October 2025 - Regional Cities Victoria

Regional Cities tell new Chief Commissioner: Keen to partner with police for crime prevention

16 October 2025

MEDIA STATEMENT

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV), representing the state’s 10 largest regional cities, will meet virtually today with Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush to brief him on growing community safety concerns across regional Victoria.

The alliance will share priority issues including a sharp rise in youth crime and anti-social behaviour in public places.

RCV Chair and Greater Shepparton Mayor Cr Shane Sali said local leaders were hearing growing concerns from residents and businesses about escalating crime and safety issues and will use today’s meeting to discuss practical steps councils and police can undertake together to restore community confidence and safety.

“Community safety is now one of the biggest concerns of our regional cities,” Cr Sali said.

“Regional councils are on the frontline of rising crime. We’re ready to partner with police on prevention, but we need assurance that regional policing resources keep pace with the scale and complexity of what we’re seeing on the ground.”

Persistent anti-social behaviour around public transport hubs and malls remain a significant concern.

“Localised policing programs and place-based initiatives have had success when resourced, but they often lapse once operational priorities shift elsewhere. Visible, sustained policing works,” Cr Sali said.

Member councils will discuss stronger partnerships with Victoria Police, including potential for daytime roles of Protective Services Officers and ensuring adequate police staffing in growing regional centres. RCV is also seeking advice on measures to protect regional traders from the increasing threat of tobacco-related arson and theft.

Cr Sali said RCV welcomed the Chief Commissioner’s early engagement and commitment to a regional focus.

“This is an important chance to ensure the Chief Commissioner has a regional perspective for the work he has ahead of him resetting the agenda for community safety in Victoria,” he said.

“We will extend an invitation for the Commissioner to visit each of our regional cities and discuss local initiatives that build safer, stronger, more confident communities.”

Media: Emily Broadbent – 0413 133 627

Local Government leaders united in opposition to ESVF

MEDIA STATEMENT

We have formally escalated our concerns to the Victorian Government, writing jointly to Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes to set out our strong opposition to the newly introduced Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF).

Representing all 79 Victorian councils, we remain deeply concerned that the ESVF will unfairly burden ratepayers – particularly in rural and regional communities already grappling with drought, water insecurity and cost-of-living pressures.

We are united in our view that:

The ESVF is a tax. It funds services that should be supported from consolidated revenue, and its collection belongs with the State Revenue Office, not local councils.

The levy places an inequitable and disproportionate burden on Victoria’s primary producers and rural communities.

Local government and our communities were not adequately consulted on a reform that directly affects them.

Transparency and fairness must underpin any funding model for emergency services.

While we strongly support the vital role of emergency services volunteers, we cannot support the ESVF in its current form. The policy is inequitable, poorly implemented, and risks undermining community trust.

On behalf of our ratepayers and communities, we have urged the Premier and Treasurer to reconsider this policy in the interests of equity, sustainability and fairness. We stand ready to work constructively with the Government on a fairer and more transparent approach that delivers sustainable funding for emergency services without placing an unfair burden on Victorian ratepayers.

ENDS

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