The Albury and Wodonga city councils have signed a statement of intent to develop a Regional Deal with the NSW, Victorian and Federal governments.
The five parties agreed on arrangements for negotiations last week, 16 months after a pilot Regional Deal was announced.
Federal Assistant Minister for Territories and Regional Development Nola Marino said a Albury Wodonga Regional Deal supporting population growth and economic development over the next decade will ensure the region remains “nationally significant, liveable and prosperous”.
Albury City Mayor Kevin Mack said community consultations will begin shortly to understand the priorities, opportunities and challenges that exist in the region.
City of Wodonga Mayor Anna Speedie said: “Business and community consultation will provide an opportunity to better understand and consider how the deal can also play a role in addressing community priorities following the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires and the ongoing impacts of Covid-19”.
The Commonwealth is providing $3.2 million to fund the planning and analysis that will underpin the deal, which is expected to be developed by mid-2021.
It will be second such agreement after the Barkly Regional Deal signed in April 2019. A Hinkler Regional Deal is in the implementation phase.