Victorian Major Projects Conference
"Funding, Procuring & Delivering "

TIM PALLAS
Minister for Major Projects, Roads and Ports - Victoria

In tough economic times the Brumby Government is acting to secure jobs through record levels of infrastructure investment and by fast tracking projects.

The 2009-10 State Budget handed down in May delivers strong leadership with an $11.5 billion investment next financial year in job-creating infrastructure to secure up to 35,000 jobs.

Another major initiative to support the construction industry is the recently announced planning reforms to speed up investment and jobs. Under these reforms ten projects have already been fast tracked creating more than 18,000 jobs and a $2.46 billion boost for the Victorian economy.

The next year promises to be an exciting time in the Major Projects portfolio. The Melbourne Convention Centre, opening in July, is a fantastic new economic engine for the State. It is the largest centre of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and will inject $197 million a year for the next 25 years into the Victorian economy creating 2500 jobs.

The Victorian Major Projects Conference '09 will be held on the 24 August 2009 at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre. This conference will be focusing on 3 key areas of Major Projects 'Funding, Procuring and Delivering'.

The conference will provide the ideal opportunity to examine projects shaping the state with the main aim being to assist both the public as well as the private sectors in better understanding the Victorian market and providing them with an effective, efficient and environmentally viable means of being involved with projects.

I encourage you to take advantage of all that this conference will offer. This is the perfect networking opportunity to discuss with key speakers, sponsors and delegates about project priorities on a state level and how best these would be delivered. Exchange views with other delegates on ideas presented at the conference as well as obtain ideas that may make a significant difference to your business.

We are confident that the major projects we deliver will generate lasting benefits for Victorians: from Melbourne’s CBD to our smallest rural towns; from the state’s biggest companies to small local businesses.

I look forward to seeing you at the Victorian Major Projects Conference '09.

Tim Pallas MP
Minister for Major Projects, Roads and Ports