14/04/2000

In 1995, the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Regional Development and the Victorian State Department of Planning and Development commissioned the preparation of a Strategic Infrastructure Development Strategy for the North West Region of metropolitan Melbourne. In 1995, as is the case today, a number of inter-related studies were underway in Melbourne’s West examining issues such as transport planning, infrastructure and economic development. In 1995 this culminated in “Building on the Best: Infrastructure priorities for the North West”, prepared by Ratio Consultants for the six western region councils and the cities of Hume and Moreland.

Many of the issues and possible actions identified in the 1995 report continue to be of relevance in 2000. However, over the past five years there have been sufficient and significant changes to necessitate a revision of the direction of economic development and the policies and strategies to effect investment and employment growth in the region.

The Western Melbourne Opportunity Summit provides the vehicle to identify what is required, when and by whom in Melbourne’s West. It enables us to examine ways of increasing