RCV welcomes Coalition’s commitment to work with regional councils

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MEDIA RELEASE

27 February 2026

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has welcomed the Victorian Coalition’s first housing policy announcement, particularly its commitment to work directly with councils to build new homes and support sustainable growth across regional Victoria.

RCV Chair Cr Ben Blain, Mayor of Warrnambool, said recognising councils as partners in housing delivery was essential to restoring confidence in home ownership.

“Housing delivery requires genuine partnership with regional councils who understand their communities,” Cr Blain said.

However, Cr Blain warned any housing ambition must be matched with infrastructure investment.

“Regional councils have land ready to unlock for housing development, but without investment in enabling and trunk infrastructure – water, sewerage, power, roads and drainage – homes become less affordable,” Cr Blain said.

“That is why RCV is calling for a dedicated $1 billion Regional Fund to underwrite the infrastructure that gets homes built faster, invests in the liveability regional Victorians deserve, and supports long-term economic growth.”

Cr Blain said a dedicated regional fund would also return investment for community infrastructure such as creative, sporting and transport precincts that underpin liveability, and help fast-track job-creating precincts that have stalled since the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund was scrapped in 2023 by the Victorian Government, leaving a significant gap in regional development policy.

“The discontinuation of the RJIF took a proven economic driver out of local economies,” Cr Blain said.

“RCV is seeking practical, funded commitments that can be implemented quickly and deliver measurable benefits for economic growth that benefits the entire state.”