Probing city China links

Other councils to help decide future fate of Wangaratta’s sister relationship

Written by STEVEN BURKE. - Source: Wangaratta Chronicle

THE fate of the Rural City of Wangaratta council’s ongoing relationship with China could lie in the hands of other regional Victorian councils.

A forum involving other councils has been called as part of an investigation into whether Wangaratta’s relationship with the Suzhou-Wuzhong district is simply a "junket", giving the mayor of the day free trips to China.

Councillor Rozi Parisotto labelled the reciprocal visits a "junket" in August last year when then mayor, Roberto Paino and his wife, along with council’s chief executive, Doug Sharp, were scheduled to travel to the district.

That trip was later cancelled due to an earthquake in China, but council still ordered a review of the benefits of the relationship.

Council’s executive manager of economic development, Graham Nickless, said the forum would help inform the council review.

He said the forum, to be run by Regional Development Victoria, was scheduled to be held in early March, but has been postponed due to the recent bushfires.

"Council asked Wangaratta Unlimited to undertake a review of the relationship with Suzhou-Wuzhong district," he said.

"In part of undertaking that review, we had dialogue with other councils, including Shepparton and Sunraysia (Mildura), who have a range of different international relationships and the idea of a forum was put in train.

"We will come together and hear a range of case studies about what has come out of these relationships, with a particular focus on economic development outcomes."

Council has had a formal relationship with the Suzhou-Wuzhong district for more than five years, with representatives from China visiting Wangaratta and vice versa.

Cr Parisotto said she was looking forward to hearing the outcomes of the forum.

"It is really talking about the relationship we have with China and the trips that council have made in the past to investigate opportunities," she said.

"Part of the forum is really identifying what it is that we can see as opportunities.

"What are our strengths, and opportunities?

"Do we have a future there?

"I’m hoping the forum will bring a lot of that out so it gives us a direction and a strategy that we can work towards."