Shaping regional growth over 25 years

REGIONAL Cities Victoria (RCV) recently convened a strategic forum at Parliament House to shape a unified vision for Victoria’s growth over the next twenty-five years.

In attendance were representatives from infrastructure industry organisations including the Urban Development Institute of Australia, Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Victoria, Property Council of Australia (Victoria Division), and the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

There was a specific focus on ensuring regional cities are part of the state’s long-term economic, housing and infrastructure agenda.

RCV chair and mayor of Greater Shepparton Cr Shane Sali said the forum was a powerful demonstration of what is possible when regional leaders and the housing sector come together with a shared vision.

“We know that the future of Victoria depends on strong, confident, connected regional cities and today we took an important step toward that future,” Cr Sali said.

“Our cities are ready to grow, and we welcome the industry’s insights to making that a reality.

“Our collaboration reaffirms that regional Victoria isn’t just a beneficiary of the state’s growth, it is central to how that growth will be delivered.

“With the right investment regional cities are ready to grow and ready to go – and industry stands with us.”

Industry leaders and RCV agreed regional cities can play a central role in accommodating population growth sustainably and affordably with the right investment.

Discussion identified various challenges including the shortage of skilled workers and the need for worker accommodation.

The RCV and industry representatives determined shared commitments for 2025 to 2026 including the continuation of joint advocacy efforts in the lead-up to the November 2026 Victorian election, calling for funding to ease housing pressures, and collaboration and data sharing around market trends, migration insights, and development constraints.