The Andrews Labor Government will use a series of roundtables hosted by the state’s Regional Partnerships to help understand the local impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and pave the way for recovery.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today announced the virtual Regional Roundtables to help the Government identify the unique challenges and opportunities local communities face in driving social and economic recovery.

The announcement coincides with the appointment of more than 40 Regional Development Australia (RDA) members across five committees in regional Victoria, which will work in tandem with Regional Partnerships to help determine specific solutions to local challenges.

The RDA committees will participate in the Regional Roundtables alongside Regional Partnerships members, working together to align Victorian and national efforts across all three tiers of government.

RDA Committees play an important role in making our regions even better places to live and work and have supported Regional Partnerships to champion recent Victorian and Australian government initiatives.

Victoria’s nine Regional Partnerships were established by the Labor Government in 2016, recognising that local communities are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by their region.

Local outcomes championed by Regional Partnerships include the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership’s BY FIVE initiative which aims to improve health and education outcomes for children by the time they reach the age of five.

The Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership’s KIT Van initiative is promoting a health message, with support from DHHS, and works in conjunction with other local service providers and a youth crew.

The roundtables will be hosted by each Regional Partnership, with representation from RDA committees, local government, industry and other community leaders who will provide vital insights to their community’s needs.

The Regional Rountables kicked off in Gippsland on Friday via Zoom and will continue over the next month. To find out more information, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/regional-partnerships.