Budget boost needed for Gippsland growth
Yarragon, Baw Baw Shire Council
One Gippsland has laid out the region’s investment priorities to both levels of government to drive the recovery and growth of the region.
With elections around the corner, One Gippsland has submitted its key funding priorities to both the Australian and Victorian Governments for consideration in the 2022 budget development process.
Latrobe City Council Mayor and Chair of One Gippsland Cr Kellie O’Callaghan said, “We are making a strong case to both levels of government to deliver tangible outcomes across the region, which will support recovery from the pandemic for our growing population and help us on our way to becoming one of the most liveable regions in Australia.”
“Gippsland needs strategic investment from government so we can not only recover from COVID restrictions, fires, floods and changing industries - but so that we can continue to be strong contributors to the national economy” Cr O’Callaghan explained.
The Gippsland region is one of the fastest growing in the state, with population expected to grow by 26 per cent by 2036.
“We know that people move here for the lifestyle, but they will only choose to stay if they have great career and business opportunities, high levels of digital connectivity, road and rail connections to Melbourne and the opportunity to be innovative,” said Cr O’Callaghan.
Gippsland is both a food bowl and a key resource supplier to Melbourne, with the region expected to supply 24 million tonnes of extractive sand per annum by 2050. Gippsland’s food and fibre industry is expected to grow considerably, to have a gross value of over $23 billion by 2050.
The One Gippsland Pre-budget Submission 2022-23 identifies the investment needed to kick-start the recovery of the region and seize the economic opportunities on its doorstep.
The four priority regional investment areas are:
1. Freight fast-track: network investment, planning and road safety;
2. Tourism recovery: tracks and trails and support for major events;
3. Digital connectivity: mobile and broadband network improvements;
4. Job creation: building the economy and skilling our youth.