Media Releases

May 22, 2012

Both Houses of State Parliament unanimously honoured the life and times of the late Jock Granter from Heathcote today.
A Member of Parliament for 24 years and a former Minister for Water and Forests and for Police and Emergency Services, Mr Granter died on May 14 and was given a State Funeral at the Heathcote RSL yesterday.
Motions moved simultaneously in the Lower House by Premier Ted Baillieu and in the Upper House by Government Leader David Davis were followed by a minute silence and hour-long adjournments.
During the debates, Mr Granter was widely praised by speakers from all political parties for his open, gentle nature, his passion for his community and his very wide range of community involvements.
Among contributions made in the debate both Houses were:
Premier Ted Baillieu: “He was instrumental in the establishment of the Thomson dam, Melbourne’s principal water storage. All Victorians can be grateful for Jock’s stewardship as Water Minister.”
Government Leader in the Upper House David Davis: “Jock epitomised many of the strengths of this House .. and remains a role model for many Members.”
MP for Northern Victoria Region Donna Petrovich: “His door was always open.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan: The Thomson Dam and Lake Eppalock … “There can be no greater legacy.”
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews: Noted that Mr Granter had selflessly given up a career in banking for a five year commitment to the Australian Army.
Member for Northern Victoria Region Damian Drum: “The words most often used to describe Jock were kind, humble, a gentleman and honesty … his humility has meant he has not been in the limelight as much as a person of his achievements could expect.”
Member for Rodney Paul Weller: Right to the last few days of his life, Jock was pushing for developments in his community. “He was one of the region’s greatest philanthropists … he will be a fine example for generations to come.”
All speakers offered their condolences to Mrs Ena Granter and the family’s wide circle of friends.

More than 150 jobs are expected to be created through the development of two new industrial sites in Carisbrook, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development Damian Drum announced today.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan in Carisbrook, Mr Drum announced $1.53 million Victorian Coalition Government funding would be provided to the Central Goldfields Shire Council as part of the $3.4 million initiative.

“The Carisbrook Renewal Park will promote industrial activity and attract new investment to the region through the expansion of existing businesses and the addition of new businesses and industries,” Mr Drum said.

Mr Drum said the Carisbrook Renewal Park comprised of council-owned land at Tullaroop Road (Site 1) and the Penny and Lang site (Site 2).

“The council proposes developing eight lots at Site 1 and three super-lots at Site 2 and estimates that the Park will retain 15 existing jobs, assist in the creation of 98 new direct jobs and 35 indirect jobs, as well as an additional 18 jobs through the construction phase.”

The Carisbrook Renewal Park project works across the two sites includes:

• site establishment;
• traffic and environmental management;
• road works including intersection, service roads, curb and channeling;
• stormwater drainage and associated works;
• land preparation including sub-grade removal and replacement;
• service trenching and conduits ;
• connection to utilities (water, gas and power) and relocation of existing infrastructure;
• retardation basin for flood mitigation purposes; and
• fencing and landscaping

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan $1.53 million Coalition Government funding for the project would be made to the Central Goldfields Shire Council with the balance provided by the council and sales of the serviced lots.

“The Coalition Government’s is pleased to provide funding through our $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Economic Infrastructure Program, which aims to improve the productive potential of regional Victoria by strengthening regional industries,” Mr Ryan said.

“The fund is about supporting and growing local economies and providing opportunities for regional Victoria through investment in enabling strategic infrastructure.

“Our support for the Carisbrook Renewal Park is a clear example of how the Coalition Government’s strategy of investing in targeted projects that support jobs, growth and development in regional and rural areas can have major flow-on benefits,” Mr Ryan said.

A new five-year strategic plan and website for Loddon Healthy Minds Network has been launched today by Northern MLC Damian Drum.
Speaking at the launch in Bridgewater on behalf of Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge, Mr Drum said the Loddon Healthy Minds Network has played a significant role in promoting good mental health and wellbeing in the Loddon Shire since its establishment in 2007.
“Healthy Minds plays an important role in building awareness about mental health issues and educating consumers, carers and community groups about mental health services available in the Loddon Shire,” Mr Drum said.
“The development of a five-year strategic plan by the Loddon Healthy Minds Network is a significant achievement and will play a crucial role in guiding the direction of the Network over the next five years. It identifies the key goals and priorities to address and improve mental health and wellbeing in the Loddon Shire.”
Mr Drum said goals of the Network include building awareness in the Loddon community about mental health issues and advocating for the best possible outcomes for Loddon residents in relation to mental health.
“The strategic plan outlines the actions to be undertaken by the Network to achieve the goals and priorities by 2016,” Mr Drum said.
“Development of the Loddon Healthy Minds Network website is also a significant achievement.
“The website is an information portal for consumers, carers and community members wanting to access information about mental health issues.
“It contains a comprehensive database of mental health service providers available in the Loddon Shire and provides links to mental health peak bodies such as beyondblue.
“This website is an excellent mental health and wellbeing resource for consumers, carers, community members and service providers in the Loddon Shire.”
Mr Drum said completion of the strategic plan and website builds on other key achievements of the network, which include hosting mental health week activities such as the annual ‘Sunshine Breakfast’ and the development of Healthy Minds Community Forum in 2009.
“The work of the Loddon Healthy Minds Network in the Loddon Shire is especially important after the impact of the 2011 floods in the Shire,” Mr Drum said.
“Promoting good mental health and wellbeing in our flood-affected communities has been essential in improving community spirit and building community resilience in the Shire.”

The 2012 Regional Achievement & Community Awards officially opened for nominations today and the Victorian Coalition Government is calling on individuals and groups to apply.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Mr Drum said the Regional Achievement & Community Awards had eight categories highlighting success in important areas including business, environment, participation, leadership and innovation.

“Since 2002, these awards have become a renowned event on the regional calendar, and last year 300 nominations were received across eight categories,” Mr Drum said.

Mr Drum said Regional Development Victoria would continue its long association with the awards, sponsoring two categories this year.

“Regional Development Victoria has provided $31,000 to sponsor the Regional Business Achievement Award and the Regional Trade and Career Achievement Award,” Mr Drum said.

“The Regional Business Achievement Award acknowledges successful businesses that are making a significant contribution to regional and rural Victoria, while the Regional Trade and Career Achievement Award will promote individuals who are enthusiastically pursuing a trade or career.”

Mr Ryan said the awards recognised the hard work and commitment of people in regional and rural communities and their contribution towards the economic development of the state.

“The Coalition Government is committed to driving development and growth in regional areas and ensuring the regions continue to be a key part of Victoria’s economic success,” Mr Ryan said.

Winners of the 2012 Regional Achievement & Community Awards will be announced at at a gala dinner in Bendigo on 13 October.

Nominations close on Tuesday 17 July. For more information about awards categories and nominations visit: http://www.awardsaustralia.com/RACA_vic.html

May 1, 2012

The Liberal/Nationals State Government has confirmed its rock-solid commitment to Central Victoria in today’s State Budget, Damian Drum said today.

Mr Drum, who is also Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, said the Budget invested more than $30 million in major projects in Bendigo and Castlemaine.

“It is a testament to the Coalition Government’s regional resolve that we have been able to deliver on these vital projects – even though Victoria is facing enormous financial challenges from outside forces,” he said.

“Despite having billions of dollars ripped out of our economy by the Federal Government’s GST changes, the world economic slowdown and the inherited bungling from the previous Labor Government, our local communities are still being backed totally.”

Among the projects in today’s Budget are:

• $10 million to Castlemaine Hospital
• $7 million to Castlemaine Secondary College
• $5 million to redevelop Golden Square Primary School
• $7 million (approx.) to develop a new Multi-Disciplinary Centre in Bendigo to improve care for sexual assault victims and their families.

“I would like to pay tribute today to Steven Oliver, the Nationals candidate for Bendigo West at the last State election. Steven pushed very hard for the Castlemaine Hospital and Secondary College, and the Budget commitments are due – in no small part – to him.

“This is on top of funding commitments from Steven which have already been delivered, such as the 24-hour ambulance service, and the upgrade of the QEO football and netball facilities.”

The Coalition Government remained focussed on delivering on its election promises.

“It must be recognised that today’s announcements come on top of last year’s Budget which:
• delivered on the funding of the $630 million Bendigo Hospital,
• the Bendigo airport redevelopment funding,
• which paved the way to deliver more police to our region,
• and which set up the $1 billion Regional growth Fund,” Mr Drum said.

“That is an outstanding track record of regional support.”

The Castlemaine Hospital funding would allow it to press on with much needed improvements identified in the hospital’s own master plan.

“The hospital serves a catchment area of about 60,000 people, and has been working towards projects such as a second operating theatre, a new hydrotherapy centre, and better access to existing medical units,” Mr Drum said.

Castlemaine Secondary College would use the $7 million to consolidate its junior and secondary campuses at Blakely Road.

“Again, this helps the community achieve its own ambitions. The college plan sets out the plans for consolidation.”

Mr Drum said the Golden Square Primary School had been pushing hard to complete the merger first agreed two by the Laurel Street and Maple Street schools in 2009, but which had remained unfunded by the previous Labor Government.

“I was particularly delighted to see the funding for Bendigo’s Multi-Disciplinary Centre against sexual assault in this year’s State Budget.

“It allows various state agencies and regional organisations to unite to provide a better co-ordinated care for sexual assault victims and their families.

“Bendigo shares in a broad push by the Liberal/Nationals Government to come up with better approaches to deal with the deep-seated problems of sexual assault,” he said.

Other Budget items which would be of enormous importance to our region included a major new investment in V/Line carriages for regional Victoria.

April 30, 2012

Central Victoria could expect a flood of inquiries from potential new residents and businesses following the outstanding success of the Regional Living Expo in Melbourne this weekend, according to Damian Drum MP.

Mr Drum, who is also Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, said organisers were overjoyed at the number of people who visited the Expo in Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Expo was promised by the Liberal/Nationals Coalition in the lead up to the last state election. “We said we’d hold it, and we did, and it was fantastic,” Mr Drum said.

“It was designed to be the showcase for regional Victoria, helping people who were considering a move to the regions.

“The level of inquiry was huge.”

Just days before the Expo, a survey by ShopScience, commissioned by Regional Development Victoria, showed 11 per cent of Melburnians planned to move to regional Victoria while 39 per cent said they liked the idea of moving “one day”.

“The crowd reactions at the Expo certainly supported that survey,” Mr Drum said.

He said while the regions generally put on a very attractive face at the weekend, Central victoria was a particular star, with strong showing from local government, education and key industries and businesses.

“I would be very surprised if places such as Bendigo and Castlemaine don’t have record levels of inquiries about moving to the region over the next few months.

“This can only be a great outcome for all involved: for regional businesses, councils, retailers, schools and colleges … as well as for Melbourne which is already bursting at the seams,” Mr Drum said.

“I want to congratulate everyone involved in the Expo. They all made us proud.”

Bendigo will host one of a series of forums next month to help shape the future of recreational fishing.

The Department of Primary Industries has partnered with the VRFish organisation to stage the recreational fisheries forums around the state.

One will be held at the meeting place of the Bendigo Legion Angling Club, Getaway Rotary Park in Kangaroo Flat at 7pm on Wednesday, May 9.

MP for Northern Victoria Region, Damian Drum, said it was a great opportunity for people to have a say about recreational fisheries, network with DPI and VRFish and learn how the Coalition State Government was working hard to improve recreational fishing.

“The Government has expressed a strong commitment to broadening engagement with recreational fishers and to provide improved opportunities for recreational fishing.

“I encourage as many as possible to attend the forum, especially people from multicultural communities.”

Central and Northern Victoria will be “front and centre” in more ways than just geographically at this weekend’s Regional Victorian Living Expo in Melbourne’s Exhibition Centre.

The Expo will showcase all that is great about living in regional Victoria, and will give people a taste of the benefits of relocating their families, and businesses to the regions.

Among the 130 exhibitors will be a broad range of central and northern Victorian organisations, including the City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, Bendigo TAFE, LaTrobe University, the Bendigo Students Association, Hazeldenes, Grill’d, and the Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre.

MP for Northern Victoria Region, and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Damian Drum , said the Expo was a unique opportunity for Regional Victoria to show city people a slice of life outside metropolitan Melbourne.

“This is the first ever Regional Living Expo. Deputy Premier and Regional Development Minister Peter Ryan promised it would happen and we are delivering on that promise.

“I believe it will be very popular.”

Mr Drum said the Expo not only showed people what lifestyle, business and education opportunities existed in the regions.

“It celebrates the achievements of regionally based people, such as Bendigo’s own Margot Spalding, co-founder and owner of the nationally famous Jimmy Possum furniture company.

“The Jimmy Possum company will be a presenter at the Expo.

“As an Expo ambassador, Margot is an outstanding example of the drive and enthusiasm so often found in regional communities.

“Margot and other Expo ambassadors such as Athol Guy, Cameron Ling, Billy Brownless and Rick and Todd Kelly draw a lot of their inspiration from their regional communities.

“They then inspire the rest of us, and now they’re inspiring Melbourne folk,” Mr Drum said.

He urged regional people to visit the Expo as well, if only to reminded of how good it feels to go home.

Mr Drum said he was very happy that the broader region had embraced the Expo concept so enthusiastically and he congratulated everyone involved in the massive undertaking.
The Expo is at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon St, Southbank
It will be open: Friday 27 April, 12pm - 5pm, Saturday 28 April 10am - 5pm, Sunday 29 April, 10am - 4pm. Entry is free.

Northern Victoria Region MP Damian Drum today announced that $230,000 of road rehabilitation works had started on a weather-affected section of the Wimmera Highway.

 

“These works involve repairing storm damaged sections on a stretch of the Wimmera Highway, approximately 10km east of Newbridge near Woodstock on Loddon,” Mr Drum said.

 

“The Wimmera Highway was one of many arterial roads affected by storm and flood events in 2011.

 

“The rehabilitation works will involve strengthening and stabilising the road pavement and applying new line-marking.

 

“The works are being undertaken as part of a package of road upgrades to flood impacted roads within the Loddon Shire, which also includes the Loddon Valley Highway and sections of the Boort-Pyramid Road,” he said.

 

The works are expected to take about two weeks to complete.

 

Motorists are asked to observe changed traffic conditions as the highway will be under speed restrictions.

 

Mr Drum thanked the community for their patience while the works are carried out.

The City of Greater Bendigo in association with the Diocese of Sandhurst will explore the feasibility of a Faith of the Goldfields Interpretive Centre in central Bendigo with the help of $16,500 in Victorian Government funding, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development Damian Drum said today.

Mr Drum, who is MP for Northern Victoria Region, said the potential centre was part of a much larger multi-million dollar redevelopment plan for the area around the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

He made the announcement today on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, Peter Ryan. The funding will be matched by the City of Greater Bendigo.

The Interpretive Centre will present the cultural heritage of the Goldfields region from the 1850s gold rush

“The feasibility study will examine how the proposed Centre could potentially function as part of, and engage with, a larger redevelopment of the entire Cathedral precinct,” Mr Drum said.

“The feasibility study findings will form the basis of a business case for philanthropic and government funding for the realisation of the Interpretive Centre and potentially leverage private investment in the much larger precinct redevelopment.”

Mr Ryan said developing the Interpretive Centre would help the City of Greater Bendigo and the Sandhurst Diocese take advantage and benefit from the growing market for heritage or ancestral-based tourism.

“Access to historical records and genealogical research has been a major driver for this growth, encouraged by the plethora of television programs and internet resources devoted to this interest,” Mr Ryan said.

“Providing an opportunity for engagement beyond walking through the Cathedral building - through tours; interpretive exhibitions and access to research collections will enhance the existing tourism experience.”

Mr Ryan said the Faith of the Goldfields Interpretive Centre Feasibility Study project would help inform planning capability for new tourism and community infrastructure and provide information to attract, inform and direct commercial investment in the precinct. Funding was coming from the Planning for Tomorrow fund.

“The project will also deliver better economic development outcomes by capitalising on the strength of genealogical tourism and adding to Bendigo's reputation and positioning as a destination for cultural heritage tourism,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Drum said Victorian Government funding for the Faith of the Goldfields Interpretive Centre Feasibility Study project would be provided to the City of Greater Bendigo working in association with the Diocese of Sandhurst.

The study is expected to be completed by June.