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Moira Berry elected as chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, advocating for infrastructure investment

Peri Urban Councils Victoria elected Cr Moira Berry as chair and Cr Brett Tessari as deputy. They'll advocate for infrastructure funding, addressing rapid growth challenges in peri urban areas ahead of state and federal budgets.

By news@gippsland - 7th February 2025 - Back to News

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) has elected a new team to head the organisation for the coming year. The Moorabool Shire Councillor Moira Berry was elected chair, while Bass Coast Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Tessari was chosen to fill the position of deputy chair. The pair were selected at PUCV's board meeting held in Melbourne today.

New Peri Urban Councils Victoria Chair Cr Moira Berry (right) from Moorabool Shire Council is pictured with her deputy, Cr Brett Tessari, the Deputy Mayor at Bass Coast Shire

Advocating peri-urban growth

Cr Berry said the new leadership team would focus on advocating for issues impacting peri urban communities ahead of the Victorian and federal budgets and the federal election due by May this year. "This is an important time for us to champion the interests of our member councils by taking our message to Canberra and Spring Street," Cr Berry said.

"That is why I am honoured to be elected as chair, in partnership with my colleagues we will continue to advocate for the investment our members need to grow and prosper," Cr Berry said. The municipalities of Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Moorabool, Baw Baw and Bass Coast have a combined population of nearly 200,000. By 2041, that number is expected to reach 513,000.

Cr Tessari said peri urban councils were facing a period of enormous change. "Our peri-urban councils are on the front line of the next wave of growth in Victoria, but we need government funding for essential infrastructure, such as roads, water and power, to ensure we can meet the accelerated demand for housing. These issues will be the focus of our conversations as we meet with state and federal leaders over the coming months," Cr Tessari said.

PUCV advocates for funding

In its pre-budget submission to both the state and federal governments, PUCV has recommended two funds be set up to support infrastructure planning and development in high-growth peri urban areas:

• State government-administered Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Future Fund that allows peri urban municipalities to borrow against DCP agreements to fund early-stage infrastructure projects (such as water, sewerage and drainage)
• Federally-administered Capital Investment Fund that provides grants to peri-urban councils for community infrastructure (such as sports facilities, libraries and community centres)

Cr Berry and Cr Tessari will lead a PUCV delegation to Canberra next week where they will meet with government ministers and shadow ministers to discuss the two funds and advocate for government investment.

Pictures from Peri Urban Councils Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com