By Ewen McRae
Melton council will not enter into a friendship city arrangement with the Chinese city of Heze.
Council had been investigating a partnership with the city – which sits between Beijing and Shanghai – since June 2019, but decided at last week’s meeting to put its focus elsewhere.
Council was approached by Heze in 2017 to establish a friendship city arrangement, after representatives from the city visited Melton that year, with the relationship designed to promote economic development, cultural learnings, and knowledge growth.
Councillor Ken Hardy successfully moved a motion at the June 2019 meeting to investigate all options for a friendship city, with Heze just one of the options.
“Principally this is based on economic, friendship, and sister city relationship with a yet to be named city,” Cr Hardy said at the time.
“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.”
After their investigations, council officers determined that it would be better to look at establishing relationships with other cities upon the completion of a new investment strategy, due to be completed in September 2020.
“It is recommended that council undertake its investment attraction program based on the recommendations of the Investment Attraction Strategy, currently being developed by Ernst and Young, and utilising proven established networks through the Victorian Government and Victorian Chamber of Commerce where the needs of Melton can be aligned and matched with suitable partners,” the officers’ report said.
“There is the risk that entering into a friendship city agreement would be considered premature in the absence of a clearly articulated investment attraction plan.”
