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| Goulburn Regional Partnership | |
|---|---|
| Name | Goulburn Regional Partnership |
| Type | Regional partnership |
| Region | Goulburn |
| Established | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Shepparton |
Goulburn Regional Partnership is one of nine regional forums established to advise the Victoria state administration on regional development and investment priorities, bringing together representatives from local governments, industry bodies, and community organisations to coordinate economic, social, and infrastructure initiatives across the Goulburn Valley. The Partnership engages with stakeholders including municipal councils such as the City of Greater Shepparton, state departments like the Department of Premier and Cabinet, statutory agencies including VicRoads and Central Highlands Water, and community groups such as the Victorian Farmers Federation and Australian Red Cross to inform strategic directions and funding proposals.
The Partnership operates within the framework first announced by the Andrews Ministry and created under policies promoted by ministers including the Premier of Victoria and the Minister for Regional Development (Victoria), with links to programs run by agencies such as Regional Development Australia and the Country Fire Authority. It convenes representatives from municipalities like Mooroopna, Benalla, Shepparton, and Strathbogie Shire alongside sector stakeholders such as the National Farmers' Federation, TAC (Victoria), and industry bodies including Horticulture Innovation Australia to coordinate priorities across health, transport, education, and tourism sectors. The Partnership's advisory role interfaces with funding mechanisms from entities like the Victorian Treasury and federally with departments including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
The establishment of the Partnership followed a statewide regional reform agenda initiated during the second term of the Andrews Ministry and announced in policy papers influenced by reports from bodies such as Infrastructure Australia and Commonwealth Grants Commission. Initial meetings were convened in regional centres including Shepparton and Mansfield with participation from council leaders like those of the City of Greater Shepparton and the Shire of Mitchell, as well as representatives from state agencies including VicHealth and WorkSafe Victoria. Early strategic documents referenced national initiatives such as the National Broadband Network rollout and linked to crisis responses coordinated with emergency services like Victoria Police and the CFA during events including the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season.
The Partnership covers the Goulburn regional footprint encompassing communities in the Goulburn Valley, including urban centres like Shepparton and Echuca, rural townships such as Kyabram, Cobram, Nagambie, and Benalla, and adjoining shires like Moira Shire and Strathbogie Shire. The region overlaps catchments managed by authorities such as the Goulburn–Murray Water and environmental organisations including the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. Transport corridors linking the region include the Hume Highway, the Echuca railway line, and river systems like the Murray River, which connect to interstate hubs such as Albury and Mildura.
Membership comprises appointees from local government areas including the City of Greater Shepparton, Shire of Campaspe, and Benalla Rural City Council, representatives from industry organisations like the Victorian Farmers Federation, education institutions such as La Trobe University and the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, health services like the Goulburn Valley Health network, and federal liaison with agencies such as the Commonwealth Department of Health. The Partnership chair and deputy are selected from among local leaders and community representatives drawn from groups including the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group, and advocacy organisations like Regional Development Australia Northern and Yorke.
Strategic priorities identified by the Partnership have included agricultural value‑chain development involving partners such as Tatura Milk Industries and Campbell Soup, regional health improvements involving Goulburn Valley Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, transport upgrades interfacing with VicRoads and the Victorian Department of Transport, and education and skills initiatives collaborating with La Trobe University and the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE. Programmatic activity has linked to statewide initiatives such as the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (Victoria) and federal programs administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications as well as partnerships with research bodies like the CSIRO and agricultural research institutes including the Australian Wine Research Institute.
Notable projects supported through the Partnership’s advocacy include upgrades to arterial roads with funding from agencies such as VicRoads and projects to expand health infrastructure at facilities operated by Goulburn Valley Health and specialist services coordinated with the Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne). Investment in education and workforce training has seen collaborations with La Trobe University campuses and TAFE institutes, while tourism and cultural projects have engaged institutions like the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and events such as the Shepparton Festival. Outcomes have included targeted funding allocations from the Victorian Budget and joint federal–state grants from programs linked to the Commonwealth Grants Commission and regional development funds.
Critiques from local stakeholders, including advocacy groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and assorted council oppositions like those in parts of the Shire of Moira, have focused on perceived gaps between strategic plans and delivery, debates about priorities in water allocation involving Goulburn–Murray Water and environmental remediation demands voiced by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, and concerns about transparency raised by community organisations including the Shepparton Interfaith Network and local media outlets like the Shepparton News. Responses have included public forums involving representatives from Victorian Trades Hall Council, submissions to the Victorian Parliament committee inquiries, and collaborative revisions of regional priorities with stakeholders such as Victorian Farmers Federation and Regional Development Australia.
Category:Victoria (Australia) regional organisations