Great South Coast assembles again next week

PEOPLE living and working in Victoria’s Great South Coast are being encouraged to continue their conversation with the state government.

Community consultation began last week ahead of the Great South Coast Regional Assembly in Portland on October 12.

In 2016, the top priorities identified for the partnership included:

• Securing a strong and diverse regional economy with more local jobs
• Ensuring a liveable community with strong health, education and training services; better roads and transport and improved digital connectivity, and
• Celebrating the region’s renowned environment, culture and iconic landscapes.

The Great South Coast Regional Partnership has already started seeing the results of its hard work with $1 million announced to continue Beyond the Bell, a program to boost educational attainment. The region will also share in the $45 million Connecting Regional Communities Program to support digital initiatives.

The partnership includes the City of Warrnambool, Glenelg Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Moyne Shire and Corangamite Shire.

The state government established nine Regional Partnerships in 2016 to enable communities to have their say on local matters and provide a direct voice into government decision-making.

This year’s Regional Assembly will give the community a chance to build on the momentum already gained and to share thoughts about what will make the biggest difference to living in the Great South Coast region.

Great South Coast Regional Partnership chair Emily Lee-Ack said the second Regional Assembly and the online survey were excellent opportunities for members of the community to have their say about priorities for the state’s west.

Acting Minister for Regional Development Jacinta Allan said that with well over 1,300 people across the state so far attending 2017’s Regional Assemblies, “we are ready to unleash the best ideas for our Great South Coast region and hear what really matters most to locals”.

“Engage in person at Portland, or have your say online and help shape the future of the Great South Coast.”

Register to attend the Assembly or become part of the conversation online at engage.vic.gov.au/great-south-coast.