The conference, to be held in Bendigo, will involve mayors from the state's 48 regional councils and will help shape the State Government's Provincial Statement, due for release later this year.

The statement outlines a blueprint for the regions, detailing plans to continue the growth in jobs, population and investment.

Cr Vendy welcomed the summit, saying it was important to convey regional issues to the government, particularly in the lead-up to next year's state election.

"I think it's good. It shows that the government are looking at regional Victoria and that's got to be good for us," he said.

"I think this government always gives credence to the importance of regional Victoria."

Issues to be raised by the City of Ballarat include the importance of population growth and multicultural diversity and the need for greater government grants to fund ageing infrastructure.

"Everyone's the same in Victoria - they all believe the infrastructure gap's getting bigger and bigger and that's going to become a big concern for state and federal governments and it's a concern for us," Cr Vendy said.

Premier Steve Bracks announced the summit this week and said it would be an opportunity for the government to discuss the latest issues affecting the 1.3 million people who live outside metropolitan Melbourne.

"This summit will be a key part of the consultation process for the next stage of the government's Regional Development Strategy," he said.

"We are on track to launch a major policy statement on provincial Victoria later this year."

Mr Bracks said the government had facilitated more than $4.8thbillion in new investment in regional Victoria over the past six years, with the number of jobs increasing by 88,000 since 1999.

"The continuing prosperity of Victoria's regions relies upon building strong industries, tackling skills shortages and developing local strengths, and that is why we will be consulting widely to discuss the latest trends and ideas," he

said.