Committee for Ballarat is hosting a bi-annual Committees for Cities conference this week, providing an opportunity to showcase the city and collaborate on a plan for advocacy leading up to the federal election.
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Twelve committees for cities and regions from around Australia and one from New Zealand will participate in the conference in Ballarat from Wednesday until Friday.
Committee for Ballarat chairperson Nick Beale said the committee was proud to host the conference and showcase the city to leaders who may not have visited before.
"Of course having Bob Geldof here when the conference is here is a real coup for us. It shows Committee for Ballarat is doing some amazing things for the region," he said.
Representatives from committees for Gippsland, Geelong, Adelaide, Melbourne, Cairns, Canterbury in New Zealand, Brisbane, Greater Shepparton, Wagga, Wyndham, Echuca Moama, and Portland will attend an opening dinner on Wednesday night.
The program for Thursday details a visit to Waubra Wind Farm and a session with guest speakers including Minister for Roads Jaala Pulford, Brian McCain from McCains speaking on how international businesses can work with regional areas, and former Federation University arts director Bryce Ives who will speak about creativity and culture for cities.
Members will also visit Sovereign Hill on Thursday afternoon before a formal network meeting on Friday morning to discuss common issues and a strategy to approach government and opposition in the lead up to the federal election.
Around the country there are issues around jobs, skills shortages and training.
- Nick Beale, Committee for Ballarat chair
Mr Beale said he expects jobs and skills shortages, renewable energy and fast regional rail to be discussed at Friday's formal meeting.
"Around the country there are issues around jobs, skills shortages and training," he said.
"I am sure we will be discussing renewable energy - the visit to Waubra Wind Farm will raise that.
"I know that amongst the Victorian delegates particularly we will be discussing the issue of regional rail and how we can work together in a public private partnership."
Representatives from up to six committees will attend Committee for Ballarat's round table dinner with guest speaker Bob Geldof on Friday night.
When asked why the committee had decided to bring Geldof to Ballarat, chief executive Melanie Robertson said ‘why not?’
"It is about trying to lift our vision as to what Ballarat can be,” she said.
“We must learn to challenge ourselves, be willing to fight for a cause and to align for the purpose of getting things done.”