Minister for Rural and Regional Development Jacinta Allan was yesterday given the regional strategic plan from councils in the southern region, which include the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and the Loddon shires.

The plan has identified the region is expected to maintain strong sustained population growth.

Chairman of the Loddon Mallee Southern Project Control Group Craig Niemann said the plan had been endorsed by all participating councils.

“By developing this plan we now have a mechanism to influence change in the broader region and ensure that the priorities and aspirations of all the communities in the Loddon Mallee region are represented,” he said.

The plan has 13 priority actions which include:

Improve the liveability of small towns and their ability to manage change by investing in community planning, community leadership models, transport connections and government service delivery.

Ms Allan said the plan put the region and its people in the driver’s seat to build a more prosperous future.

“The plan anticipates the region will grow by 60,000 people by 2026 at an annual growth rate of 1.7 per cent,” she said.

“Much of this growth is expected to be in towns in Greater Bendigo, the Macedon Ranges and in the Mount Alexander Shire.

The Loddon Mallee region is made up of two sub regions – north and south – with both forming part of the state government’s regional strategic planning initiative.