RURAL Councils Victoria called for investment in rural communities when it launched its election platform in Daylesford.
The platform calls on political parties, election candidates and the next State Government to commit to investing in rural Victoria to ensure that the whole Victorian economy remains strong.
“Rural Victoria is the engine room of the state’s economy,” chair Mary-Ann Brown said, ahead of the forum at the Daylesford Town Hall on September 2.
“Rural Victorians and rural communities provide the majority of the agricultural and food produce that feeds Australia and brings in billions in much needed export dollars.
“To continue delivering for Victoria and Australia – and to ensure produce and products continue to get to market – rural Victoria needs investment in roads, essential services, housing for workers, emergency management and rural tourism.
“Ongoing support for the work of RCV is also necessary so that we can continue to provide the targeted, trusted and well-informed research to inform State and Federal government policies.
“RCV conceives of and commissions vital research projects – such as the Rural Victoria Housing Blueprint – that brings accurate, up-to-date, and relevant data to inform government policy decisions.”
RCV has called on the next government to invigorate the Fixing Country Roads program, with $200 million over four years.
The advocacy group also wants to see a $200 million per year additional commitment over four years for Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) to implement an ongoing upgrade and maintenance program for the RRV network across rural Victoria.
Funding of $10 million per year over four years for roadside vegetation management and weed control on arterial roads is also high priority.
Other areas for funding attention:
SERVICES
A $50 million-a-year multi-year Community Services Fund for rural councils (similar to the infrastructure-based Growing Suburbs Fund available to peri-urban and growth councils), so rural councils can maintain and deliver essential services to residents.
HOUSING
Expand the Big Housing Build funding to dedicate $1.25 billion for housing construction projects specifically for rural Victoria.
A Windfall Gains Tax revenue sharing model where 10 per cent of state collections would be returned to rural communities in the form of housing supply assistance, reflecting rural Victoria’s share of the state’s population or Windfall Gains Tax reductions for rural areas.
Establish a Rural Worker Housing program of $1 billion over four years to provide recurrent payments to entities that build, own and operate rental housing to mitigate skill shortages in rural Victoria.
Change the planning system to streamline rezoning processes for quicker approval for land development.
Initiate a grant program of $50 million over four years to address higher infrastructure costs and infrastructure barriers in rural Victoria.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Greater funding for rural councils for preparation, mitigation and management of natural disasters and bio-hazards (i.e foot and mouth, feral pests). Funding should include doubling the Municipal Emergency Response Plan to $11 million with a larger share for councils at greater risk.
Greater collaboration by the State, with the Federal Government, to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (2020) for an integrated approach between all three levels of government.
Local government and local communities be consulted and meaningfully involved in the development and implementation of a multi-disciplinary, decentralised approach for natural resource management policy to support the local management of natural resources in coastal and mountain areas.
RURAL TOURISM
A dedicated rural tourism infrastructure fund for rural councils to apply for infrastructure-related upgrades to key tourist visitation sites.
ONGOING FUNDING FOR RCV
A multi-year funding agreement ($500,000 per annum over four years) for Rural Councils Victoria.
