SWAN Hill Council says the “one-size-fits-all solution” will not work for future prosperity in its submission to the State Government’s updated Plan for Victoria.
Mayor Stuart King said the plan must provide relevant weighting to the metropolitan, regional and rural communities.
The council’s submission was unanimously adopted at the August ordinary meeting.
“The development of the new state plan comes at a time when there are significant challenges being faced by all levels of government, and this only serves to highlight the need for governments and the communities they serve to work together to find solutions in order to progress our state,” Cr King said.
“Simply put, the new plan that is developed by the government must be inclusive of all parts of Victoria, leave no community behind and, importantly, recognise the differences that exist right across the state.”
The council put forward eight issues to be addressed to ensure the Swan Hill municipality and rural areas of Victoria continued to prosper, including roads and infrastructure, housing, health and food and fibre.
“Provision of roads and infrastructure that are fit-for-purpose and adapt to the changing demands placed on them to support growth of the state, including the transition to renewable energy, mineral sands mining and ensuring support of getting agricultural produce to market,” Cr King said.
“Recognition of the importance of rural Victoria in producing food and fibre for the Victorian, Australian and global markets.
“The municipality currently contributes an agricultural output of $1.5 billion to the economy, with just under 20 per cent of our workforce participating in farming.
“The provision of housing in all its forms including key workers’ accommodation, social and affordable housing is considered by council to be a top-tier priority, and as an organisation we have actively engaged with the community to determine solutions.
“Ensure liveability of rural Victoria is maintained and by prioritising support for our health services to ensure our community has access to a wide range of services with local access to a range of medical, care and preventive services for a region hosting approximately 40,000 people.”
The council said it would like to be involved in developing the First Nations component of the plan.
“Swan Hill has a significant proportion of First Nations people living within its communities (4.5 per cent) compared to the state average and is actively engaged with its First Nations community through a variety of programs and engagement,” Cr King said.
“Council has established a First Nations advisory committee which works with council on key projects and provides advice to council on matters pertaining to our First Nations community.
“Council believe they are well placed to provide further suggestions and ideas on how the new plan for Victoria can benefit our First Nations community.
“Swan Hill Rural City Council would like to provide the information for the State Government to consider when developing the new plan for Victoria, recognising that this is not an exhaustive list and there will no doubt be other factors that will need to be considered.
“Getting the balance right for all of Victoria should be the key driving force behind the State Government’s thinking.”
The council said the government must recognise the important contributions being made by rural Victoria.
“In drafting a new plan, council strongly recommends it must recognise the need to achieve a balance between metropolitan, regional and rural areas, with a stated aim of ensuring all Victorians are able to take advantage of future growth and prosperity,” Cr King said.
“There should be a willingness to explore new thinking around partnerships between government and the private sector to ensure projects proceed.
“Unlocking Victoria’s potential by enhancing planning processes or by offering up under-utilised State Government land should be seen as a priority.
“Ensuring that the new plan for the state has a level of flexibility contained in it will allow for the government to be more agile when approaching new opportunities.
“A new plan for Victoria should be a blueprint for how the whole of the state realises its potential, visionary in its thinking and committed to the delivery of results.”
