RCV welcomes moves to address workforce shortages

26 August 2024

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) Chair Cr Shane Sali, Mayor of Shepparton, has welcomed the Victorian Government’s moves to address local government workforce shortages, but said there was still more that can be done.

Mr Sali said the present skills shortage is causing to delays in decisions around permitting and precinct planning, directly exacerbating housing shortages and contributing to unaffordability, and costing councils and ratepayers more in private consultants.

Mr Sali said RCV was keen to work with the consortium of higher education providers led by RMIT University on the two-year pilot, designed to fill skills shortages in areas like engineering, town planning and allied health. Training will commence in 2025, for more job pathways for local government workers wishing to retrain and new opportunities for jobseekers.

Cr Sali said RCV was deeply troubled about both low enrolment numbers for planners at universities and the potential consequences this would have housing supply and affordability.

“We support efforts under the National Housing Accord to streamline approvals for more homes, and key to this process is having a qualified and consistent planning workforce,” Cr Sali said.

“Regional planning is not just about building houses. Planners also provide important work toward mitigation of the increasing risk of bushfires and floods, and consideration of native vegetation and heritage protection.

“Planning courses and degrees at local universities are critical to building a regional planning workforce that is not only invested in the future of our cities, but can deliver on the housing aspirations of federal and state governments and the demands of Victoria’s growing population.”

In recent submissions to Commonwealth and Victorian parliamentary inquiries and government engagement processes, RCV has called for:
• the Commonwealth to deem statutory planners as critical to the National Housing Accord and encourage more people to take up this occupation in the public sector;
• scholarships for those studying urban and regional planning;
• forgiveness of Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts for planning practitioners who live in regional Australia and work in local government;
• eligibility for the ‘Commonwealth Prac Payment’ for students undertaking mandatory placements whilst studying a course accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia; and
• inclusion of Urban and Regional Planner (ANZSCO 232611) in the Critical Skills Occupation List, to encourage skilled migrants to regional Australia.

“The $6.3m pilot program is a step in the right direction, but there are further measures that must be considered to sustain the workforce long term. Right now, we need a joint effort between universities, governments and industry bodies to facilitate promotion of these degrees – and the planning profession – to prospective students,” Cr Sali said.

“These courses are critical to building a planning workforce that can deliver on government housing aspirations and the demands of Victoria’s growing population.

“RCV is committed to continuing to work with the government to turn this skills shortage trend around.”

Regional Cities Victoria comprises the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

Collectively, these cities are home to more than 800,000 Victorians, and contribute to approximately 10 per cent of Victoria’s economy.

Media contact: Emily Broadbent 0413 133 627

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Now more than ever, Victoria’s regions must be heard

22 August 2024

The lifestyles afforded by our regional cities, and a couple of years in lockdown, prompted the largest city and suburban exodus Victoria has ever seen.

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) is the peak body representing our major regional centers of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, the Latrobe Valley, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga. Collectively, we are home to more than 800,000 people and are strategically important to the Victorian and national economy.

RCV is committed to assisting our regions grow – we need more homes and more jobs, and to protect the aspects locals love about their regional city. Consistent, fair and well-targeted funding from governments is critical to ensuring our regional cities not only function but thrive.

Within the next three years Australians will witness the beginning of three new terms of government with council elections in October, a federal election expected in 2025, and a Victorian state election to take place in 2026.

What happens in these election cycles will most likely shape our state for the next decade.

Now more than ever, Victoria’s regional cities must be heard.

Federal and State Governments must work with our Regional Cities in a genuine partnership to ease the strains of population growth on our capital cities and reset government investment priorities to capitalise on the economic opportunities the regions offer.

Many regional Victorians look at the tens of billions being spent to ease growth pains in metro-Melbourne and wonder about the potential of that level of investment in growing and better connecting our regional cities.

Governments need to look beyond metro areas. Collectively we must raise aspirations for our regional cities. There is so much opportunity outside Melbourne to give rise to new and emerging industries, create more jobs, more affordable housing, and stronger communities.

We know the potential of our regions, we know challenges and we believe there is opportunity for all levels of government to work in partnership with RCV to unlock solutions.

And with growth comes expectations – fair expectations – of greater investment in public transport, roads, community spaces, and resilience to natural disasters.

As the trusted voice of regional Victoria, RCV continues to work to highlight the aspirations of Victoria’s regional cities to deliver the economic growth, improved connectivity, livability, and sustainability required in regional Victoria now and for the decades ahead.

Cr Sali, Chair of Regional Cities Victoria and Mayor of Shepparton
RCV compromises the mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria.

Contact: Emily Broadbent 0413 133 627

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