Time to cough up in the regions

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and his ministerial entourage have been on a regional roadshow to assure concerned rural communities they will not miss out because of the Commonwealth Games backflip.

The Victorian goverment is explaining the main reason they originally agreed to host the Games was to deliver lasting benefits in housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure regional communities.

Now, the Victorian Government says they will deliver a comprehensive $2 billion package to ensure regional Victoria still receives all the benefits that would have been facilitated by the Games.

The Premier and his ministers have reassured regional communities that every one of the permanent new and upgraded sporting infrastructure projects planned as part of the Games will still proceed – and all will be completed as planned, instead of building temporary features for the Games competitions.

The Premier also announced a new $1 billion Regional Housing Fund that is forecast to deliver more than 1300 new homes across regional Victoria which has been cautiously welcomed by Master Builders Victoria.

Master Builders Victoria chief executive officer Michaela Lihou said the fund could be the beacon the regional building and construction industry needed, but urged the Andrews Government to continue to explore mechanisms to strengthen the sector amid ongoing pressures and insolvencies.

“The Regional Housing Fund could be the leg up the local industry needs.

“But it’s no quick fix, as skill and labour shortages continue to plague the industry, it is vital the state government and industry continue to work together to ensure builders continue to have the capacity to get the job done.”

Mr Andrews announced the Regional Housing Fund would offer a mix of social and affordable housing across regional Victoria.

Ms Lihou said the fund offered a pipeline of work and hope for those affected by the housing crisis.

“With immigration now back to pre-pandemic levels, it is a step towards easing the social and affordable housing crisis.

“But more work will be needed to help ensure builders can continue to provide homes for all Victorians.

“The promise to push ahead with planned infrastructure projects despite the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games also offered the industry security for the future.”