Small-scale and craft producers across Victoria are now better equipped to grow their businesses and spread local produce more widely, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Hand to Ground farm in the Macedon Ranges to announce that the Labor Government is backing almost 250 food, drink and produce companies from around the state as part of the first round of the Artisanal Sector Program.
Run by Alex and Emily Sims, Hand to Ground produces sustainable poultry, eggs, raw honey and handmade soaps on 30 acres of pasture. A grant of $5000 from the Labor Government will allow the family to engage a consultant for branding, marketing and the design of a new egg carton, website and social media – so they can increase sales and spread their unique produce more widely.
Across Victoria, almost 250 small-scale and craft food and drink businesses have received grants to support them to grow by purchasing new equipment or infrastructure, completing training in specialist food and agricultural techniques or hiring consultancy services to build their marketing and business capability.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 provided $2 million to support small and micro businesses from around the state increase production and promote their local produce more widely.
Victoria is renowned for its high-quality premium produce, and the Labor Government is proud to support the agricultural businesses that not only feed and clothe Victorians, but create jobs, attract tourism and make regional communities vibrant.
The Labor Government is now extending the Artisanal Sector Program with an additional $10 million, as well as opening the grants to craft brewers and distillers.
The expansion of the program is part of a goal to keep Victoria as the nation’s number one food producer, support local economies, create local jobs and reach $20 billion in food and fibre exports by 2030.
The program has received a huge response and large number of applications in its first round, highlighting the important role of local produce, and the diversity of the sector across Victoria.
For more information please visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/artisanag
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
“We’re proud to back producers right across the state to improve their agricultural techniques and business skills, so they can increase their production and share their produce more widely.”
“Victoria has a rich and diverse agricultural sector, and we’re supporting our producers to improve market opportunities and build agri-tourism across the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“It’s so exciting to support family-run producers like Hand to Ground – so they can spread their sustainable and delicious produce further, and promote Macedon as a premier Victorian food destination.”
Small-scale and craft producers across Victoria are now better equipped to grow their businesses and spread local produce more widely, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Hand to Ground farm in the Macedon Ranges to announce that the Labor Government is backing almost 250 food, drink and produce companies from around the state as part of the first round of the Artisanal Sector Program.
Run by Alex and Emily Sims, Hand to Ground produces sustainable poultry, eggs, raw honey and handmade soaps on 30 acres of pasture. A grant of $5000 from the Labor Government will allow the family to engage a consultant for branding, marketing and the design of a new egg carton, website and social media – so they can increase sales and spread their unique produce more widely.
Across Victoria, almost 250 small-scale and craft food and drink businesses have received grants to support them to grow by purchasing new equipment or infrastructure, completing training in specialist food and agricultural techniques or hiring consultancy services to build their marketing and business capability.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 provided $2 million to support small and micro businesses from around the state increase production and promote their local produce more widely.
Victoria is renowned for its high-quality premium produce, and the Labor Government is proud to support the agricultural businesses that not only feed and clothe Victorians, but create jobs, attract tourism and make regional communities vibrant.
The Labor Government is now extending the Artisanal Sector Program with an additional $10 million, as well as opening the grants to craft brewers and distillers.
The expansion of the program is part of a goal to keep Victoria as the nation’s number one food producer, support local economies, create local jobs and reach $20 billion in food and fibre exports by 2030.
The program has received a huge response and large number of applications in its first round, highlighting the important role of local produce, and the diversity of the sector across Victoria.
For more information please visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/artisanag
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
“We’re proud to back producers right across the state to improve their agricultural techniques and business skills, so they can increase their production and share their produce more widely.”
“Victoria has a rich and diverse agricultural sector, and we’re supporting our producers to improve market opportunities and build agri-tourism across the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“It’s so exciting to support family-run producers like Hand to Ground – so they can spread their sustainable and delicious produce further, and promote Macedon as a premier Victorian food destination.”
The Andrews Labor Government is promoting health and wellbeing, as well as attracting more people to regional Victoria, through the creation of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Romsey to see Stage One of the park’s development, and to look at the plans that will be supported by $200,000 from the Labor Government’s Pick My Project initiative and Labor’s election commitment to complete this next stage.
Once completed, the park will include picnic areas, a large playscape, a performance space, an ephemeral billabong and therapeutic space, which will enhance visitors’ physical and mental wellbeing.
For the past nine years, community members have been working hard to develop the former primary school grounds into something that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors to the Macedon Ranges region.
The park - which is free to visit - is an inclusive space for all ages and abilities, to encourage children to get active and engage with nature.
With links to the Five Mile Creek precinct, historic Romsey buildings, the Romsey Lancefield Walking Trail and the Romsey Recreation Reserve, the park will help provide another space for both local families and visitors to enjoy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“As a mother of young children I love the Romsey Ecotherapy Park - it provides an incredible play area for all ages and is all accessible – meaning there are no barriers to accessing a beautiful spot here in the Macedon Ranges.”
“Only an hour from Melbourne, the Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the perfect place to bring the whole family for a day trip or a weekend away.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“For nine years local community members have reimagined an old primary school into an incredible park– it is through their determination and passion that all Victorians will have this special place to connect to the outdoors and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.”
The Andrews Labor Government is promoting health and wellbeing, as well as attracting more people to regional Victoria, through the creation of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Romsey to see Stage One of the park’s development, and to look at the plans that will be supported by $200,000 from the Labor Government’s Pick My Project initiative and Labor’s election commitment to complete this next stage.
Once completed, the park will include picnic areas, a large playscape, a performance space, an ephemeral billabong and therapeutic space, which will enhance visitors’ physical and mental wellbeing.
For the past nine years, community members have been working hard to develop the former primary school grounds into something that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors to the Macedon Ranges region.
The park - which is free to visit - is an inclusive space for all ages and abilities, to encourage children to get active and engage with nature.
With links to the Five Mile Creek precinct, historic Romsey buildings, the Romsey Lancefield Walking Trail and the Romsey Recreation Reserve, the park will help provide another space for both local families and visitors to enjoy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“As a mother of young children I love the Romsey Ecotherapy Park - it provides an incredible play area for all ages and is all accessible – meaning there are no barriers to accessing a beautiful spot here in the Macedon Ranges.”
“Only an hour from Melbourne, the Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the perfect place to bring the whole family for a day trip or a weekend away.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“For nine years local community members have reimagined an old primary school into an incredible park– it is through their determination and passion that all Victorians will have this special place to connect to the outdoors and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.”
Woodend Community Centre, in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, is now well placed for a major redevelopment thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Woodend to announce a $50,000 Labor Government grant from the Stronger Regional Communities Plan, to develop a business case and master plan, in consultation with the community for a redevelopment of the precinct.
The current community centre and its surroundings are dated and need significant maintenance, no longer meeting the community’s needs.
Users of the centre, traditional owners, the wider community and visitors to the centre will be consulted about what is needed for the future, and how the centre can be transformed into a modern multi-purpose facility that meets the needs of the area’s growing population and rising tourist numbers.
The project will explore the costs and benefits of a redevelopment, and will review previous concepts to determine what is feasible and how to best meet the needs of the community.
The Stronger Regional Communities Plan is a state-wide program that supports rural and regional towns to invest in community-led initiatives that create economic growth, encouraging families and young people to live and work across regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes:
“There’s plenty of local support for a new Woodend community precinct, and the Labor Government is proud to be supporting a business case and masterplan that will capture the community’s needs now and into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
“The Woodend Community Precinct hosts so many important local services and events - but neither the facility nor its surrounds is meeting the needs of the community in its current form. I welcome this important first step towards a new and exciting future for this precinct and the Woodend community.”
“This important project has been led by the community, who are passionate about the history and future of this town. I encourage community members to have their say on this exciting project.”
Woodend Community Centre, in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, is now well placed for a major redevelopment thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Woodend to announce a $50,000 Labor Government grant from the Stronger Regional Communities Plan, to develop a business case and master plan, in consultation with the community for a redevelopment of the precinct.
The current community centre and its surroundings are dated and need significant maintenance, no longer meeting the community’s needs.
Users of the centre, traditional owners, the wider community and visitors to the centre will be consulted about what is needed for the future, and how the centre can be transformed into a modern multi-purpose facility that meets the needs of the area’s growing population and rising tourist numbers.
The project will explore the costs and benefits of a redevelopment, and will review previous concepts to determine what is feasible and how to best meet the needs of the community.
The Stronger Regional Communities Plan is a state-wide program that supports rural and regional towns to invest in community-led initiatives that create economic growth, encouraging families and young people to live and work across regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes:
“There’s plenty of local support for a new Woodend community precinct, and the Labor Government is proud to be supporting a business case and masterplan that will capture the community’s needs now and into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
“The Woodend Community Precinct hosts so many important local services and events - but neither the facility nor its surrounds is meeting the needs of the community in its current form. I welcome this important first step towards a new and exciting future for this precinct and the Woodend community.”
“This important project has been led by the community, who are passionate about the history and future of this town. I encourage community members to have their say on this exciting project.”
The Andrews Labor Government is boosting public transport in the Macedon Ranges, with more bus services and simpler timetables to better connect Lancefield and Romsey with Gisborne and Sunbury.
60 extra services will make travel simpler for locals and give more options for travel between key towns in the Macedon Ranges.
Under the changes being introduced on 7 July the number of weekday services connecting Lancefield, Romsey and Monegeetta with surrounding destinations will increase from 85 to 145.
The existing service will be broken down into three distinct routes, each with their own timetables, with extra services added on each route.
Lancefield to Sunbury will have an increase to nine return trips on weekdays, and the Lancefield to Gisborne services will increase from two return services, to ten.
Lancefield to Sunbury services will also better connect with trains at Sunbury whilst maintaining existing connections at Clarkefield Station in the peak.
All services will now run to the same stopping patterns from Monday to Saturday, reducing the confusion passengers often experienced under the previous timetable which offered eight different trip variations.
These extra services add to more than 100 new bus services, introduced in April to the Kyneton bus network including a new Kyneton-Trentham route which has given Trentham and Tylden residents public transport access to key Kyneton destinations for the first time.
New timetables and maps outlining the service changes will be available from 7 June on the PTV website at ptv.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
“We’re serious about improving public transport for all regional Victorians and this is yet another example of how we’re determined to deliver for the Macedon Ranges.”
“We’re making public transport across the Macedon Ranges easier to navigate with better links to trains, simpler timetables and more regular buses.”
The Andrews Labor Government is boosting public transport in the Macedon Ranges, with more bus services and simpler timetables to better connect Lancefield and Romsey with Gisborne and Sunbury.
60 extra services will make travel simpler for locals and give more options for travel between key towns in the Macedon Ranges.
Under the changes being introduced on 7 July the number of weekday services connecting Lancefield, Romsey and Monegeetta with surrounding destinations will increase from 85 to 145.
The existing service will be broken down into three distinct routes, each with their own timetables, with extra services added on each route.
Lancefield to Sunbury will have an increase to nine return trips on weekdays, and the Lancefield to Gisborne services will increase from two return services, to ten.
Lancefield to Sunbury services will also better connect with trains at Sunbury whilst maintaining existing connections at Clarkefield Station in the peak.
All services will now run to the same stopping patterns from Monday to Saturday, reducing the confusion passengers often experienced under the previous timetable which offered eight different trip variations.
These extra services add to more than 100 new bus services, introduced in April to the Kyneton bus network including a new Kyneton-Trentham route which has given Trentham and Tylden residents public transport access to key Kyneton destinations for the first time.
New timetables and maps outlining the service changes will be available from 7 June on the PTV website at ptv.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
“We’re serious about improving public transport for all regional Victorians and this is yet another example of how we’re determined to deliver for the Macedon Ranges.”
“We’re making public transport across the Macedon Ranges easier to navigate with better links to trains, simpler timetables and more regular buses.”
