This new national body is about making sure the voice of Australia’s regions is heard, with the potential to deliver real benefits to Bendigo and surrounding communities.

Attending will be the chairwoman of the Loddon Mallee RDA, Jenny Dawson, who is also a non-executive director of the Bendigo Bank and a local with a long history of community involvement.

RDA committees are all about giving local communities the support and organisation necessary to find the solutions that best suit their needs.

For its part, the Rudd Labor Government is making a record investment in the nation’s infrastructure.

In the case of Bendigo, our economic stimulus plan alone is investing some $111 million in local road, housing, education and community infrastructure projects.

This includes money to install boom gates at five level crossings in Bendigo, Marong and Myers Flat, as well as upgrade the local public pools, playgrounds and sports facilities.

As we emerge from the largest economic downturn in more than 75 years, these projects are putting Australians to work building facilities that will make our communities even better places to live and work.

ANTHONY ALBANESE,

Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development