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Peri Urban Councils unite to address housing, infrastructure and growth challenges in fast-growing regions like Gippsland

Peri Urban councils will meet in Canberra to unite on housing, infrastructure, and growth challenges, aiming to form a stronger voice and advocate for funding to support their rapidly expanding communities.

By news@gippsland - 19th June 2025 - Back to News

Peri Urban councils from around Australia will meet in Canberra next week to discuss the high demand for housing in their rapidly growing municipalities. Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) Chair Cr Moira Berry will host a special roundtable of local government leaders from growing peri urban communities which are located between capital cities and rural areas.

Peri Urban Councils Victoria Chair Cr Moira Berry will host a roundtable of local government leaders from peri urban areas across Australia

Stronger united voice

Cr Berry said, "The meeting will look at ways our Peri Urban municipalities can work together to create a stronger, united voice on what our communities need to grow. Our communities fall in a policy and funding grey area and because of this we often compete against larger, better resourced councils for support," Cr Berry said.

"By working together, we can help the government better understand the needs of our communities and also advocate for the things we need to grow. Our highest priorities are housing and liveability infrastructure. The Albanese government has been clear that it wants to build more homes, more quickly and we want to work with them to realise that objective," Cr Berry said.

Infrastructure enables growth

In Victoria, Peri Urban areas are among the fastest growing regions in Australia and new figures show net migration to regional Australia is now 40 per cent higher than the pre-COVID average. Cr Berry said PUCV met with Albanese government's ministers in February to discuss government support:

• Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King
• Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain
• Minister for Housing Clare O'Neil

"Unless we get funding to build critical infrastructure, such as roads, power and water, we cannot get land ready for more housing and the housing crisis will continue. Our members want to be part of the solution to the housing crisis and grow sustainably, while protecting valuable agricultural land and the character of our townships," Cr Berry said.

Collaborating for growth

Cr Berry added, "Peri urban councils in other states also need government support to provide more housing, whether that's to meet demand from FI-FO, seasonal or temporary workers, interstate migration or city residents seeking a better lifestyle beyond the city fringe," Cr Berry said.

A Memorandum of Understanding detailing how the municipalities may work together will be discussed at the roundtable meeting. The meeting has been scheduled to coincide with Australia's largest annual gathering of local government leaders, the National General Assembly of Local Government.

Pictures from Peri Urban Councils website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com