Growth of regional cities tops agenda for housing industry leaders at Parliament forum 

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Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) hosts its Annual Forum at Victoria’s Parliament House tomorrow, bringing the state’s most influential housing and infrastructure stakeholders together for critical discussions on the future of growth across regional Victoria.

Industry leaders from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), Housing Industry Association (HIA), Property Council of Australia, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Infrastructure Victoria, and the Master Builders Association (MBA) will engage directly with regional city leaders on the urgent challenges and opportunities shaping regional development.

At the heart of the forum is a call for essential investment to unlock the full potential of Victoria’s regional cities. A key focus will be the economic vacuum left behind following the scrapping of the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (RJIF) – a fund that previously delivered essential investment to underwrite regional growth.

“The absence of a dedicated regional fund has created a glaring gap in Victoria’s economic development policy,” said Cr Shane Sali, Chair of Regional Cities Victoria and Mayor of Greater Shepparton.

“The RJIF helped shape the liveability and prosperity our regions are known for today and gave us the opportunity to act on the long-term priorities of our cities and the rural towns and communities they support.”

RCV’s agenda for the forum includes calls for:

• a new, fit-for-purpose regional fund to underwrite projects for growth, create jobs and pursue strategic priorities with long-term impact;
• investment in essential infrastructure (water, sewerage, power, roads, public transport) to meet demand for affordable homes in the regions and support sustainable growth of new communities; and
• workforce solutions to address critical skills shortages across planning, surveying and engineering roles within local government.

Cr Sali said the current term of government had been a turbulent time for regional Victoria with the scrapping of the RJIF, the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games, crippling drought and the ambush of the Emergency Service Volunteer Fund tax which will take another $60 million out of regional cities each year.

“As we approach the 2026 Victorian state election, our message is clear. With genuine consideration of the rural and regional context – and the right support from government – our regional cities can play a vital role in the plan for Victoria’s future,” Cr Sali said.

RCV comprises the Mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest cities in regional Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham Latrobe Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga – and advocates for policies that invest equitably and sustainably in regional cities to support a growing and prosperous Victoria.

Media: Emily Broadbent 0413 133 627.