Two days of housing talks at Spring Street
Peri Urban Councils Victoria Chair Cr Moira Berry says now is an ideal time to discuss the government support that rapidly growing peri urban municipalities need to help ease the housing crisis.
Peri Urban Councils Victoria returned to Spring Street this week to continue talks with government decision makers about how the state’s fastest growing areas can help ease the housing crisis.
Led by Chair Cr Moira Berry, the delegation met with state government ministers and shadow ministers responsible for planning, housing and building, regional development and local government, as well as Opposition members of parliament over two days of appointments.
Cr Berry said the delegation welcomed the opportunity to discuss its policy proposals in person with decision makers with little more than a year to go before the state election in November 2026.
“This is an ideal time to continue the conversations we have been having with our State Government ministers and shadow ministers,” Cr Berry said.
“This is the time when visions for our state as well as key policies are being shaped and refined. We want the needs of our rapidly growing peri urban municipalities and the important role we can play in easing the housing crisis reflected in those policies.
“Peri urban communities are on the frontline of the new wave of growth in Victoria. That’s why we are meeting with key decision makers to secure government help to open more land for housing and to fund community infrastructure,” Cr Berry said.
The delegation’s meeting schedule included appointments with the Office of the Premier, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing, Local Government Minister Nick Staikos, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Michaela Settle, Opposition Leader Brad Battin, Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing Richard Riordan, Shadow Local Government Minister Bev McArthur and Member for Narracan Wayne Farnham.
PUCV has recommended two government administered funds be set up to support infrastructure planning and development in high-growth peri urban areas. They are:
a Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Future Fund that allows peri urban municipalities to borrow against DCP agreements to fund housing infrastructure projects such as roads, water, sewerage and drainage, and
a Capital Investment Fund that provides grants to peri urban councils for community infrastructure (such as sports facilities, libraries and community centres).
Cr Berry said peri urban municipalities were the gateway between the outer suburbs of Melbourne and regional Victoria.
“We’re on the frontline of rapid population growth, but our low rate base limits our ability to fund the critical infrastructure needed to open up more space for housing,” Cr Berry.
“We want to support growth and be part of the solution to the housing crisis, but we want to do so in a way that’s sustainable and protects our valuable agricultural land and the character of our townships.
“We want to partner with government to secure investment in essential infrastructure for new housing developments, such as roads, water and power,” Cr Berry said.
“Community infrastructure, such as libraries, sporting facilities and community centres, is also essential so these new communities can prosper and remain attractive and liveable, offering the amenities that people need, expect and deserve,” Cr Berry said.
While at Spring Street, Cr Berry said the delegation also advocated for an agreed definition of the term ‘peri urban’ reflected in government policy.
“People who move to peri urban communities want to live in towns with character and a sense of place within easy reach of the city or regional centres,” Cr Berry said.
“We want the needs of these unique communities to be protected and recognised in government policy and not be lost or overlooked in the political tussle between the city and the regions,” Cr Berry said.