OUTGOING City of Greater Bendigo city futures director Stan Liacos has promised to remain committed to building Bendigo in his new role with the state government.
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Mr Liacos has resigned from the council to take up a position as Loddon Mallee regional director at Regional Development Victoria. The position, created in the wake of the Brumby Review of regional economic development, is one of five new regional director roles across the state.
“My role will be to help create and drive new jobs, growth and vibrancy,” Mr Liacos said. “I will do that by being a strong advocate and conduit into the Victorian government at senior levels to provide help, support and outcomes.”
Mr Liacos will oversee a region that takes in 10 local governments as it stretches from Gisborne to Mildura. But Mr Liacos said he would still work “side by side” with council chief executive officer Craig Niemann to deliver outcomes for Bendigo.
“I’ll be able to support Bendigo in the attraction of state and federal support and play a key role in giving a leg-up to private industry to continue to invest in Bendigo and the much wider region,” he said.
His focus would also be on developing other areas.
“It’s incredibly exciting because it’s an extension of what I’ve been doing for 10 years,” he said. “Bendigo is coming off the back of an outstanding 10-15 years. The challenge is to maintain that momentum and, importantly, to help the broader region achieve growth and prosperity.”
Mr Niemann praised Mr Liacos for his 10 years of service to the city.
“Thanks to Stan’s leadership, passion and commitment, brand ‘Bendigo’ is now recognised across Australia and this is delivering real benefits for our community,” he said.
The council spoke of the “renaissance” that had occurred during Mr Liacos’s time.
The Bendigo Art Gallery, it said, was expanded during the director’s time and had come to be recognised as one of the best of its kind in regional Australia.
Mr Liacos also oversaw the delivery of the Edward Street car park development, and the transformation of the Bendigo Gaol into the Ulumbarra Theatre.
Funding had also been secured for the Bendigo Airport expansion, the Greater Bendigo Indoor Aquatic Leisure and Wellbeing Centre and an expansion of the Bendigo Stadium, a council statement said.
