The Victorian Government is rolling out the first round of initiatives from Moving Forward, the Government's $502 million blueprint for continued growth in provincial Victoria launched by the Premier, Steve Bracks, in November 2005.
Under Moving Forward, new opportunities exist for non-metropolitan local councils, businesses and communities to get grant funding across a range of areas including marketing and promotions, planning and managing growth, investment attraction, skills and training, export promotions, driving growth in primary industries, and sustainable development and better land management.
Drawing from a new $100 million Provincial Victoria Growth Fund (PVGF), these initiatives will help regional communities capture new opportunities for economic and population growth, and manage the impacts of growth and change.
Underpinning the PVGF is the successful Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) with an extra $200 million to continue to develop high quality infrastructure in regional areas.
Together, these twin funds will deliver substantial new support for local communities across provincial Victoria, providing a strong foundation for future growth, economic development and new opportunities in business and industry.
The Government is building arts facilities across provincial Victoria in a new strategic funding partnership model with local government to provide unprecedented access and participation in the arts across regional Victoria.
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The Government is creating a new Investment Partnerships program that is using investment teams to work in partnership with local councils, businesses, community groups and farmers to leverage funding and investment for projects designed to drive industry, population and economic growth.
The Government is responding to the need for greater support for strategic planning by providing a new provincial planning initiative to help local councils manage growth and plan for future growth.
Regional Development Victoria is giving support to primary industries such as dairy, local roads, forestry, and science, technology and industry.
The Victorian Government is taking new action to attract skilled younger workers to regional areas by investing $5.2 million into a Make Your Career Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign.
The Victorian Government established the Small Towns Development Fund (STDF) in 2003 to help small towns develop the economic and social infrastructure needed to generate new opportunities for growth.
Regional Development Victoria is supporting the sustainable development and management of land with various programs in such areas as property management systems, volunteer committees and Biosecurity.
Regional Development Victoria supports a number of transport initiatives, including new Park and Ride stations, regional bus services upgrades and refitting V/Line's regional train fleet.
Information on the programs and grants offered through Regional Development Victoria.