RDA Gippsland Projects

RDA Gippsland works with industry, economic groups and all levels of government to set priorities for the Gippsland region - ensuring funding and resources are allocated to projects that align with regional priorities.

Below are some of the committee's current and previous projects.

Gippsland Regional Plan 2020 – 2025

The Gippsland Regional Plan is our long-term strategic plan for improving the economic, social, cultural, and environmental outcomes for our Gippsland region and our community.

It will guide us as we strive to reach our full potential and ensure that Gippsland is recognised as the place to live, work, invest and play.

Downloads

Gippsland Regional Plan, 2020-2025 - Brochure (PDF 992.42 KB)

Gippsland Regional Plan 2020-2025 (PDF 1981.74 KB)
Gippsland Regional Plan 2020-2025 (DOCX 7253.42 KB)

Gippsland Freight Infrastructure Master Plan

The Gippsland Freight Infrastructure Master Plan lays out the infrastructure priorities for the effective movement of freight across the region over the next five years. It identifies opportunities to strengthen infrastructure of the region’s roads, rail, air and seaports, which in turn will bolster the future of Gippsland’s economy.

With industry consultation, 30 infrastructure projects were developed and are identified in the plan along with the four supporting initiatives of developing the freight industry and workforce, improved partnerships between the freight industry and government, local road funding and investment including the First and Last Mile.

The 2023 Master Plan is a refresh of the 2013 edition which was born out of a partnership between RDA Gippsland and the Committee for Gippsland.

Download the plan

Gippsland Freight Infrastructure Master Plan (PDF 7452.73 KB)

Building Better Regions Fund: Round One and Two

The $641.6 million Building Better Regions Fund is a Australian Government program that aims to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities.

RDA Gippsland is the lead agency responsible for encouraging local organisations, councils and community groups across Gippsland to submit applications for the two streams of funding:

• Community Investments stream (grants from $5,000 to $10 million) funds community activities, new local events and regional strategic plans
• Infrastructure Projects stream (grants from $20,000 to $10 million) supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure, that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

In addition to promoting the Fund, RDA Gippsland also reviews and assesses applications and provides letters of support to projects and initiatives that align with the strategic priorities of the region.

The following Gippsland projects have received funding through Round One and Two of the Building Better Regions Fund:

• $1,500,000 towards a mountain bike trail project in Omeo
• $1,100,000 towards a new early learning centre co-located at Warragul Primary School
• $1,000,000 towards a surf lifesaver club-house rebuild in Cape Paterson
• $900,000 towards a new community multipurpose sports pavilion in Bunyip
• $725,590 towards a multi-function, centrally located, accessible community facility in Mallacoota
• $500,000 towards the reconfiguration of a building recently purchased by Gippsland Lakes Community Health build better community support facilities for Gippsland
• $99,721 towards community forums and events to tackle family violence in East Gippsland
• $97,500 towards a youth-focused entrepreneurship and capability development project in East Gippsland
• $85,000 towards a capacity and leadership development project for local producers in East Gippsland
• $75,000 towards a strategic plan to address social and economic issues affecting three rural and remote areas, creating an individual blueprint for each
• $19,975 towards a study to extract value from Gippsland’s waste and surplus vegetables
• $12,250 towards a field day event designed to draw attention to invasive species and threats posed to the agricultural sector.

Building Better Regions Fund: Round Three

The $641.6 million Building Better Regions Fund is a Australian Government program that aims to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities.

RDA Gippsland is the lead agency responsible for encouraging local organisations, councils and community groups across Gippsland to submit applications for the two streams of funding:

• Community Investments stream (grants from $5,000 to $10 million) funds community activities, new local events and regional strategic plans
• Infrastructure Projects stream (grants from $20,000 to $10 million) supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

In addition to promoting the Fund, RDA Gippsland also reviews and assesses applications and provides letters of support to projects and initiatives that align with the strategic priorities of the region.

The following Gippsland projects have received funding through Round Three of the Building Better Regions Fund:

• $2,700,000 towards the Leongatha Business Precinct (Bair Street) Redevelopment Project
• $2,320,000 towards the Mirridong's Sustainable Supported Living for Disability Participants in Yarram
• $859,850 towards the Hope Restart Centre Infrastructure Installations in Lucknow
• $750,000 towards Jemmys Point Lookout Connecting Tourists with Destination and Nature in Lakes Entrance
• $120,000 towards the construction of a replica 1800s Holden Retail Outlet and Community Hub at the Trafalgar Holden Museum
• $100,000 towards the Morwell International Rose Garden Festival
• $42,500 towards the Wonthaggi Pony Club Canteen & Clubroom Facilities Upgrade Project
• $42,500 towards the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Precinct: Building the Binh Ba Room in Newhaven
• $30,000 towards the Latrobe Women in Business 'Leading the Way' in Leadership 2019 from Traralgon
• $25,000 towards strategies to promote Indigenous art and jobs in the Latrobe Valley in Morwell
• $20,000 towards upgrading emergency search and rescue equipment facility in San Remo.

Regional Employment Trials Program

Gippsland is one of 10 regions across Australia which has been chosen to participate in the Australian Government’s new Regional Employment Trials Program.

RDA Gippsland will play a key role in encouraging organisations to apply, identifying employment projects and assessing applications to ensure they align with the local needs of Gippsland.

To ensure a strong connection with employment programs, all projects will also need to partner with at least one eligible employment services provider located within that region.

Examples of projects that could be funded include:

• Using mature aged residents and local business leaders in a mentoring program
• Preparing job seekers for up-coming infrastructure projects
• Work experience projects that provide local employment opportunities.

RDA Gippsland and Gippsland’s Employment Facilitator, Luke Arber, are available to provide guidance and advice to local stakeholders wishing to apply for funding through the program to address local employment challenges.

If you would like to know more, email RDA Gippsland.

Response to 'Victoria’s Future State: Why Decentralisation Should be our Priority' Report

A report developed by former Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, and former Victorian Deputy Premier, Pat McNamara titled, Victoria’s Future State: Why Decentralisation Should be our Priority discusses the four policy pillars of a future population decentralisation agenda for Victoria.

RDA Gippsland believe the Balance Victoria report, released in August 2018, under-represents the Gippsland region when exploring regional opportunities around decentralisation.

The committee has developed a response to advocate for and promote Gippsland, specifically the Latrobe Valley, as a significant destination for decentralisation planning.

In collaboration with SED Advisory, the response will inform RDA Gippsland’s future work on decentralisation and provide a foundation for advocating to State Government on behalf of Gippsland.

Read the RDA Gippsland response (PDF 4.1 MB)

If you would like to know more, email RDA Gippsland.

Invest Gippsland Website

RDA Gippsland has provided $60,000 to redevelop the Invest Gippsland website to promote the regions strengths and opportunities.

The new website will act as a central hub for investors, local businesses, prospective residents and international government offices to learn more about the Gippsland region, it’s major industries, economic outputs, liveability and tourist destinations.

As the lead in the project management, RDA Gippsland will work in collaboration with Invest Gippsland, Bass Coast Shire, Baw Baw Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Latrobe City, South Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire and the Regional Partnerships Food and Fibre Reference Group.

Gippsland Clean Energy Vision and Prospectus

Gippsland’s Clean Energy Future: Through Investment and Growth highlights the many strengths of our region and identifies the opportunities for investment in energy projects to achieve net zero emissions. Gippsland is positioned to take a leading role in the clean energy transition for Victoria and, indeed, the whole country. We have unparalleled natural resources, a solid base of infrastructure and network connections, a skilled workforce, and a strong tradition as the backbone of Victoria’s electricity grid. RDA Gippsland partnered with the Committee for Gippsland to deliver this prospectus, informed by engagement with local business, industry and community.

Download 

Gippsland Clean Energy Vision and Prospectus (PDF 17170.52 KB)