Regional cities call for big election commitments

THE peak body for Victoria’s biggest regional centres is urging major commitments towards infrastructure, roads and digital connectivity in the lead-up to the May 21 federal election.

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) 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.”

RCV’s advocacy priorities for 2022-2025 list four pillars for regional growth and recovery: economic growth, connectivity, liveability and sustainability.

Projects the body is seeking support for include:

• $800 million over four years in the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund
• $40 million over four years for the Regional Events Fund; continuation of the new Regional Community Events Fund; and grants for business events and incentive programs held in regional cities
• $10 million to provide a Regional Transport Plan to design ways to improve inter-city transport connectivity, and safe and fast transport links between regional cities
• Free Wi-Fi in all regional cities and on all regional trains, and
• $20 million to establish a Climate Change Response Partnership Fund to provide support for councils to help local communities reduce emissions and understand and transition to the future.

RCV comprises the state’s 10 largest regional cities, including Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

The 10 cities are collectively 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,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

“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.

“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.”