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Labor has no plan for regional Victoria’s populationRead more of the details why the government has no population plan or strategy for Victoria. By news@gippsland - 16th May 2016 - Back to News The city-centric Andrews Labor Government has no policy to manage or grow the population of regional Victoria.
During a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing today, Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
was forced to admit the government has no population plan or strategy for Victoria.
This comes at a time when Melbourne’s population is bursting at the seams.
The Liberal-Nationals Coalition is strongly focused on managing Victoria’s population and encouraging more people to move to regional areas. The Coalition established a Victorian Population Taskforce just last month.
Comments from Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh:
"Managing population growth is one of the biggest challenges we face in Victoria. There are parts of rural and regional Victoria that are struggling with population decline, while Melbourne is absolutely bursting at the seams.
"But this city-centric Labor Government has no plan to attract more people to our rural and regional areas."
Comments from Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Population Policy Tim Smith:
"Every year, Victoria’s population grows by around 100,000 people and 92 per cent of that growth is in Greater Melbourne.
"The Liberal-Nationals Coalition sees population growth as an opportunity, especially in regional Victoria, and we are working on a plan to incentivise population growth in the regions. Meanwhile the Andrews Labor Government has no strategy to deal with this critical challenge to Melbourne and regional Victoria."
Media contact:Sarah O’Connor 0432 074 888 sarah.oconnor@opposition.vic.gov.au
Leader of The Nationals
Deputy Leader of the Coalition
Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Water
State Member for Murray Plains
Peter Walsh MP
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch. - 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 endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience. - Gippsland Water celebrates National Water Week poster winners, honouring young regional artists’ achievements
Gippsland Water announced its National Water Week poster winners, congratulating students for colourful submissions. Four placed in the state competition, with Heyfield Primary School winning $500 for STEM or sustainability projects. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety. - Darren Chester praises TAFE Gippsland and BRHS partnership for training local students to strengthen regional health workforce
Darren Chester praised TAFE Gippsland and BRHS for training local students, highlighting regional partnerships as key to addressing health workforce shortages and encouraging young people to pursue local health careers. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government veterans medal review limit, undermining Tribunal independence
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned Labor's legislation imposing a 20-year limit on veterans' medal reviews, arguing it undermines the Tribunal's independence and disenfranchises veterans and families seeking fair recognition. - Community invited to join Project Reference Group shaping East Gippsland’s future aquatic strategy and facilities planning
East Gippsland community members are invited to join a Project Reference Group to help shape the new Aquatic Strategy, guiding future facility planning, investment, and service delivery across the shire. - Baw Baw Shire to gain two new kindergartens located at the Neerim South Primary School and Warragul Regional College opening in 2028
Baw Baw Shire will gain two new kindergartens at Neerim South and Warragul, opening in 2028, easing local demand and supporting families as part of the State’s Best Start reforms. - Omeo celebrates opening of 114 km world-class mountain bike park set to transform regional adventure tourism
Omeo has opened a $10 million, 114-kilometre mountain bike park, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and celebrating new streetscape and flood-recovery works that strengthen the town’s recreation spaces and future growth. - Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, bike parking, greenery, and Victorian government investment
Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, signage, parking, bike facilities, greenery, and $200,000 Victorian government investment, creating jobs and enhancing experiences for locals and visitors. - Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (Glen Eira Leisure) claim fourth consecutive victory at 2025 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard challenge
Glen Eira Leisure won the 2025 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard Challenge for the fourth consecutive year, excelling in rescue, emergency response, and team-based competitions against 23 Victorian aquatic teams.
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