Premier John Brumby today announced that State Trustees would open a new Bendigo regional office, building on the city’s reputation of being a strong regional financial services centre.
Mr Brumby said decentralizing State Trustees to Bendigo would bring 100 jobs to the region by 2013 helping to drive a new era of prosperity and jobs growth in the region.
He said the move delivered on the objectives of the regional blueprint to grow Victoria’s regions by attracting professional jobs and major new investment.
“Our Government is acting to support families living and working in regional and rural Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.
“We have a strong record in moving government jobs to regional areas and as part of our $631 million regional blueprint we committed to building on this record by moving rewarding government jobs to regional areas.
“Moving the TAC to Geelong, the State Revenue Office to Ballarat and Rural Finance Corporation to Bendigo has generated millions in economic flow-on benefits to those communities and given families an opportunity to enjoy great lifestyles and great job opportunities.
“Today we are taking the next steps. By decentralising State Trustees to Bendigo we are bringing it closer to the tens of thousands of Victorians it supports and driving the future prosperity for this thriving regional centre.”
State Trustees is a Victorian Government owned trustee and financial services company.
It provides a range of services, including administrative services for people with a disability, wills, deceased estate administration, enduring powers of attorney, trusts, financial planning, tax and genealogical assistance.
The new State Trustees retail suite will be located at 74 Pall Mall, Bendigo.
Treasurer John Lenders visited the new the new Bendigo office today, saying it would improve the services of State Trustees to their expanding customer base in the local area and bring local jobs to the region.
“In early 2009, State Trustees made a commitment to move closer to the tens of thousands of Victorians it supports, and today, this commitment is strengthened with the announcement of plans to open its second regional service centre,” Mr Lenders said.
“State Trustees has taken the opportunity to meet the growing and changing needs of its customers and this is great news for Bendigo.
“Bendigo is already home to Bendigo Bank’s national headquarters, our Government moved Rural Finance here in 2004 and the region’s financial service sector is its third largest earning sector with Compelling Economics data showing earnings to $464.9 million in the 12 months to May.
“Moving the State Trustees to Bendigo will further boost the city’s reputation as a regional financial centre.”
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the Brumby Labor Government’s $631 million blueprint delivered a new vision, backed by record funding, to secure the future prosperity of regional and rural Victoria.
“Ready for Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria is a $631 million strategic investment by our Government to drive a new era of opportunity and prosperity in regional Victoria,” Ms Allan said.
“We committed to growing government jobs in our regions and we are delivering on that commitment. We want to drive more growth, more opportunities and more investment in regional and rural Victoria.
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Bendigo region and cements its reputation as a growing and thriving regional centre.”
Mr Lenders and Ms Jacinta Allan today joined State Trustees’ Chair, Julie Elliott, and State Trustees’ Acting Chief Executive, John Brennan in Bendigo to announce the decentralisation.
Ms Elliott said a large number of State Trustees’ clients live in and around Bendigo and the new office would make it easier for the local community to access its range of financial and legal services.
“Today’s commitment to the residents of Bendigo and surrounding areas will help us better support our existing customers, as well as helping more people make the most their opportunities and deal with life’s challenges,” Ms Elliott said.
“As part of the decentralisation strategy, the State Trustees will initially open a retail suite in Bendigo, which is expected to be operational within the next few months.”
Mr Brennan said Bendigo was selected for the new office because of the volume of State Trustees clients and staff in surrounding areas.
“We are delighted to take this next step to help ensure all Victorians, regardless of circumstance or background, are equipped with the right financial and legal tools to meet life’s challenges and make the most of their opportunities,” Mr Brennan said.
No employees will be forced to move to regional Victoria as part of the planned decentralization of selected public sector jobs. The program will be mostly managed by attrition, however affected employees who want to move will be supported to relocate.
