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| Grampians Regional Partnership | |
|---|---|
| Name | Grampians Regional Partnership |
| Type | Regional advisory body |
| Jurisdiction | Grampians Region, Victoria |
| Established | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Ballarat |
| Parent agency | Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria) |
Grampians Regional Partnership The Grampians Regional Partnership is a regional advisory body in Victoria, Australia, advising the Victorian Premier on regional priorities across the Grampians area. The Partnership works with federal and state elected representatives, local government bodies, Indigenous organisations, and community groups to coordinate regional planning and service delivery for communities including Ballarat, Horsham, Ararat, and Stawell. It operates alongside other regional structures such as Regional Development Victoria and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
The Partnership covers municipalities and communities across western Victoria including City of Ballarat, Hindmarsh Shire, Northern Grampians Shire, Pyrenees Shire, West Wimmera Shire, and Ararat Rural City. Its scope intersects with statutory and non-statutory institutions such as Regional Development Victoria, Transport Accident Commission, Country Fire Authority, Parks Victoria, and Gariwerd National Park. The Partnership engages with representatives from Indigenous organisations like the Wotjobaluk and Gunditjmara communities, and liaises with federal electorates represented by members of Parliament of Australia and the Parliament of Victoria.
Formed in 2015 as part of a state-wide initiative by the Victorian Government to establish regional advisory groups, the Partnership followed precedents set by bodies such as the Latrobe Valley Authority and the Regional Growth Fund pilots. Its creation was announced by the Premier of Victoria and coordinated through the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria), with input from local councils including Hepburn Shire Council and Golden Plains Shire Council. Early meetings referenced policy frameworks like the State Budget of Victoria and reviews by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office.
Membership comprises regional leaders appointed by the Premier, including local mayors from councils such as Ballarat City Council and representatives from peak bodies including Victorian Farmers Federation, Committee for Ballarat, and Victorian Trades Hall Council. The governance model mirrors advisory arrangements used by the Regional Partnership Model (Victoria) with terms of reference set by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria). Advisors have included former public servants, members of Aboriginal corporations such as the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and executives from institutions like Federation University Australia.
The Partnership provides strategic advice on infrastructure priorities such as road upgrades on routes like the Western Highway and rail services managed by V/Line. It informs health service planning involving providers like Barwon Health and Ballarat Health Services, and contributes to disaster preparedness alongside agencies such as Emergency Management Victoria and the Country Fire Authority. The Partnership's remit includes advocacy on tourism initiatives tied to destinations like Grampians National Park and events coordinated with organisations such as Tourism Australia and local chambers of commerce.
The Partnership has supported projects including coordinated responses to drought and bushfire recovery involving the National Drought Program frameworks and partnerships with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia). It has advocated for educational and training initiatives tied to TAFE Gippsland and ACFE providers, and infrastructure investments aligning with the Victorian Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and proposals to upgrade regional rail corridors in consultation with Infrastructure Victoria. Local economic development projects referenced small business programs coordinated with Business Victoria and regional tourism campaigns featuring sites such as Halls Gap and cultural programs developed with the Aboriginal Heritage Council (Victoria).
The Partnership conducts community forums, regional town-hall meetings and targeted consultations with stakeholder groups including volunteer organisations like the State Emergency Service and agricultural associations such as the National Farmers' Federation. Engagements have involved universities and research institutes such as La Trobe University and CSIRO to inform evidence-based discussions on issues like rural health workforce shortages and regional digital connectivity supported by initiatives like the National Broadband Network. Consultations have also engaged with arts and cultural organisations including Arts Victoria and the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.
Funding and resourcing for initiatives are coordinated through mechanisms including the Victorian Budget, grants administered by Regional Development Victoria, and Commonwealth programs delivered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (Australia). The Partnership forges partnerships with philanthropic bodies, local industry groups such as the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and training providers like Skillinvest to leverage investment for regional priorities. Collaborative funding models have drawn on federal funding streams such as the Building Better Regions Fund and state programs like the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.
Category:Regional organisations in Victoria (Australia) Category:Public bodies established in 2015