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Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions

Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.

By news@gippsland - 25th September 2025 - Back to News

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) has renewed calls for government investment in infrastructure as a new report recommends two in five new homes built in Australia be located in the regions. The Regional Australia Institute's (RAI) Answering the Call for Regional Housing report has recommended the Federal Government's National Housing Accord incorporate a target for regional Australia of 40 percent of the national goal, or 480,000 homes. The accord aims to construct 1.2 million dwellings nationally over five years to 2029.

Peri Urban Councils Victoria Chair Cr Moira Berry says peri urban municipalities want to help solve the housing crisis, but need government assistance to open more land for development

Addressing growth pressures

PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry has welcomed the RAI report as it stepped out the complexity of building homes outside metropolitan areas, particularly the cost of developing land for future liveable communities.

"The report recommends the federal and state governments increase funding for enabling infrastructure to open more land for housing developments, with specific funding programs for the regions in recognition of significant need and to address specific challenges including high building costs and worker shortages."

"Just like in regional areas, more and more people are choosing to make their home in peri urban areas, attracted by the relaxed lifestyle and more affordable housing within easy reach of the city. The growing popularity of our municipalities is putting more pressure on our infrastructure and services, and fuelling demand for housing," Cr Berry said.

Backing growth sustainably

Cr Berry said a PUCV delegation would go to Canberra next month to meet with federal government decision makers, including Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King. "Peri urban municipalities want to be part of the solution to the housing crisis. We can help to meet the demand for more affordable homes by opening more land for development," Cr Berry said.

"We do need government investment in infrastructure so we can meet this demand in a timely manner and ensure the growth of our communities is sustainable and protects valuable agricultural land and the unique character of our towns. We also want to provide the facilities and services - such as community hubs and sports grounds, transport and telecommunications - that growing communities need and expect," Cr Berry said.

Boosting Peri-Urban

PUCV has two key tasks of state and federal governments to help its councils meet housing targets. They are:

• $230 million Capital Grants Fund to support liveability and amenity projects in peri urban communities
• $90 million Future Fund with a loan capacity for peri urban councils to borrow against Developer Contribution Plan agreements to pay for enabling infrastructure, such as roads and essential services (including water and power)

Cr Berry said member municipalities also wanted to work with the federal and state governments to agree on a definition of the term 'peri urban'. "Peri urban areas that bridge the divide between metro and regional areas are often classified as regional Australia - and that's the case in the RAI report."

Defining Peri Urban

Cr Berry added, "While public debate has focused on regional and metropolitan areas, periurban areas are expanding more quickly than regional areas. Their needs risk getting lost or overlooked in the policy debate, despite their position on the frontline of the housing crisis."

"We want to ensure the unique needs of peri urban municipalities and the challenges they face are recognised and reflected in government policy. That's how we can ensure our communities are supported as they undergo this period of rapid development. Population growth is welcome, but it can't be sustained and our communities won't remain desirable and liveable without government support," Cr Berry concluded.

Pictures from Peri Urban Councils Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
  A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks.
• Matt Canavan warns Australia is sleepwalking towards food crisis as population growth outpaces domestic food production
  Matt Canavan has warned Australia is sleepwalking into a food security crisis, with population growth outpacing food production. He says projected shortages could affect pork, butter, eggs, apples, chicken and rice by 2040.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• Foster CFA volunteers await new station funding despite site and lease arrangements already being in place
  Foster CFA volunteers continue waiting for a new station, with a site and long-term lease secured. Danny O’Brien is calling for government funding to begin construction.
• Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
  Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
• East Gippsland Council advocates National Sovereign Wealth Fund to deliver long-term regional benefits from resource revenues
  East Gippsland Council will advocate for a national Sovereign Wealth Fund funded by resource revenues, supporting long-term regional investment, infrastructure, resilience and intergenerational benefits while reducing reliance on competitive grants.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
  Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages.
• Meet the Makers connects local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland and other council updates
  Meet the Makers will connect Bass Coast and South Gippsland producers, makers and hospitality businesses for networking, collaboration and new opportunities.
• East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
  East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community.
• Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
  Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027.
• East Gippsland Council welcomes Nationals’ pledge for new Lakes Entrance CFA Station after years of advocacy for improved emergency services
  East Gippsland Council has welcomed The Nationals’ pledge for a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, addressing outdated facilities, improving emergency response capabilities and supporting volunteer firefighters after more than 20 years of advocacy.
• Liberals and Nationals pledge forest restoration, fuel reduction, bushfire preparedness and regional job support across Victoria
  The Liberals and Nationals propose restoring active forest management, doubling planned burns, treating more public land, expanding firebreaks and restoring 5,000 hectares annually to reduce bushfire risks and support regional timber jobs.
• East Gippsland's new disability network brings diverse community voices together to help shape council decisions and services
  East Gippsland’s new Disability Network has attracted 33 expressions of interest, bringing together people with disability, carers, families and sector representatives to help shape Council decisions and improve accessibility.
• Bass Coast Council launches mobile business pilot, creating new trading opportunities across six locations
  Bass Coast Council is inviting mobile businesses to apply for a 12-month trading pilot across six locations in Phillip Island, Anderson and Inverloch, with applications closing 27 November 2026.