Still more to do to meet housing demand in regional Victoria

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Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has welcomed the Allan Government’s announcement that land around some of our major regional centres will be protected for agricultural and industrial uses, but warned that major obstacles remain if Victoria is to meet its targets for new housing.

RCV had hoped Plan for Victoria would express a vision that put regional Victoria at the heart of the state’s growth strategy and encouraged a greater proportion of the population to live in our regional cities.

“Regional cities see an opportunity to attract the key workers we need in our regional hospitals, schools and local businesses, while easing the pressure on housing in Melbourne at the same time,” said Cr Shane Sali, RCV Chair.

RCV’s submission to the government called for a broad plan that would drive decisions and investment to attract more people to live and work in regional Victoria; better connect our regional cities to Melbourne and each other; coordinate housing growth with infrastructure investment; protect rural amenity and support resilient, healthy communities; increase housing choice and diversity; and address housing affordability for locals.