NEWLY-appointed committee members for Regional Development Australia Loddon Mallee will look at the best ways to help regions recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Headed by Bendigo's Linda Beilharz, the committee is made up of regional business and community leaders.
Ms Beilharz said the committee has a key role in looking at the economical development in the regions.
"Our local representatives have knowledge of the region but each person is also expert in a respective field," she said. "With the wisdom, knowledge and contacts we have, we can look at what works region.
"We work closely with local and state governments and other bodies in the region. We also have a chance to advocate for policy and projects (in need) of funding from the federal government."
Ms Beilharz said there were a number of key sectors that needed help to recover from the coronavirus pandemic but that the digital connection of rural areas was the most prominent.
"Digital connectivity is a big one for our region," she said. "Some parts of our region have no access to (reliable) internet or phone.
"As we found out with COVID-19, not all families and children have access to the internet, so schooling from home is a challenge.
"There's also been a great pivot on people working from home and using internet and expanding business. That offers great hope for us (that) something that might normally be done in Melbourne or Sydney can be done in our region. Opportunities are coming from that as well."
The tourism and agricultural sectors were also highlighted as in need of recovery.
"We know tourism has dropped down, so there is an effort to promote and make more ready tourism opportunities," she said.
"Agriculture has had an interesting experience through (the pandemic) people had to change their markets and who they are selling to and are looking at potential new challenges."
Federal assistant minister for regional development and territories Nola Marino said RDA Loddon Mallee had done outstanding work in supporting the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Since late March I have been holding regular teleconferences with RDA representatives three times a week," she said. "I want to thank the RDA Loddon Mallee committee ...for their work in driving positive change."