Regional Cities Victoria drought taskforce update
Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) joined key industry and government stakeholders including the Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as part of drought taskforce talks in Ballarat today.
This was the third meeting in as many weeks where regional and rural leaders provided vital insights to the Premier and Ministers to address critical drought concerns.
RCV Chair Shane Sali, Mayor of Greater Shepparton, said the $69 million package already announced by the Victorian Government included important measures to support Victoria’s primary production industry, but there was still more to do.
“The state is relying on Victoria’s regions for food and fibre products to boost the state’s economic prospects – that’s why direct relief to farmers continues to be our priority,” Cr Sali said.
“We have consistently – with our taskforce counterparts Rural Councils Victoria and the Victorian Farmers Federation – sought additional support measures including council rate relief and an increase to the on-farm drought infrastructure grants.
“We look forward to further announcements from the Victorian Government in the coming weeks.”
While acknowledging yesterday’s announcement of grants of up to $5,000 for community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness, to be delivered through the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Government, Cr Sali said that initiative should also be available to local councils.
“Local councils have a grassroots understanding of their communities and bringing people together when things are tough is what they do best,” Cr Sali said.
Cr Sali said the taskforce had been an important forum to provide the Premier and Ministers with feedback and insights.
“There is significant concern about a lack of future investment in community infrastructure, about critical workforce shortages, and about housing and services needed to accommodate the thousands of extra people coming to live in regional Victoria every year,” Cr Sali said.
“And while the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levy has been paused for 12 months, there is still significant stress being felt regarding its eventual rollout and the financial impacts it will have on primary producers and regional and rural areas more broadly as they recover from drought.
“Victoria’s regional cities must be heard. We need considered investment to underpin our long-term economic prosperity and ensure we can maintain everything we love about living in our regional cities.”
RCV is the trusted voice to government for the regions, their cities and the rural communities they support.
“Our leadership group – led by the Mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest cities in regional Victoria – has provided strategic advice to government, ministers and industry stakeholders for the last 25 years,” Cr Sali said.
“We are committed to working with governments, on behalf of regional and rural Victorians, to ensure our regional cities see the right investment to support our growth.”
Media: Emily Broadbent – 0413 133 627
