Regional teams

As part of actively engaging, supporting and connecting communities, the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has teams based in each of the eight regions across Victoria: five rural and three metropolitan areas. The teams work in partnership with non-government organisations, businesses, community groups and all levels of government to coordinate planning and action to better target local responses to community needs and issues.

DPCD's regional teams are the first point of contact for anyone wanting to access or engage with DPCD, Regional Development Victoria (RDV) or the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) in their area.

Expertise and responsibilities of regional teams include regional strategic and land use planning; the promotion of regional and local business; community development and social infrastructure development; industry and economic development; investments in local communities and places; sport and recreation; indigenous community planning and engagement; and local government liaison.

Each of the five non-metropolitan regions is comprised of three main teams: Regional Development; Community Development; and Planning and Development. Regional teams work across all portfolios in the Department, brokering and facilitating partnerships for shared outcomes across Government, business and Victorian communities.

The three non-metropolitan teams focus solely on Community Development.

Regions support the Government's eight Regional Management Forums (RMFs) and non-metropolitan regions also have clear accountabilities to support the operations of Regional Development Australia Committees (RDACs).

For more information about RDA Committees, go to: http://www.rda.gov.au/

Integrated Regional Delivery Model

DPCD and the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) work in partnership to provide a regional presence, intelligence and delivery capability for our stakeholders.
DPCD's Integrated Regional Delivery Model is designed to provide a cohesive approach to regional service delivery, problem solving and public and private investments. DPCD and DBI share many common and similar stakeholders and work to provide a single point of engagement for regional communities, business, local government and other stakeholders, allowing more rapid and coherent responses to local priorities and issues.

Regional Development Victoria

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) is the Victorian Government's lead agency in developing rural and regional Victoria. With a focus on building stronger communities through employment, investment and infrastructure, RDV supports regional Victoria primarily through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to provide better infrastructure, facilities and services; strengthen the economic and social base of communities; create jobs and improve career opportunities for regional Victorians; and support local project development and planning.

For more information about Regional Development Victoria go to: http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/home

Community Development

DPCD regional teams manage grants and deliver community programs in a way that is coordinated and 'joins-up' the different government departments. The teams also improve the government's capacity to listen and respond to communities as their needs change over time.
 
The regional teams:

• help government and community groups work together to develop services, projects and programs for the community
• compile local intelligence so that policies, programs and projects are developed and reviewed to reflect local needs
• deliver selected DPCD programs locally
• coordinate DPCD community investments.

DPCD regional teams work and partner with a range of groups using a community development approach. They aim to deliver community strengthening initiatives that encourage civic participation, civic decision making, volunteering, local partnerships and engagement, and enable communities to develop the capacity to respond to their long term needs and challenges.

Regional Management Forums

The Regional Management Forums (RMFs) were established to support Government departments and local government authorities to work together more closely at a regional level.
 
The Regional teams provide ongoing support for the operation of Regional Management Forums and assist in establishing strategic partnerships. The teams also coordinate responses on important issues which require the involvement of multiple areas of the Department in planning and integrated action. This may include supporting cross-government project teams or working groups.

Regional Planning

Regional teams are responsible for land use planning in regional Victoria. This includes managing the regulatory framework and providing advice on planning policy, urban design and strategic planning, as well as information on land development.
 
Regional teams work with DPCD's Regional Policy Team to achieve strategic change and improvement to the sustainability of Victoria's regions. They do this by working in partnership with other state government departments; local councils; infrastructure and service providers; and local communities to identify sustainable settlement and land use patterns which meet environmental, social and economic objectives.
 
The regional teams collaborate on a number of projects such as the delivery of actions identified in Regional Strategic Plans. DPCD is also supporting rural and regional councils in the development of Regional Growth Plans, in order to plan for population growth and ensure longer-term regional land supply.

 
Find out more at DPCD's Planning web pages
 
Find your council

Contact your regional team