The coordinator of the Central Highlands Regional Partnership has expressed confidence the group is heading in the ‘right direction’, after community consultation last week.
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The partnership’s five key priorities – digital connectivity, agriculture, energy, homelessness and health – were discussed at the 2018 Central Highlands Regional Assembly on June 14 in Ballarat by more than 250 people.
Central Highlands Regional Partnership coordinator Andrew Burgess said the assembly was an opportunity for the community to speak directly to the government about what matters most.
It is important we are hearing that local voice, getting feedback and delivering it direct to the premier of Victoria.
- Andrew Burgess, partnership coordinator
Premier Daniel Andrews attended the assembly.
Members of the Central Highlands Regional Partnership reported to ministers and the community on progress to take action on five key priority areas.
The partnership is undertaking research on homelessness in the region and will pilot a ‘housing first’ approach.
It will build a ‘prevention lab’ to address the health priority, driven by a target of a five per cent increase in the number of people meeting healthy eating and physical activity guidelines in the Central Highlands.
Work is also underway to create a roadmap to achieve a zero emission target for the Central Highlands region. The Grampians New Energy Taskforce has been established to advocate for funding and an additional transmission line.
A business case will be established to implement a a hub for premium produce in the region to support primary producers.
Actions to address the priority issue of digital connectivity include the development of a digital plan and a business case for small, co-working centres and communications hubs in six local government pilot locations.
Each action is expected to be completed in the 2018/19 financial year.
The Central Highlands Regional Partnership was established in 2016. It is one of nine regional partnerships statewide.