Peri Urban Councils take growing issues to Canberra

Above from left to right: Deputy Chair of PUCV Cr Moira Berry, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King MP, and PUCV Chair Cr Michael Leaney.

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) have taken a leadership role on growth, visiting the nation's capital to advocate for a better deal for Victoria's fast-growing fringe.
 
PUCV Chair Cr Michael Leaney said the fast-growing peri urban communities were feeling the pressures of population growth and government investment was urgently required to ease the squeeze.
 
“PUCV have had a series of high-level meetings at Parliament House, advocating that peri urban communities need to be front and centre when the Government develops its new National Urban Policy,” Cr Leaney said. 
 
“Earlier this year National Cabinet agreed to develop a shared vision to ensure sustainable growth in cities via a new National Urban Policy, however because our communities are part regional and part urban, there is the risk we will fall through the cracks,” Cr Leaney explained.
 
“The peri urban communities are highly desirable places to live so of course people are flocking to our towns to get their slice of lifestyle,” Cr Leaney said.
 
“During our delegation we spoke to Federal leaders about getting the right investment into housing, digital connectivity and roads as well as liveability infrastructure such as pools, arts and sporting centres as they think through the development of this new urban policy” Cr Leaney explained.

PUCV met with the following representatives in Canberra:
 

• Hon Catherine King MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government;

• Hon Kristy McBain MP Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories;

• Senator the Hon Carol Brown Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport;

• Senator the Hon Anthony Chisolm Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development;

• Office of the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Small Business;

• Hon Darren Chester MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Regional Education and Local Government and Territories; 

• Ms Libby Coker MP, Member for Corangamite; and

• Mr Russell Broadbent MP, Federal Member for Monash; 

Concerns associated with growth were shared by peri urban communities around the nation when PUCV recently convened a Peri Urban Roundtable with counterparts from other states including Wollondilly Shire Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, City of Cockburn and Town of Gawler Council to discuss common issues impacting the peri urban areas around Australia.  Conversations with these councils will continue to ensure that peri urban community voices and issues can be highlighted in Canberra.
 
PUCV recently commissioned a specialist consultancy to undertake ground-breaking new analysis into the urban growth issues in the peri region, and took the opportunity at Parliament House to advocate to Government for clear action on the report’s recommendations.
 
“Proactive investment in the peri urban region is essential to manage urban sprawl and maintain the lifestyle and character of these growing communities” Cr Leaney concluded.