A $2-billion Regional Roads Package, over four years, to tackle dangerous deterioration, reduce fatalities, and fix freight and tourism links is also at the forefront of RCV’s priorities.
RCV has also asked for tax reforms and relief to ease cost-shifts and unfair levies such as the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, and support for resilience, including ongoing drought relief and ‘building back better’ during disaster recovery.
RCV chair Shane Sali, mayor of Greater Shepparton, said regional communities watched billions of dollars being directed to metropolitan projects while regional funds were cut.
“Regional Victoria is not asking for special treatment, it is asking for investment that matches its contribution to the state. We are asking for the essentials,” he said.
“Every Victorian dollar invested in the regions works hard to unlock housing, create even more jobs, and ease the pressure on Melbourne – but we cannot do this alone.” A year out from the Victorian state election, Cr Sali said the upcoming Budget was a chance for both parties to reset its relationship with regional Victoria.
“This coming Budget should be a turning point. A renewed commitment through a $1-billion Regional Fund and a $2-billion Regional Roads Package will go a long way toward unlocking housing supply, making our roads safer, and restoring confidence that regional Victoria matters,” he said.
Earlier this month, Horsham Rural City Council announced its top five priority projects on its wishlist ahead of next year’s state election.
The council will seek State Government funding pledges to upgrade Horsham CBD security cameras; Horsham Aerodrome improvements; build a community facility at Laharum’s Cameron Oval; Horsham railway corridor revitalisation; and strengthen bridges for an increased number of A-Double trucks.
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The Victorian Farmers Federation, VFF, is reminding all potential candidates to consider the enormous role rural communities play in the state and the farmers who helped communities thrive.
“Victorian farms are the most productive in our nation, nearly eight times more productive than the national average,” VFF president Brett Hosking said.
“We contribute $20-billion to the local economy and indirectly employ more than 150,000 people. Imagine what that could become with some forward thinking and investment in the right places.
“Removing the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, development that puts food and fibre production first, restoring our roads and freight networks, tackling rural crime and ensuring our communities and families have access to services to help them succeed are great places to start.”
Mr Hosking said the introduction of the ESVF was devastating for farmers.
“This is a huge cash-grab imposed on farming businesses and it will amount to tens-of-thousands-of-dollars stripped from farmers and communities. We must see it scrapped,” he said.
“In every corner of Victoria, the state of the roads, concerns regarding new mines and energy infrastructure and spiralling on-farm crime, including the theft of livestock and equipment and even farm invasions are huge issues.
“Regional Victoria matters. It’s home to 1.6-million people, more than the population of Adelaide.
“The genuine lack of future-focused investment into our industry and communities is a major factor to why we’re seeing massive service holes, such as childcare services.”
Mr Hosking said the next 12 months represented a golden opportunity to use Victoria’s agriculture industry and regional communities as a vehicle for growth.
“Victoria has a mountain of challenges and our agricultural sector has the potential to grow, expand, and increase our economic impact on the state whilst improving sustainability and liability for all Victorians,” he said.
“Our farmers are world-class producers supplying markets that are hungry for high-quality Victorian food and fibre right around the globe.
“With the right policy settings and investment, our farmers can do what they do best and we can grow our reputation as Australia’s rural and agricultural economic powerhouse.
“It’s time for every political party to step up.”
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