Please note: this is an old article
It was published in September 2010, so the information may be out-of-date.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Geoff Dobson and CEO Phil Pearce have recently returned from China, witnessing a signing agreement for the new Australia-China Dairy project.
The Memorandum of Understanding signing between Chinese company Tianyi Group, and local Australian company Sustainable Soils and Farms was held at the International Investment and Trade Fair in Zhengzhou, China on 26 August 2010.
The Australia-China Dairy project was one of a number of joint ventures, totaling A$20billion in investment that were signed at the trade fair.
The project is expected to lead to a $75 million dairy investment in northern Victoria, with 10 organic dairy hubs across the region.
Mayor Geoff Dobson spoke about the importance of mutual cooperation between the local governments at a special ceremony that was witnessed up to 1000 people. “Council is committed to growing the local economy and anything that we can do to attract economic investment into our region we will,” Cr Dobson said. “The spin offs from large investments like theses are huge - both in the short and long term. “The Chinese people put great emphasis on the formality and ritual of an official signing, so we knew it was important that we attend the event. “It was a whirlwind trip, with seven flights in eight days, but it was an important to the Chinese people that we were there as a sign of support for the project.” They also visited the City Shangqiu, where Chinese component of the joint venture will be based. During the stop they toured a cattle feed lot and a diary production company and met with the City Mayor and government officials at a formal dinner. Following the International Investment and Trade Fair they also visited Greater Shepparton’s friendship city Lijiang where they held meetings with the Deputy Mayor and other City officials before returning home to Australia. The official signing of the a Friendship City Agreement between Greater Shepparton and Lijiang City occurred on Saturday 29 August 2010 at the Chinese Gardens at Monash Park, Shepparton and was witnessed by the Chinese Consul-General in Melbourne, Mr SHEN Weilian.