Regional mayors sign to continue advocacy

MAYORS of the Regional Cities Victoria alliance signed a three-year memorandum of understanding at State Parliament last week.

The signing of the MoU represents the commitment of the Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga municipalities to work together to boost livability, growth, and State and Federal funding in their regions.

A statement from the RCV group said some key areas of focus ahead of the Federal election in 2025 and the State election in 2026 are housing affordability and shortages, bringing new industries to regional cities, and ensuring services and infrastructure keep up with population growth.

“Now, more than ever, the voices of Victoria’s regional cities must ring loud and clear,” Regional Cities Victoria chair and Greater Shepparton mayor Cr Shane Sali said.

“Thoughtful investments are imperative to fortify our long-term economic prosperity.”

RCV will aim to continue advocacy to multiple levels of governments, industry leaders and stakeholders to boost the 10 regional cities in the alliance which drive about 10 per cent of the state’s economic activity and are home to more-than 800,000 people.

“Impactful advocacy has already seen a groundbreaking $600 million injection into broadband and 5G infrastructure in regional Victoria, much-needed Commonwealth funding for vital utilities to unlock housing opportunities and enhance affordability, boosted regional tourism and events, and attracted new businesses and employment opportunities to regional centres,” a statement from RCV said.