PUCV Welcomes Federal Budget
Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) have welcomed the release of the Albanese Government's first Budget, which includes new funding programs that will benefit the peri urban region.
PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry particularly welcomed two new funding programs, the Growing Regions Program and the Precincts and Partnerships Program, as well as additional funding for telecommunications, housing and roads.
Key initiatives announced that are important to the peri urban region include:
Regional Funding Programs
Two new regional programs totalling $1 billion:
Growing Regions Program: new opportunities for regional local councils and not-for-profit organisations through an annual open, competitive grants process; and
Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: to support community and place-based investment in rural and regional Australia, through both a competitive grants program and collaborative partnerships program.
These programs will replace the Building Better Regions Fund (round 6 projects will not be funded).
Roads
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund: $250 million for Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to support local councils.
Road Safety Program: $3 billion (total nationwide) to continue through to mid-2025.
Zero Emissions
Powering the Regions Fund: (from 2022–23) with $1.9 billion allocated to assist industries, regional Australia and communities with the transition to net zero emissions.
Digital Connectivity
Peri Urban Mobile Program: $39.1 million to expand the peri urban mobile program, helping communities on the peri-urban fringe stay connected and access vital information during natural disasters and emergencies;
NBN Upgrades: 660 extra homes in regional Australia will receive full fibre upgrades;
Mobile Base Stations: $400 million (over 5 years from 2022–23) to support the roll out of mobile base stations to improve highway and underserviced community mobile coverage;
Regional Connectivity Program: $200 million (over 5 years from 2022–23) to fund the delivery of telecommunications infrastructure to improve digital connectivity in regional, rural and remote Australia; and
Mobile Black Spots Program: $40 million (over 3 years from 2022–23) to implement commitments for new mobile infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and reception quality across Australia.
Skills and Training
Vocational Education and Training: $921.7 million (over 5 years from 2022–23) to address skills shortages including providing 480,000 fee-free Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and vocational education places in industries and regions with skills shortages.
Disaster and Resilience
Resilience State Government: $200 million per year (from 2023–24) to co-contribute in support of resilience projects nominated by the state and territory governments to strengthen Australia’s disaster readiness and resilience; and
Resilience Local Government: $30.4 million in 2022–23 to implement disaster resilience initiatives across 30 local government areas.
Regional Health(specific to the regions)
Increasing local care options: $143.3 million (over 4 years) to support access to healthcare in rural and regional areas by investing in primary care services, training, workforce incentives and trials for innovative models of care.
Regional Housing
Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: 10,000 new homeowners each year supported to buy a home.
National Reconstruction
National Reconstruction Fund: $15 billion to finance projects that expand our industrial base, diversify our economy, create sustainable, well-paid jobs, and grow our regional centres.
Co-investments in 7 priority areas: resources; agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors; transport; medical science; renewables and low emission technologies; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.