The big federal departments of Health, Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs are in the sights of Wangaratta Council as part of the government’s decentralisation plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A submission into a federal inquiry, signed by mayor Ken Clarke, stated the city was an “easy transition” for the departments, based on a growing professional workforce.
“Through the effective use of the NBN, road, rail and air access and other infrastructural assets, these departments would have the benefit of being able to continue business with no impact on the day-to-day workings of government,” the submission stated.
“The Rural City of Wangaratta is now well-positioned to be a hub for various decentralised governmental agencies.”
Wangaratta has been traditionally dominated by the manufacturing industry, but the submission noted that with some businesses leaving the area, people had been left with limited job opportunities, despite wanting to stay in the region.
There was also a decline in infrastructure which could have helped businesses expand.
The city’s biggest employer is now the health sector.
The council responded to this change of “class” of residents by promoting events such as the Jazz Festival, Feast of Art event, cycling carnivals and wine festivals.
“With the rise of the professional class in the employment mix of the community, the RCoW has invested heavily to make the region attractive as a place for employment and residence,” the submission stated.
It argued a “strong existing employment base” would assist the Health department; the combination of rural, manufacturing and tourism needs were ideal for Infrastructure; and relocating the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would reflect business and eco-tourism and “the increasing ethnic and community diversity resulting from strong migration opportunities”.
Wangaratta reacted to its limited employment pool by increasing education and student numbers to address the needs of the city.
“This is reflected in the growth of employment opportunities upon completion of studies,” the council said.
“The philosophy of working collaboratively between government departments and across industry skills has provided an outcome where the RCoW enjoys a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent, even though significant businesses have been lost.”
