New Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture Jaclyn Symes lays out priorities for Wimmera on her first visit to the region

Jaclyn Symes began her first visit to the region on Thursday, after taking up the portfolios in the wake of the State Election four months ago. She visited Rupanyup to view the progress of the community retail hub. 

The town's business community is overseeing the project, with the state government's support. Ms Symes said a project manager has been appointed and building works set to begin in the coming weeks.

She said the precinct would be up and running by the end of the year, generating several full-time jobs.

"That is all about maintaining local jobs and services for a small community," Ms Symes said. "What's very interesting to me is to see if this model can be rolled out to other communities dealing with population decline and issues retaining of services."

Ms Symes said the government was focused on encouraging people to set-up businesses and create jobs in Horsham.

She pointed to the allocation of $1.7 million to improve Wimmera businesses' access to high-speed broadband in October as an example of this.

"I'm a big fan of the hub-and-spoke model. I know that country people hate getting in the car and going to Melbourne, but they're happy to make their way to a close regional centre," she said.

"Making sure the services and facilities in our large regional centres are there for the broader region is something I'm passionate about."

Ms Symes said she saw the Wimmera's strong research and development concerning horticulture and wheat production as an area on which to build new employment opportunities.

Concerning her other portfolio, agriculture, Ms Symes said she was interested talking to Wimmera farmers during her visit about the measures they needed to weather the "challenging times". 

"Farmers across state are experiencing dry conditions and high water prices," she said.

Ms Symes said the government's economic analysis had found the Silo Art Trail had brought, on average, an extra 576 visitors a month to the Wimmera during the past 11 months.

"The analysis has shown a tourist spend of more than $260,000 over the same period," she said.

"We have an election commitment to expand on the Silo Art project across the state. There is $300,000 available in the Victorian budget for that. 

"I've also received initial briefings on the Grampians Peaks Trail and visitors' experiences, so I'm looking forward to furthering those conversations with Horsham Rural City Council while I'm here."

Ms Symes will tour Horsham's Grains Innovation Park and Longerenong College on Friday.