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Peri Urban Councils Victoria supports inquiry's call for state funds to address Gippsland's rapid growth

PUCV welcomes a parliamentary inquiry recommendation for government funding to support peri urban growth, addressing infrastructure needs and housing demands in rapidly expanding communities near Melbourne.

By news@gippsland - 3rd December 2024 - Back to News

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) has welcomed a key recommendation from a parliamentary inquiry that the State Government establish funds to support rapidly growing peri urban communities. The findings of the Legislative Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee's inquiry into local government funding and services was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The recommendation supports PUCV's call for two funds: a Future Fund for catalyst infrastructure and a Capital Grants Fund for liveability projects

Managing rapid growth

PUCV Chair Mark Dupe welcomed the committee's acknowledgement of the financial challenges in peri urban areas caused by rapid population growth. "Our municipalities form the gateway to regional Victoria and are growing quickly because they are close to Melbourne, but offer a relaxed, affordable lifestyle," Mr Dupe said.

"More people are working from home or seeking to find a more affordable community, many are choosing to make a new life in a peri urban area. The secret is out and demand for housing is growing," Mr Dupe said.

PUCV members have forecast their communities will grow by as much as 50 per cent over the next 15 years, and will require an additional 70,000 houses for around 180,000 new residents. They have also forecasted an immediate need for $230 million for essential infrastructure like drainage, utilities and roads to enable 40,000 new homes to be built.

Boosting growth support

The recommendation aligns with calls from Peri Urban Councils of Victoria to establish two key new funds:

• Future Fund: a loan capacity to allowing councils to borrow against existing developer contributions plans agreements to build catalyst infrastructure to support housing developments
• Capital Grants Fund: for Peri Urban communities to facilitate the delivery of liveability infrastructure as peri urban communities grow

Among the findings of the Local Government Funding and Services Inquiry was some councils, particularly those in peri urban areas, were required to manage fast growth without the levels of financial support previously provided to interface councils by the Victorian Government under the Growing Suburbs Fund.

Funding for growth

Mr Dupe said, "Peri urban councils struggle to meet the cost of getting land development ready for housing developments due to their smaller rate bases, limited borrowing capacity and greater responsibility for essential infrastructure."

"These are challenges metropolitan councils do not have and peri urban councils need additional government funding support. This recommendation aligns with a Peri Urban Councils Victoria call to better fund our growing communities and we ask the government to address this finding in the 2025 budget process," Mr Dupe concluded.

Pictures from Peri Urban Councils Victoria ( PUCV ) website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities.
• Darren Chester welcomes St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to parliament house for insight into Australian democracy
  Darren Chester welcomed St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to Parliament House, discussing democracy, civic engagement, and his role as Gippsland's representative while commending their enthusiasm and interest in national issues.
• Darren Chester welcomes Aqua Energy redevelopment completion with modern aquatic, fitness, community facilities
  Darren Chester welcomed the upcoming completion of Aqua Energy's multi-million-dollar redevelopment in Sale, delivering modern pools and accessible facilities, boosting community health, sport, tourism, jobs, and long-term regional wellbeing.
• Darren Chester welcomes $2.7M investment in cutting-edge MRI technology at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
  A $2.7 million upgrade at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service includes Australia's first MRI unit of its kind, improving diagnosis accuracy, patient comfort, and access to affordable, high-quality local healthcare.
• Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
  Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease.
• Darren Chester congratulates Infusa Distillery founders for showcasing Gippsland's produce, driving growth in local food and beverage industry
  Darren Chester congratulated Infusa Distillery founders Stu and Jo Taylor for their award-winning spirits, local partnerships, and contribution to Gippsland's food and beverage industry, praising their innovation, growth, and regional pride.
• Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities.
• Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
  Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences.
• Melina Bath condemns Labor government for recycled road funding spin and failure to deliver real investment
  Melina Bath has accused the Allan government of recycling old road funding announcements, labelling them propaganda and demanding genuine investment to address the worsening condition of regional Victoria's neglected roads.
• Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options.
• Tim Bull says East Gippsland faces a housing crisis, with social homes declining despite population growth
  Victoria’s social housing crisis deepens as Labor policies drive rental providers away, reducing stock. Tim Bull warns record waiting lists and rising homelessness demand urgent government action.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Danny O'Brien commends South Gippsland Shire for securing Nyora transport study funding, urges further state investment
  Danny O'Brien has praised South Gippsland Shire Council for securing state funding for the Nyora Transport Study, urging the Allan Labor Government to follow through with real investment and road upgrades.