The Victorian Government has unveiled plans to bring 100 public sector jobs to Bendigo with the opening of a new call centre.

Premier John Brumby said the creation of the new Bendigo-based government call centre was part of a broader strategy to drive economic growth in regional and rural Victoria through decentralisation of government jobs.

“We have a strong record in decentralising government jobs to regional areas and as part of our $631 million regional blueprint we want to move even more jobs to our regions to drive a new era of opportunity and prosperity,” Mr Brumby said.

“Moving the TAC to Geelong, the State Revenue Office to Ballarat and Rural Finance Corporation to Bendigo has generated millions in economic flow-on benefits to those communities and given families an opportunity to enjoy great lifestyles and great job opportunities.”

He said the call centre will take calls for Consumer Affairs Victoria and a number of offices within the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development including Info Vic, Victorian Business Line, TAFE course line and Apprenticeships by the end of 2012.

The site of the new call centre is yet to be determined.

The Premier’s announcement followed on from the State Trustees decision to establish a new office in Bendigo, which is expected to bring an additional 100 jobs to the region.

The Government has assured its employees that no one will be forced to move to regional Victoria as part of the decentralisation plan.