GREAT South Coast chairman Matt Makin has welcomed news the state government will fund a growth plan for the region.
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Planning Minister Matthew Guy yesterday announced that $700,000 would be provided to develop plans in seven Victorian regions.
The documents will aim to deliver short-term outcomes while also helping regional councils prepare for population growth and ensure the long-term supply of land.
"This funding represents the next stage in planning for growth in regional Victoria and responds to calls from local government for greater state government support for regional planning," Mr Guy said.
"(It) will enable councils to commence this process to identify key regional environmental, cultural, recreational, economic, tourism and natural resources of value which will be preserved, maintained or developed." Existing strategic work by state agencies and local governments will guide the plans.
The Great South Coast includes the shires of Moyne, Corangamite, Glenelg, Colac Otway and Southern Grampians, along with the City of Warrnambool.
A strategic plan and health and well-being profile have already been produced by member municipalities.
Cr Makin said the state government's $100,000 commitment would help tackle planning inconsistencies across the region.
"We've always known that there's a need to do this work, but the problem has been that there hasn't been the funding available," he said. "This is not going to be simply another plan that sits on the shelf."
The Corangamite Shire mayor expected identifying suitable sites for industrial development would be among the plan's priorities.
The population of regional Victoria has grown by more than 1.2 per cent each year during the past decade, moving from 1.3 million in 2000 to 1.47 million last year.
"Regional growth plans are an exciting opportunity for regional councils and the government to work in partnership to plan for future growth, development and prosperity in regional Victoria," Mr Guy said.
"Growth in the major regional cities and other growth centres needs to be considered in a regional context and this funding provides for this."
Development and implementation of the seven regional growth plans will occur over the next two years.
The Department of Planning and Community Development is to co-ordinate extra planning assistance and council support where required.
