Executive Chairperson, Kaiela Institute
The Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity and Productivity Plan is a whole of region approach to achieving shared prosperity and economic inclusion for the Goulburn Murray region.
The GMRPPP vision is to systematically achieve parity on life expectancy and quality of life measures for Yorta Yorta and First Nations’s People. This will be achieved through an inclusive integrated economy for the Goulburn Murray Region here on Yorta Yorta Country. We believe the region can achieve this over the next 15 years and generating an additional $180 million into the region.
This productivity can only be achieved by whole of region ownership, responsibility and accountability for shifting the narrative from the current crisis- and cost-based model to a new model of cyclical investment from productivity gains that benefits everyone.
The GMRPPP continues to build support since its launch in 2021 by Minister Jaala Pulford. Plan Champions, representing all major First Nations organisations, alongside the region’s leading institutions, businesses and employers, have now grown from 17 to 38. This includes the Board and Council of Elders of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation; the four local Shire Councils (Shepparton, Campaspe, Moira, and Strathbogie); the Committees for Greater Shepparton (240+ business owners) and Echuca Moama; Goulburn Valley Health, Goulburn Valley Water; Gouge Linen, SPC, J Furphy and Sons; and the University of Melbourne.
By linking businesses and employers to First Nations people training and higher education providers, we can strategise to addressing regional and future proofing against skill shortages, while generating shared prosperity from productivity gains. The Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence is to be a key enabler for delivering training and higher education for professional jobs and high value businesses.
The Prosperity Plan has been designed in our region, for our region. It seeks to unlock the full potential of the region by cementing Yorta Yorta and First Nations people in regional economy and identity. As productivity outcomes are achieved, cyclical reinvestment will generate continuing productivity gains and shared prosperity for everyone.
