2023-24 Victorian Budget must focus on regional jobs, liveability, housing and planning issues

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) is calling on the Victorian Government to commit to supporting regional growth in the upcoming 2023-24 State Budget.

While the Government continues supporting regional Victoria, especially in the wake of the most recent flood disaster, significant investments are still needed across four interrelated areas to support regional growth and recovery:

• Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund

RCV Budget ask: An investment of $800 million over four years into the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund. This continuation of the fund will drive local infrastructure projects across regional Victoria, create local jobs and improve the liveability of regional cities.

RCV would also like to see the contingency allowance for regional councils on approved grants be raised from 10% to 20%. This could be trialled for two years as councils struggle to budget for everchanging costs impacted by inflation, the rising costs of construction materials, and workforce shortages.

• Housing shortages and planning issues

Housing shortages and improving planning processes are some of the most critical issues in regional Victoria. It is important that further land supply is unlocked, and local government must play its role in this. However, a lack of enabling or trunk infrastructure, particularly in greenfield ‘pioneer developments’ on the outskirts of regional cities, is ultimately deterring the development of local industry and private investment in the regions.

RCV Budget ask: Establish a $500 million Growing Regions Development Fund, to relieve the burden currently faced by ratepayers and encourage housing development in new areas. This fund can be replenished with profits derived from the soon to-be-implemented Windfall Gains Tax.

• Increase liveability in the regions

As the populations of our regional cities continue to grow, so too does the demand for improved services and amenities. Regional Victoria must meet the challenges of current growth trends with considered investment in civic, community, cultural infrastructure.

RCV Budget ask: Establish a new $200 million Regional Living Fund to invest in civic, community, and cultural infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the visitor economy. This Fund would complement other economic-focussed programs by investing in art galleries and museums; libraries; playgrounds and parklands; recreation and community health and wellbeing hubs.

• Accelerating regional mental health services

RCV Budget ask: Invest in additional acute beds and wraparound healthcare for people experiencing serious mental health and alcohol and drug issues in all regional cities. This investment in Victoria’s mental health system would build on significant investments made by the Victorian Government last year to deliver more acute beds in Shepparton and expand services at Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games legacy

The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for regional Victoria, and it is essential benefits for local communities extend well beyond the sporting competition and event period.

RCV Budget ask: RCV is seeking a commitment from the Andrews Government that the Games will create a legacy for the whole of regional Victoria, that extends beyond the five cities hosting events and creates opportunities across the State.

RCV Chair Cr Andrea Metcalf said RCV’s Budget priorities would collectively raise the liveability of regional Victoria and sustain its steady population growth it has enjoyed over the past few years.

“The pace of growth in regional Victoria has been very strong for several years now and it is vital that investment and development keeps up.

“Without continued investment in our regions, the liveability of our regional cities will falter, and our residents will not have the adequate access to housing, open spaces and parklands, and cultural and community infrastructure they expect.

“We are grateful for the Victorian Government’s continued support of regional Victoria and our members look forward to working with the State Government as we continue our growth, particularly leading into the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

Click here to read the media release.

2023-24 Victorian Budget Submission

Regional Cities Victoria 2023-24 Victorian Budget Submission

Regional Cities Victoria congratulates Andrews Government on re-election

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) congratulates Premier Daniel Andrews and the Victorian Labor Party
on their success in the 2022 state election.

RCV Chair Cr Andrea Metcalf said the re-election of the Andrews Government for a third term would
enable policy continuity for the regions at a time of great growth and development.

“Victoria’s regional cities are growing at a faster rate than metropolitan areas and the policies
Regional Cities Victoria has advocated for will ensure liveability in our regions is protected through
investment in essential services and civic infrastructure,” said Cr Metcalf.

RCV represents Victoria’s 10 biggest regional cities and called for three key priorities ahead of the 26
November election:

• A $200 million Regional Living Fund to allow cities to invest in civic, community, and cultural
infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the
visitor economy.

• A $500 million Growing Regions Development Fund to ensure utilities and services like
stormwater, sewerage, water, gas and electricity can be provided across the regions in a
timely manner.

• A ‘regional spend guarantee’, ensuring at least 20 per cent of public agency and government
entity investments are regionally based.

In the lead up to the state election, RCV met with representatives from the major parties to discuss
the concerns and priorities of regional Victoria.

Significant election commitments made by the Andrews Government, welcomed by RCV include:

• $1 billion package for the regional rail networking including cheaper fares, more VLocity
trains and extra weekend services.

• One full page of Victorian Government advertising in every regional newspaper.

• $125 million to deliver Stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Road upgrade.

RCV acknowledges the willingness of Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and Nationals Leader Peter
Walsh MP, and their parties, to engage with regional cities and discuss the RCV’s policy platform.

“We would like to congratulate former RCV Chair Cr Kim O’Keefe as the new member for Shepparton
and wish her success representing her regional community in the 60th Parliament,” Cr Metcalf said.

“We look forward to continuing our productive and robust working relationship in the next term of
the Andrews government,” Cr Metcalf concluded.

Download RCV’s media release here.

2022 State Election: The regions must be a priority for all major political parties

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) is calling for all major parties ahead of this month’s State Election to commit to deliver funding directly to regional cities to enable them to deliver improvements in their facilities and infrastructure.

In an opinion piece published today in The Weekly Times, RCV Chair Andrea Metcalf said regional cities need access to funding that can be used for their specific needs, particular as many areas recover from the devastating floods.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted during his visit to flood affected regions that the most sensible and effective delivery of grants into these areas is by providing funding directly to local governments. This ensures that, through their local representatives, communities are consulted about investment in their region,” Cr Metcalf wrote.

RCV represents Victoria’s 10 biggest regional cities and has three key priorities ahead of the 26 November election:

• A $200 million Regional Living Fund to allow cities to invest in civic, community, and cultural infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the visitor economy.

• A $500 million Growing Regions Development Fund to ensure utilities and services like stormwater, sewerage, water, gas and electricity can be provided across the regions in a timely manner.

• A ‘regional spend guarantee’, ensuring at least 20 per cent of public agency and government entity investments are regionally-based.

Cr Metcalf said RCV’s policies will protect the liveability of regional Victoria, as it experiences unprecedented growth with more than 1.5 million people now living in regional and rural communities.

“While it is fantastic that people have made the decision to move to our cities, what is key now is to invest in the amenities and facilities that will retain them,” Cr Metcalf wrote.

“State and Federal Governments cannot adopt a one size fits all approach in regional funding, and Mr Albanese is correct that local government holds the intel needed to get best value for money.

“Key infrastructure funding allocated to regional cities must reflect the specific needs of each region. What is required in Ballarat or Latrobe will inevitably be different to Warrnambool or Shepparton.”

Regional Cities Victoria comprises the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 600,000 Victorians.

Download the full media release here.

Regional Victoria set to benefit from better digital connectivity under Albanese Government’s first Federal Budget

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has welcomed measures in the Federal Budget that will deliver investment into the regions, including the $757.7 million Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

Better digital connectivity has been a long-standing priority for RCV, with many regional areas experiencing poor reception and mobile black spots.

“Regional Cities Victoria welcomes this investment into digital connectivity, as this has been a top issue for regional Victorians for years and something we have advocated strongly for,” said Chair of Regional Cities Victoria Cr Andrea Metcalf.

“Our local communities rely on good digital connectivity, and with more people moving to the regions than ever before, it is vital to improve our networks to a consistent standard.”

The Better Connectivity Plan includes $400 million to support the roll out of mobile base stations to improve highway and underservices community mobile coverage, and an extra $200 million for telecommunications infrastructure.

“We need government investment to help our regional cities grow and welcome the $5.7 billion earmarked over the next seven years for economic growth and development across regional Australia,” said Cr Metcalf.

“We welcome the commitment from the Albanese Government to invest in partnership with regional communities and we look forward to working with them to ensure a fair distribution of funds.”

Other announcements in the Federal Budget that will benefit regional Victoria include:

• Growing Regions Program and Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program – $1 billion to support community and place-based investment in rural and regional Australia
• Priority Community Infrastructure Program – $1 billion to support community infrastructure projects across Australia
• Disaster Ready Fund – $630.4 million to strengthen Australia’s resilience to disasters, including $30.4 million to implement disaster resilience initiatives across 30 local government areas
• Powering the Regions Fund – $1.9 billion allocated from the uncommitted funding from the Emissions Reduction Fund, the Climate Solutions Fund and the Safeguard Mechanism Crediting to assist industries, regional Australia and communities with the transition to net zero emissions
• Health – $143.3 million to support access to healthcare in rural and regional areas by investing in primary care services, training, workforce incentives and trials for innovative models of care.

Regional Cities Victoria comprises the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 600,000 Victorians.

“It is an exciting time for our regions and RCV will continue to advocate for regional Victoria to ensure we get our fair share of funding.” Cr Metcalf said.

Download a copy of the media release here.

RCV launches State Election platform, The time is now – Embracing our regions

Regional Cities Victoria today launches its State Election platform with three key priorities needed to build
stronger regional communities.

Regional Cities Victoria comprises the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong,
Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 800,000 Victorians.

The time is now – Embracing our regions election priorities document calls for state-wide investment in Victoria’s regions, including:

• A $500 million investment to fund enabling infrastructure in regional cities to ensure key utilities and services are provided; accelerating developments and relieving critical land and housing shortages.
• Establish a ‘regional spend guarantee’, ensuring at least 20 per cent of public agency and government entity investments are regionally-based.
• Establish a new Regional Living Fund to invest in civic, community, and cultural infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the visitor economy.

Chair of RCV and City of Greater Bendigo Mayor, Cr Andrea Metcalf, said the minimum $700 million
investment would relieve critical land and housing shortages in regional cities and enhance liveability and the visitor economy through infrastructure investments and open spaces.

“Over the past few years more Victorians are flocking to our regions than ever and setting down roots. Our election platform centres on how we will provide adequate ongoing services to our communities as they continue to grow and ensure infrastructure development keeps up with demand,” Cr Metcalf said.

Regional Victoria’s 2026 Commonwealth Games will attract a $2.6 billion investment to the regions and is
expected to create more than 7,500 jobs, however RCV has cautioned against solely focusing on the four
cities hosting events and athletes: Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.

“The legacy of the 2026 Commonwealth Games must extend beyond just the cities hosting competitions and create tourism, job and infrastructure opportunities for all regions,” Cr Metcalf added.

“A key theme in our election platform is equity of funding across regional Victoria so no cities get left behind. Our recommendation for a mandated minimum 20 per cent spend of agency funds to have a regional focus would help establish and expand the regional start-up ecosystem and strengthen local economies.”

“RCV is pleased to see the continued growth of regional Victoria these investments will showcase everything the regions have to offer and build on people’s interest to live, work and visit our communities.”

To download a copy of the RCV’s 2022 Victorian Election Priorities platform here.

Download the media release here.

2022 Victorian Election Priorities

RCV launches State Election platform – The time is now – Embracing our regions

The time is now – Embracing our regions election priorities document calls for state-wide investment in Victoria’s regions, including:

• A $500 million investment to fund enabling infrastructure in regional cities to ensure key utilities and services are provided; accelerating developments and relieving critical land and housing shortages.
• Establish a ‘regional spend guarantee’, ensuring at least 20 per cent of public agency and government entity investments are regionally-based.
• Establish a new Regional Living Fund to invest in civic, community, and cultural infrastructure and open spaces to enhance the liveability of regional cities and boost the visitor economy.
  Chair

To download a copy of the RCV’s 2022 Victorian Election Priorities platform click here

Federal Election a chance to address funding imbalance for regional Victoria

Regional Victorian communities are calling for commitments to major infrastructure, roads and digital connectivity in the lead up to the Federal Election.

Regional Cities Victoria Chair Cr Kim O’Keeffe called on every political party and candidate to recognise the role of the regions in driving the national economy, and to commit to strategic regional investment.

“The message from regional Victoria is loud and clear. Any plan to recover and rebuild after the pandemic must include strategic investment in our regions,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

“We are seeing unprecedented population shifts into regional Victoria, and we need Commonwealth policy and funding that supports sustainable growth and ensures our regions are great places to work, live, and visit.”

Regional Cities Victoria comprises the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 800,000 Victorians.

“In many areas, our communities and businesses are still waiting for the basics; safe roads and reliable internet connections. That’s why we need to see major investment into the Building Better Regions Fund and the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, as well as increased investment in digital connectivity,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

“The lack of targeted investment in regional Victoria in the 2022/23 Federal Budget was highly disappointing. Regional Cities Victoria looks forward to seeing new commitments in the coming weeks that will ensure we get a fair share of funding.

“It’s critical governments invest in growing the regions – all regions – to ensure we all thrive.” 

The full Regional Cities Victoria Advocacy Strategy 2022-2025 is available here.

Download the media release here.