MILLICENT business operators and employees had the opportunity on Monday to have face-to-face discussions with members of the region’s peak economic development body.
A late afternoon reception was hosted by Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast acting chairman Alan Richardson in the meeting chamber of Wattle Range Council.
Board members Scott Whicker, Ann Aldersey, Lew Parsons, Erika Vickery and Judy Nagy were also present along with chief executive David Wheaton and other senior staff.
Millicent Business Community Association chairman Lee Morgan was among the local business identities to attend.
Wattle Range Council was represented by its deputy chief executive Paul Duka and councillors Glenn Brown, Gwenda Lawlor and John Drew.
Mr Richardson introduced the board and staff to the gathering and said it was the usual practice of his board to visit one or two local businesses whenever they held their scheduled meetings at population centres across the region.
He said a different approach was adopted at its Millicent meeting as the board wanted to meet locals on an informal basis.
RDA chief executive David Wheaton gave an overview of the activities of his organisation in the 2016/17 financial year and highlighted its involvement in the Wattle Range Council.
In conjunction with the council, the RDA joined the site visit to the Carter Holt Harvey site in Nangwarry to develop a strategy showcasing the services to promote the site for future economic development.
The RDA provided assistance to council to engage a consulting company to prepare a master plan of development in the Tantanoola industrial estate.
In collaboration with other stakeholders, the RDA has supported the establishment of the $20m Shield Formply timber processing plant in the region.
The RDA has supported Chinese investment in this district including the Blue Lake Dairy Group’s milk processing plant at Tantanoola.
