditions for tourism businesses and irrigators in flood affected areas.<br/><br/></li> <li>Appointed and established the Regional Policy Advisory Committee in August 2011. <br/><br/></li> <li>Commenced the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/infrastructure-programs/energy-for-the-regions" target="_blank">Energy for the Regions program</a> to expand natural gas networks to communities across regional and rural Victoria. Mildura and Huntly were announced as the first towns to benefit from this program. <br/><br/></li> <li>Launched the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry-programs/latrobe-valley-industry-and-employment-roadmap" target="_blank">Latrobe Valley Industry and Employment Roadmap</a>. <br/><br/></li> <li>Launched the $5.2 million Marysville economic development package and extension of subsidised loans and small business mentoring schemes to support economic development in fire-affected areas. <br/><br/></li> <li>The site for development of the Marysville Hotel and Conference Centre has been purchased.<br/><br/></li> <li>The $100 million <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/infrastructure-programs/local-government-program" target="_blank">Local Government Infrastructure Program</a> and the $100 million <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/community-programs/putting-locals-first" target="_blank">Putting Locals First Program</a> were established with both funded by the Regional Growth Fund.<br/><br/></li> <li>Eight regional Community Leadership programs were supported totalling $6 million over four years. <br/><br/></li> <li>The inaugural <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/expo" target="_blank">Regional Victoria Living Expo</a> was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2012, as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment of $3 million over four years to promote opportunities for a better quality of life in regional Victoria. The 2013 Expo will be held on April 19-21, also at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.<br/><br/></li> <li>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://goodmove.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">Good Move Campaign</a> commenced. This four year campaign, with an annual funding commitment of $300,000,  is a research-based TV, radio and print media advertising campaign  aimed to attract people and skills to regional and rural Victoria and capitalise on the profile of the 2012 Victorian Regional Living Expo.<br/><br/></li> <li>As at the end of December  2012, more than 700 Regional Growth Fund grants have been approved with total value of over $200 million leveraging total investment of more than $800 million.<br/><br/></li> <li>The Government announced a $4.4 million investment in an upgrade of SPC Ardmona’s food processing plant in the Goulburn Valley.<br/><br/></li> <li>The Coalition Government has also established the $20 million Partnerships Facilitation Fund, a program supporting alliances between Higher Education institutions and providers of vocational education in regional areas. <br/><br/></li> <li>Launched the $9.4 million, four-year Advancing Country Towns (ACT) program, which aims to create new opportunity and improve quality of life for local people living in communities experiencing complex disadvantage.</li> </ul> <p><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/from-the-minister-for-regional-and-rural-development.html">Related media releases »</a></p> <div class="faceandtweet"><div class="faceandtweet_retweet" style="float:right; width:110px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.premier.vic.gov.au%2Four-commitment%2Fregional-development.html" class="twitter-share-button" data-text="Regional development:" data-count="none" data-via="VictorianGovt" data-related="VictorianGovt">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349js_/http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><div class="faceandtweet_like" style="float:right; width:90px; height:50px;"><iframe src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349if_/http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.premier.vic.gov.au%2Four-commitment%2Fregional-development.html&layout=button_count&width=90&show_faces=false&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=50" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:90px; height:50px;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div> </div> <div id="article_bottom"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <div id="footer"> <div id="footer-left"> <div class="moduletable f1"> <h3>OUR COMMITMENT</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/aboriginal-affairs.html">Aboriginal affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/agriculture.html">Agriculture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/arts.html">Arts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/bushfire-response.html">Bushfire response</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/children-and-early-childhood-development.html">Children and early childhood development</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/climate-change.html">Climate change</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/consumer-affairs.html">Consumer affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/community-services.html">Community services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/economy-and-state-finances.html">Economy and state finances</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/education.html">Education</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="moduletable noheading f2"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/health.html">Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/housing.html">Housing</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/integrity-of-government.html">Integrity of government</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/law-and-order.html">Law and order</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/local-government.html">Local government</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/mental-health.html">Mental health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/multicultural-affairs.html">Multicultural affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/planning.html">Planning</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/public-transport-and-roads.html">Public transport and roads</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/regional-development.html">Regional development</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment/water-and-the-environment.html">Water and the environment</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="moduletable f3"> <h3>Media Centre</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases.html">Media releases</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/transcripts.html">Transcripts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/videos.html">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/photo-gallery.html">Photos</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/photo-gallery.html"></a> </p> </div> <div class="moduletable sitemap f4"> <ul class="menu"><li class="item1"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/"><span>Home</span></a></li><li class="item6"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/the-premier.html"><span>The Premier</span></a></li><li class="parent active item2"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/our-commitment.html"><span>Our commitment</span></a></li><li class="item218"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/the-team.html"><span>The team</span></a></li><li class="parent item11"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases.html"><span>Media centre</span></a></li><li class="parent item53"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements.html"><span>Announcements</span></a></li><li class="item37"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/contact.html"><span>Contact</span></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="print_styles" style="display:none;"> <ul> <li>Privacy Statement: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/privacy-statement.html</li> <li>Disclaimer Notice: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/disclaimer.html</li> <li>Accessibility Notice: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/accessibility.html</li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer_standard"> <div id="footer_copyright">© Copyright 2010-2013 State Government of Victoria</div> <div class="moduletable"> <ul class="menu" id="footer_bottom"><li class="item42"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/contact-us.html"><span>Contact us</span></a></li><li class="item43"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/privacy-statement.html"><span>Privacy statement</span></a></li><li class="item44"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/accessibility.html"><span>Accessibility</span></a></li><li class="item45"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/disclaimer.html"><span>Disclaimer</span></a></li><li class="item47"><a href="/web/20130409092349/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sitemap.html"><span>Sitemap</span></a></li></ul> </div> <div class="print_styles_logo" style="display:none;"><img alt="State Government of Victoria" id="vicgov_logo" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349im_/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/templates/webplace/images/logo_vicgov.png"></div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery.noConflict(); jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery('#mainmenu ul.sf-menu li ul').each(function(){ var $lis = jQuery(this).children('li'); if ($lis.size() > 10 ){ for(var i = 0, len = $lis.length; i < len; i+=10){ $lis.slice(i, i+10).wrapAll("<div class='listblock' />"); $lis.slice(i, i+10).wrapAll("<ul />"); } } }); jQuery(".listblock").parent().replaceWith(jQuery("<div class='listwrap'><div class='round'>" +jQuery(".listblock").parent().html() + "</div></div>" )); }); jQuery(document).ready(function($){ if($.browser.msie){ Printfix(); } }); var roundedboxes; function Printfix(){ roundedboxes = jQuery("#mainmenu,.news_slider,.container,.home_main_top,.sf-menu ul li:last-child,.sf-menu ul li.last-child,div.pagination,div.search-pagination,button,a.button"); window.onbeforeprint = removeRoundedboxes; window.onafterprint = addRoundedboxes; } function removeRoundedboxes(){ jQuery(roundedboxes).css("behavior","none"); } function addRoundedboxes(){ jQuery(roundedboxes).css("behavior","url(/PIE.htc)"); } jQuery(function() { jQuery("div.social_icons img") .mouseover(function() { var src = jQuery(this).attr("src").replace("off", "on"); //src = jQuery(this).attr("src").match(/[^\.]+/) + "on.gif"; jQuery(this).attr("src", src); }) .mouseout(function() { var src = jQuery(this).attr("src").replace("on", "off"); jQuery(this).attr("src", src); }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq=_gaq||[]; _gaq.push(['_setAccount','UA-21414080-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function(){ var ga=document.createElement('script'); ga.type='text/javascript'; ga.async=true; ga.src=('https:'==document.location.protocol?'https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/https://ssl':'https://web.archive.org/web/20130409092349/http://www')+'.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga,s);})(); </script>  </body> </html>