LOCAL mayors have thrown their support behind the Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan.
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City of Ballarat mayor Joshua Morris said he was hopeful the plan would help to influence state and federal governments to provide funding to help with region’s expected growth.
“We are very happy with today. Obviously it is a significant plan that has been announced today.
“We know that we are going to grow as a city and as a region, so it is important we have a plan in place to know how we are going to grow into the future,” he said.
“We certainly lobby state and federal government on a regular basis in saying these are things we know our community has, whether they be in terms of rail, infrastructure, roads, health or education.”
Ararat Rural City mayor Paul Hooper, who was also at the unveiling, said the plan was vital to the long-term future of the region.
“I really see it is as a whole rather than single pieces. None of this stuff is revolutionary. A lot of it will happen over a long period of time,” he said.
“Ballarat is our hub. We recognise that it is critical for our education, our health, our trade and our youth.
“It will be our hub and we know the growth it is going to have.
“We have got to learn to live with that and to enhance the connectivity and the support between ourselves and Ballarat.”