Infrastructure Victoria has today called for infrastructure investment in regional Victoria to target local strengths and address disadvantage, rather than ease Melbourne’s population growth pressures.

Releasing a discussion paper
titled Growing Victoria’s Potential,
the independent infrastructure adviser said regional infrastructure initiatives
should seek to ensure all parts of Victoria were well placed to respond to the
challenges and opportunities of the state’s record population growth.

“Every region in Victoria has
its own unique opportunities and challenges and effective infrastructure
initiatives will target these,” Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer
Michel Masson said.

“We think regional
infrastructure investment should seek to maximise economic development or address
local disadvantage. Identifying initiatives that achieve these aims will be a
key focus of our work over the next year as we update the 30-year
infrastructure strategy.”

Mr Masson said research
undertaken by Infrastructure Victoria showed that each of Victoria’s nine
regions had a strength they could build on, but also key challenges to be
addressed.

“Whether it be a strong
agriculture industry, popular tourist destinations or potential to develop key
sectors like energy or freight, Victoria’s regions are well placed to help grow
Victoria’s potential.

“We want to identify
infrastructure initiatives that help regions harness this great potential to
ensure they share in the benefits of Victoria’s record population growth.

“But our research has also
revealed key challenges that need to be considered across regional Victoria
including the effects of climate change, social disadvantage and the changing
shape of local economies.

“Through our strategy update we
will identify key infrastructure initiatives to tackle these challenges because
we want not just strong regional economies, but good social and environmental
outcomes too.”

Growing Victoria’s Potential is the first in a series of releases
that will occur throughout 2019 as part of the update of the 30-year
infrastructure strategy.

The paper is underpinned by nine
regional profiles which have been developed through a year-long process of data
gathering and consultation with regional stakeholders.

Mr Masson acknowledged the work
of Regional Development Victoria and other key stakeholders in developing the
profiles.

“A critical part of our research
has been working with people who live and work in regional Victoria to ensure
we had local insights to help us better understand the data.

“Over the next year, we will
continue to talk to people right across the state about how infrastructure can
help grow Victoria’s potential and I encourage everyone to join the
conversation,” Mr Masson said.

To read the reports or find out
more about the 30-year infrastructure strategy update, visit
infrastructurevictoria.com.au.

Source: Victoria Infrastructures