By Ewen McRae
Melton council will explore opportunities for an overseas Friendship City.
It follows an approach from the Chinese city of Heze, which had representatives visit Melton in 2017 to investigate a potential future partnership.
Heze is a province in the west of China, between Beijing and Shanghai, which is primarily an agricultural region.
While the council officers report recommended that council further investigate establishing a friendship city relationship with Heze, an alternate motion from Cr Ken Hardy was passed.
Cr Hardy proposed further investigation to establish a relationship with a city that would best benefit Melton council.
“Principally this is based on economic, friendship, and sister city relationship with a yet to be named city,” Cr Hardy said.
“It’s got to be based on meaningful conversations and also economic outcomes that will benefit Melton. Once we have that we can go forward with the state government, who have business relationships in China, that we can tap into that will match us with the best outcomes.
“It’s about using the tools available to us before we make a decision.”
Council officers will now prepare a report for council on potential friendship cities.
