The final of ten workshops in the VECCI Regional Business Convention 2010 (VRBC2010) consultation series has been held, and now all roads lead to the main event in Ballarat, held in October.

At each of the 10 workshops, participants have provided valuable insights into the capacity of their region to contribute to Victorian economic growth and how Governments, in partnership with local business and VECCI, can assist in making this growth sustainable and far reaching.

Participants have provided localised and state-wide examples of the diversity and quality of products, services and investment in their respective regions that will play an increasingly important role in helping Melbourne overcome its many growth challenges.

Despite the diversity of issues faced across the regions, and the different contribution each region makes to the Victorian economy, there are many common areas of focus for future planning and policy development.

They include:

• As Melbourne grows, every region outlined its potential to absorb a greater proportion of the state-wide population, identifying liveability and available jobs as key reasons.
• The regions possess a strong natural asset base. This augurs well for key industries, like tourism, and will assist new competitive advantages in low-carbon energy generation and agribusiness.
• Planning and land use issues are intensifying and will need to be addressed as competing land use demands become apparent (agriculture, tourism, commercial, residential, recreational).

The VRBC2010 process is now acknowledged and accepted by business, parliamentarians and government officials as VECCI’s major regional event in regional consultation. Many of the key findings and recommendations from the VRBC2008 held in Bendigo have found their way into current Government policy documents and strategies.   

For further information on the VRBC2010 process and the workshop outcomes, please contact Matthew Gould, VECCI Regional Business Development Manager, by calling 03 8662 5374, mobile 0407 530 168 or emailing mgould@vecci.org.au.