A new website launched by the Victorian State Government is aiming to create new jobs and investment opportunities in the State’s Food Bowl region.

Speaking from Strathmerton, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the Victoria’s Foodbowl website would help attract new business and boost job numbers in the region as a result of the $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve water security across Victoria’s Food Bowl region and drive investment and jobs,” Ms Allan said.

“The Victoria’s Food Bowl website will act as a prospectus to attract investment and jobs to the region.

“It can be easily updated because it is online and it will have a much broader reach in terms of potential investors.”

Ms Allan said the Brumby Labor Government contributed $1 million towards the project developed by a multimedia team from Goulburn Ovens TAFE.

“It provides information on the region’s strengths in relation to agriculture and the supply chain as well as providing an overview of the $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project,” she said.

Ms Allan said a committee with representatives from Food Bowl Unlimited and local councils including Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Loddon, Campaspe, Moira and Greater Shepparton would own and steer the online prospectus project.

She added that the $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project would capture about 425 billion litres of water each year, with more than 80 per cent of the water going to farmers and stressed rivers and less than 20 per cent going to Melbourne.

“The project is being delivered by Northern Victoria Irrigation renewal Project is jointly funded with $600 million from the Victorian Government, $300 million from Melbourne Water and $100 million from farmers in northern Victoria and up to $1 billion from the Commonwealth,” Ms Allan said.

The new website will be further promoted in a forthcoming marketing campaign.