New Local Infrastructure Fund a win for RCV advocacy

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MEDIA RELEASE

13 May 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s new $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund – announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.

The fund, which includes $500 million dedicated to regional Australia, is a major win for RCV’s sustained advocacy to unlock more housing in the regions – securing investment in the essentials needed to deliver new homes including roads, lights, footpaths, sewerage, drainage, water and power.

RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain said the fund was recognition that regional Victoria cannot solve the housing crisis without serious infrastructure investment.

“Governments just can’t continue to focus on housing targets while ignoring the infrastructure we need to actually unlock housing supply.”

Cr Blain said RCV had consistently pushed for greater Commonwealth investment in enabling infrastructure through its federal budget advocacy and during the alliance’s Canberra delegation earlier this year.

“In March we took a clear message to Canberra, and we were obviously heard – regional Victoria is ready to help solve the housing crisis, but councils cannot keep footing the bill for growth alone,” Cr Blain said.

“Regional Victoria has the land and the ambition. What’s been missing is infrastructure investment that keeps pace with growth.”

Cr Blain said while the regional allocation was a positive start, he anticipated demand would far exceed available funding.

“Half a billion dollars across regional Australia over four years sounds significant until every growing regional council in the country lines up for a share of it. This will be a highly competitive national program.”

Budget investment initiatives – including new funding rounds for the Growing Regions and Stronger Communities programs – reflected growing recognition that regional cities can play a critical role in delivering the homes Australia needs, while supporting economic growth and easing pressure on capital cities.

“Housing affordability isn’t just about building homes faster – it’s about making sure regional communities have the infrastructure needed to grow sustainably and remain great places to live,” Cr Blain said.

 

RCV calls for “Eyes on Victoria” crime response

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MEDIA RELEASE

12 May 2026

RCV has called on the State to ensure regional communities don’t become an organised crime blind spot following today’s announcement of the new “Eyes on the City” crime crackdown for metropolitan Melbourne.

RCV Deputy Chair Cr Michael Gobel, Mayor of Wodonga, said the same criminal behaviour impacting Melbourne is also a threat to regional Victoria.

“Organised crime does not stop at the Calder or the Princes Freeway,” Cr Gobel said.

Cr Gobel said RCV supported stronger investment in surveillance and crime prevention infrastructure, but warned any response limited to Melbourne risked creating blind spots across the rest of the state.

“You cannot run a statewide crime strategy with half the state left off the map. If criminals know the cameras stop at the metro boundary, what does that mean for regional businesses?” Cr Gobel said.

RCV member councils have raised growing concerns around threats associated with the illicit tobacco trade and related criminal activity, including intimidation, property damage and organised criminal behaviour extending well beyond metropolitan Melbourne.

Cr Gobel said regional Victoria should either receive its own dedicated “Eyes on our Regions” surveillance and safety program, or regional businesses should be eligible to apply for support through the Victorian Government’s new $10 million Hospitality Security Fund.

“Regional Victorians pay taxes too. Their businesses help fund this program, so they deserve access to it,” Cr Gobel said.

“Crime doesn’t recognise postcodes and any government response to this crime wave shouldn’t either.”

RCV welcomed Victoria Police’s increasing focus on partnerships and safer communities under Chief Commissioner Mike Bush and said stronger collaboration between councils and police would be critical to tackling organised criminal activity across the state.

“We are encouraged by Victoria Police’s renewed focus on community partnerships and prevention. Regional cities stand ready to work alongside Victoria Police to strengthen local safety, improve intelligence sharing and help build more resilient communities,” Cr Gobel said.

“A camera network that only watches Melbourne is not a statewide solution – it’s a statewide vulnerability.”

 

Regional Victoria told to do more with less

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5 May 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) says the Victorian Government’s 2026–27 State Budget expects regional cities to meet the ambitions of the future without the investment to match.

With this budget handed down ahead of the November state election, RCV said regional Victorians were looking for a clear signal that government understands the scale of the challenge – particularly on roads, housing and regional economic development.

RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain said the budget continues a pattern of underinvestment in the regions.

“Every budget since the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund was scrapped, we’re seeing more of the same, while the challenges facing regional communities just keep getting bigger,” Cr Blain said.

“If this is a budget about priorities and ambitions of the government then it’s clear regional Victoria and sustainable regional municipalities are not part of either.

“There is little or no new investment beyond the status quo for better regional roads, for more affordable homes in the regions, and for transformative community infrastructure to support the liveability regional Victorians deserve.

“The budget is about what the government chooses to fund, and beyond basic obligations, regional Victoria has been forgotten.”

Roads funding still nowhere near enough

The billion-dollar allocation for road maintenance reflects existing spend rather than new investment and remains nowhere near enough to address the declining condition of regional roads.

Without a serious funding uplift – starting around $500 million more each year – regional roads will continue to fall behind.

RCV is calling for a $2 billion regional roads package over four years, on top of existing funding, to make roads safe and reliable.

Transport divide deepening cost-of-living pressures

The budget fails to address the growing gap between metropolitan and regional transport investment, with recent projects highlighting a clear imbalance. 

Billions for Melbourne’s tunnels and rail loops – but regional transport is still stuck in the past.Free public transport only eases cost of living pressures if you’ve got a public transport system that’s connected and has capacity – and that’s simply not the reality in regional Victoria. In some of our cities, bus networks haven’t been reviewed for decades. In some cases, passengers can’t even catch a local bus to the train station.

So regional Victorians remain heavily reliant on vehicles, leaving them exposed to rising fuel costs. And those costs don’t stop at the regional boundary – they flow through to every kitchen table, adding cost of living pressures to families right across Victoria.

Regional investment gap widening

Scrapping the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (RJIF) in 2023 left a significant gap in regional economic policy, with major projects stalled and opportunities for Commonwealth co-investment drying up.

Projects that would create jobs, drive growth and improve liveability are simply not getting off the ground.

RCV is calling for a $1 billion Regional Fund to fill that gap – supporting enabling infrastructure to unlock housing, build the local workforce and deliver the liveability assets regional communities need.

Our cities are ready to help meet Victoria’s 2051 housing targets – but we can’t do it without investment in the basics.

That means roads, water, sewerage and power to unlock land, as well as the planners, engineers and builders needed to deliver new homes. It also means backing the projects communities deserve – sporting grounds, aquatic centres and community hubs that make Victoria’s regional cities great places to live.

Time to back regional Victoria

In the lead up to the state election RCV will continue its efforts to secure commitment to $3 billion regional investment, including the $1 billion Regional Fund and $2 billion regional roads package, to support growth, improve liveability and strengthen the state’s economy.

“The message from this budget to regional communities is do more with less,” Cr Blain said.

 

One new bus route for regional cities

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MEDIA RELEASE

28 April 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) says today’s $100 million announcement regarding statewide bus investment delivers just one new route across Victoria’s 10 regional cities – in Geelong – highlighting the need for a broader regional focus.

RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain said every new bus route was important, but warned that without serious investment in regional bus services, people had no choice but to rely on their cars regardless of how cheap public transport is.

“Currently, regional Victorians are effectively subsidising free public transport for Melbourne networks, while being left with services that are less reliable, less connected and underinvested,” Cr Blain said.

“For many people in regional areas, public transport simply isn’t a viable option for getting to work, school or daily life.

“Local bus networks in most regional cities have not been reviewed in more than 15 years, exacerbating the lack the coverage, frequency and integration needed to support growing populations and modern commuting patterns.”

With regional cities expected to accommodate significant population growth by 2051 as part of the Victorian Government’s housing targets, RCV has consistently called for a more demand-driven approach to planning local bus services, to ensure new and growing communities are supported with timely public transport.

“Regional Victoria has a critical role to play in the state’s future growth, and coordinated investment in transport and infrastructure will be essential to getting this right,” Cr Blain said.

RCV also noted the importance of aligning increased bus services with improvements to regional roads.

“Bus drivers and passengers rely on safe, well-maintained roads every day. As services expand, it’s important that road infrastructure keeps pace,” Cr Blain said.

Earlier this month, RCV launched its election campaign advocacy including a $2 billion regional roads package to restore the safety, reliability and productivity of the network.

Cr Blain said the proposed roads investment package is above and beyond existing funding, to deliver an additional $500 million per year over four years to properly address the backlog of roads maintenance and stabilise the regional network.

“Regional Victorians deserve bus services and roads that are fit for purpose.”

 

RCV: Nowhere near enough for regional roads fix

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27 April 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) said the Victorian Government’s funds for roads maintenance in the 2026–27 State Budget reflects growing pressure to act on the deteriorating condition of regional roads.

RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain said the reported $1bn funding falls well short of what is needed to fix a network that is failing regional families, communities, businesses and industries every day.

“RCV has been pushing hard for a serious uplift in roads funding, and these reports show that pressure is being heard,” Cr Blain said.

“But let’s be clear: around $1 billion is just a band-aid on a bullet hole.”

The reported commitment, a slight increase from last year’s $976 million allocation, includes funding for resurfacing roads, fixing potholes, maintaining bridges and delivering emergency repairs, with around 70 per cent expected to be directed to regional Victoria.

Cr Blain said that while regional investment is welcome, the scale of the problem requires far more than another patch-up program.

“Most of our regional arterial roads are reaching the end of their design life. They don’t just need patching, they need rebuilding.

“This is what happens when you keep putting band-aids on roads that are structurally failing. It’s more expensive in the long run, and it’s putting safety and productivity at risk right now.”

Earlier this month, RCV launched its election campaign advocacy including a $2 billion regional roads package to restore the safety, reliability and productivity of the network.

Cr Blain said the proposed package is above and beyond existing funding, delivering an additional $500 million per year over four years to properly address the backlog and stabilise the network.

“This isn’t about small top ups to existing budgets, it’s about recognising the scale of the problem and funding it accordingly.

“And that’s just a start on the level of investment required to move from short-term fixes to long-term solutions.”

That call was reinforced through a Regional Roads Roundtable, bringing together leaders from freight, agriculture, tourism and local government, who collectively warned that the current state of regional roads is unsustainable.

Roundtable participants highlighted worsening safety risks, rising costs for freight and businesses, and growing impacts on regional communities and liveability.

“There is no debate anymore, every sector is saying the same thing. The network is under strain, and the consequences are being felt right across the economy,” Cr Blain said.

“Regional roads carry the freight that keeps Victoria moving. They connect workers to jobs, families to services, and visitors to destinations. When they fail, the whole state pays the price.”

Cr Blain said RCV would continue to work constructively with all parties in the lead up to the Victorian election, but would not back away from calling for the level of investment required over the next term of government.

“Regional Victoria deserves roads that are fit for purpose. We’ve seen hundreds of billions poured into metro transport projects while our regional roads deteriorate.

“It’s time to stop patching yesterday’s roads and start building tomorrow’s network right across our state.”

 

Regional Cities Victoria Roads Roundtable

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COMMUNIQUE

17 April 2026

PHOTOGRAPH ATTACHED: L-R

Cr Thomas Prince – Ballarat Mayor, Cr Ali Cupper – Mildura Mayor, Cr Michael Gobel – Wodonga Mayor, Peter Anderson – CEO Victorian Transport Association, Charlie Thomas – CEO Victorian Farmers Federation, Cr Tracey Hargreaves – Ballarat Mayor, Nigel Powers – National Transport Research Organisation, Cr Brian Klowss – Horsham Mayor, Cr Ben Blain – Warrnambool Mayor and Chair of Regional Cities Victoria, Lisa Patroni – CEO Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Alina Hawkins – COO Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria, Cr Kate Makin – Rural Councils Victoria and Mayor of Corangamite Shire, Joel Haberfield – Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria Animal Welfare Chair.

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) convened a regional roads roundtable in Geelong this week bringing together key stakeholders from across Victoria’s transport, tourism, agriculture, freight and local government sectors.

The purpose of the roundtable was to outline RCV’s advocacy for a $2 billion regional roads package ahead of the 2026 Victorian State Election, and to facilitate a shared discussion on the condition, safety and economic importance of the regional road network.

Participants included representatives from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Rural Councils Victoria, Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, National Transport Research Organisation, Victorian Transport Association, Victorian Farmers Federation and Mayors and CEOs from Victoria’s 10 largest regional cities.

Thursday’s roundtable provided a forum to share perspectives, evidence and real-world experiences of regional road conditions, and to explore opportunities for coordinated advocacy toward greater investment in the network.

Discussion highlights:

• Widespread concern about the declining condition of regional roads, with participants citing deteriorating surfaces, potholes and structural failures across key routes.
• Strong acknowledgement of the safety implications, particularly for heavy vehicle operators, emergency responders and vulnerable road users.
• Clear evidence that poor road conditions are impacting freight efficiency, agricultural supply chains and tourism access, with flow-on effects for regional economies.
• Recognition that regional roads are also vital social connectors, enabling people to access family, community networks, education and healthcare, and to participate in activities such as regional sport and recreation.
• Recognition that current maintenance levels are insufficient to keep pace with network deterioration, leading to a growing backlog of required works.
• Discussion of the compounding impacts of recent natural disasters and increased freight volumes, accelerating wear and tear on already strained assets.

Points of consensus:

• Regional roads are critical economic and social infrastructure, supporting both productivity and community connection.
• There is an urgent need for increased and sustained investment to prevent further deterioration and escalating long-term costs.
• Safety outcomes on regional roads are unacceptable and require immediate intervention.
• Investment in regional roads delivers statewide benefits, including improved supply chains, stronger communities and more connected regions.
• A coordinated, cross-sector advocacy effort is required to ensure regional roads are prioritised in the lead-up to the state election.

Shared commitments:

• Participants agreed to support a unified advocacy approach calling for increased investment in regional roads.
• Stakeholders committed to sharing available data, case studies and evidence to strengthen the case for funding.
• Agreement to continue engagement and collaboration beyond the roundtable to maintain momentum.
• A shared intent to elevate community awareness of both the safety risks and the social and economic impacts of declining road conditions.

Comments from RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain, Mayor of Warrnambool:

“Regional roads are a safety and productivity issue – potholes and declining asset condition are putting lives at risk and impacting the economic drivers that underpin freight, agriculture and tourism.

This is also about regional people and connection – families, communities and local sport. For many regional Victorians, safe access to everyday life depends entirely on the roads they travel.

Right now, too many regional Victorians can’t rely on the roads they need to get to work, school or sport safely.

We heard loud and clear from industry, and our communities every other day, that the condition of our roads are dangerous and holding regional Victoria back.

A $2 billion regional roads package over four years is an essential down payment on safety and connectivity for economic growth.

This is not just a regional issue – it’s a statewide economic imperative. Investing in regional roads means stronger supply chains, safer commutes and a more productive Victoria.

This roundtable showed there is strong alignment across sectors. We are united in calling for the investment needed to restore confidence in our regional road network.”

 

RCV launches $3bn campaign for regional growth ahead of election

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16 April 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) will today formally launch its state election advocacy campaign, calling for a $1 billion Regional Fund and a $2 billion Regional Roads Package to secure the future of regional Victoria.

The campaign launch comes as regional leaders, industry stakeholders and media gather in Geelong for a joint event with the Rural Press Club of Victoria.

Chair Cr Ben Blain said RCV’s advocacy was about matching investment to the scale of growth happening across regional Victoria.

“Regional Victoria is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to population growth – but we’re being asked to do it without the investment to match,” Cr Blain said.

“We’ve got the plans, we’ve got the land, and we’ve got the ambition but without infrastructure funding, we’ll struggle to turn strong regional growth into something we can actually sustain.”

RCV’s call for a $1 billion Regional Fund follows the Victorian Government’s decision to discontinue the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund in 2023, leaving a significant gap in regional development funding.

The previous program supported more than 1,000 projects and helped create around 13,000 jobs across regional Victoria.

“When the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund was scrapped, it didn’t just remove funding – it left a gaping hole in economic policy for the regions,” Cr Blain said.

“Right now, there is no dedicated pipeline for the kind of investment that brings jobs, unlocks housing and supports projects of scale for growing communities.”

The proposed Regional Fund would not only support essential infrastructure, housing development and workforce capability – helping cities meet 2051 housing targets – but also co-fund the large transformational projects that regional communities deserve.

Alongside this, RCV is calling for a $2 billion Regional Roads Package over four years to address the deteriorated regional network.

“Regional roads are critical to freight, agriculture, tourism and everyday life, and right now they’re in dangerous disrepair,” Cr Blain said.

“Our roads carry more than vehicles – they carry our economy but most importantly our loved ones.”

The roads package would target both local and state-controlled roads, improving safety, restoring productivity and reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Cr Blain said RCV’s advocacy priorities were essential to making sure regional Victoria can keep up with the pace of its own growth.

“A $1 billion Regional Fund and a $2 billion roads package are not nice-to-haves – they’re the foundation for safe, sustainable growth.”

 

Free public transport highlights deeper transport inequities for regional Victoria

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30 March 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) Chair Cr Ben Blain, Mayor of Warrnambool, has welcomed efforts to ease pressure on households through free public transport in April, but says the announcement exposes a deeper and long-standing inequity for regional communities.

“We hope this measure helps stabilise fuel supply because for regional communities, businesses and families, reliable access to fuel is not optional, it’s essential,” Cr Blain said.

“But this announcement also highlights a hard truth: regional Victorians are being left behind when it comes to transport investment.”

Cr Blain said that while public transport will be free across the state, many regional communities will see little benefit due to networks that are not fit for purpose.

“Regional Victorians will be effectively subsidising free public transport for Melbourne, while being left with services that are less reliable, less connected and underinvested,” he said.

“For many people in regional areas, public transport simply isn’t a viable option for getting to work, school or daily life.”

Local bus networks in most regional cities have not been reviewed in more than 15 years, exacerbating the lack the coverage, frequency and integration needed to support growing populations and modern commuting patterns.

“Free fares are not the issue, the network is. Without serious investment in regional bus services, people will continue to rely on their cars, regardless of whether public transport is free.”

Cr Blain also noted that regional rail services, with low-cost fares, are frequently operating at capacity.

“Making services free without increasing capacity risks worsening overcrowding rather than improving access,” Cr Blain said.

These public transport challenges reflect a broader pattern of underinvestment across regional infrastructure.

“Just as regional public transport has been left behind, our regional roads have also been allowed to deteriorate after years of neglect,” Cr Blain said.

“This is not just a transport issue, it’s a productivity, cost-of-living and equity issue for regional Victoria.”

Cr Blain said the current situation should act as a catalyst for more meaningful reform.

“We appreciate all short-term efforts to safeguard fuel supplies, but if the Government is serious about supporting regional growth and easing cost-of-living pressures, it must commit to long-term investment in regional transport – both public and roads – that is fit for purpose, reliable and built for the future of our cities.”