The Victorian Government has outlined its $1 billion Regional Development Victoria (RDV) initiative, saying the program will a “wide-range of programs and initiatives to support jobs and growth in regional and rural Victoria”

 

The RDV initiative forms part of the Victorian Government’s $1 billion Regional Development Fund, which was outlined in the state’s 2011-12 Budget.

 

Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the majority of programs under the previous government's 2010 Ready for Tomorrow statement continued to receive support - with the exception of the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RDIF).

 

"The RDIF has been discontinued and replaced by the much larger and more flexible Regional Growth Fund, which will deliver far greater outcomes for the people of regional and rural Victoria," Mr Ryan said.

 

In addition to specific Regional Development Victoria programs Mr Ryan said the State Government had also allocated $20 million to a dedicated Regional Aviation Fund and $160 million over four years for rural roads and bridges.