Victorian Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchens heard about the priority major projects in the planning and design stage by the council during her visit to Benalla Rural City last week. Ms Hutchens and the Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes met with Mayor Justin King, the councillors and chief executive officer Tony McIlroy to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the rural city. The CEO presented the priority major projects being progressed to shovel ready status for the consideration of the next elected council. These include the redevelopment of the Benalla Airport, the Benalla Aquatic Centre, the Visitor Information Centre, further subdivision of Enterprise Park, and the redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery. Visits from the Local Government Minister are a valuable opportunity for us to demonstrate the many marvellous community assets that we have, the hard work that the council is doing to service the community, and the benefits that funding for major projects will have not just for Benalla Rural City, but for the whole region, Cr King said. 04 Mar 2015 Benalla Ensign, Benalla VIC