18 Mar 2016 Gippsland Times & Maffra Spectator, Sale VIC (General News) THE state government has announced arrangements for a Regional Futures Summit, an initiative to influence and drive population growth in regional and rural Victoria. The summit will be held in Bendigo on July 20, bringing together demographers, academics, community leaders, government, industry, education and health providers to shape new regional population strategies. Regional Futures will influence priorities for the Labor governments $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund as well as the work plans for the nine new Regional Partnerships. Speaking in Marysville, Northern Victoria MLC Jaclyn Symes announced the conference to the states 38 rural councils at their annual summit last Friday. We need to continue to innovate to take regional Victoria forward, she said. Lets have a conversation about how regional cities and rural towns can attract new residents so that regional Victoria can continue to have the best of everything. The summit will build on the governments Stronger Rural Councils initiative, a $3.5 million commitment to rural councils.Victorias rural and regional councils will be invited to contribute their experience and ideas to the summit. Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)