A 60-strong delegation from the SouthWest Victoria Alliance (SWVA) met today (29 May 2024) with senior government and opposition figures to advocate on behalf of the region and launch a refreshed advocacy platform.

You can find the Vision for the SouthWest Victoria Alliance here.

SouthWest Victoria Alliance Chair Cr Ben Blain said:

“I am immensely proud of the job our delegation members performed today in briefing ministers, MPs and the opposition about the SouthWest Victoria region and the needs of our communities.”

“Our representatives were strong advocates for their region, so that ministers and others understood immediately the needs and issues facing communities.

“Ministers and MPs were open to hearing about our region and our priorities. I believe that this is an important step in having our issues addressed by Spring Street.

“We are certain that communities in the SouthWest Victoria region are now better understood in the halls of power than before.

“SWVA has opened an important dialogue with Spring Street that can only bring benefits to the region.

“SWVA has called on government and opposition MPs to consult on issues that impact communities in SouthWest Victoria and we believe that they will do that.

“And not just as a result of the work of this compelling delegation to Parliament today, but from the ongoing relationships SWVA is forming with Ministers, MPs and senior bureaucrats who are aware that the best results come from meaningful consultations with communities and their leaders.”

Among those that SWVA representatives met were:

The Hon. Melissa Horne (Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety)

The Hon. Natalie Hutchins (Minister for Women, Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples)

The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny (Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs)

The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services)

The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio (Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission)

Mr John Pesutto (Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs)

Ms Jacinta Ermacora (MLC Western Victoria, Member, Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee)

Among the regional priorities discussed were:

• Environment
  • Energy transition plan for the region, to understand training needs, future employment opportunities and infrastructure and community needs.
  • Develop the Hydrogen Opportunity via a Clean Energy Training Hub
  • Development of a Sustainable Water Strategy
• Community
  • Childcare – Development of a Centre of Excellence to train more staff and address the workforce shortage.
  • Housing – expansion of key worker housing projects in the region using successful models already implemented
  • Workforce – develop with government strategies to address workforce shortages
• Future Possibility
  • New tourism – explore ways to support emerging tourism sectors like geo thermal
  • High- Value agriculture – enabling infrastructure is needed, roads and other transport infrastructure.