RCV takes workforce shortage concerns to Canberra

A delegation from Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) is in Canberra today for high-level pre-Budget meetings to discuss federal priorities for regional Victoria.

RCV Chair Cr Shane Sali – Mayor of Greater Shepparton, and Deputy Andrea Metcalf – Mayor of Greater Bendigo will lead talks, outlining to Ministers and members of Parliament that regional Victoria is facing unprecedented workforce shortages critical to delivering federal policies like boosting housing.

“Demand for workers in regional areas is at an all-time high,” Cr Sali said.

“Regional businesses are suffering from skills and labour shortages across a range of sectors including health, early childhood education, aged care and disability services, agriculture, construction, accommodation and food services, and education and training.”

The local government sector in regional Victoria is itself experiencing extreme workforce challenges due to a statewide shortage of planners, building surveyors, and engineering staff. These workers are critical to delivery of housing policies like the National Housing Accord.

“The Australian Government can play a greater role in attracting critical workers to the local government sector to not only boost housing, but support local economies and plan the future,” Cr Sali said.

RCV’s 2025 agenda also includes new flexible funding for urgent roadworks, guaranteed annual billion-dollar spend for regional infrastructure programs, recurring funding for enabling infrastructure programs and ensuring communities can build back better after natural disasters.

“We’re not looking for sugar hits. We’re looking for certainty – and consistent investment for the long-term is key,” Cr Sali said.

“Our cities are at the forefront of responding to population growth and maintaining the liveability for which regional Victoria is renowned.

“Recurring funding, instead of one-off commitments, gives us a reliable foundation to build sustainable cities and the confidence to commit ratepayers’ funds to projects that will grow our regions.

“We will continue to work with our federal colleagues to develop policies that not only invest equitably and sustainably in our regional cities but ultimately support a growing and prosperous Australia,” Cr Sali said.