From our Chair - December 2022
Image: Cr Moira Berry, Peri Urban Councils Victoria Chair, Councillor Moorabool Shire Council
This year has been a landmark one for Peri Urban Councils Victoria, as we experienced record-breaking growth across our diverse region with COVID restrictions lifting and people prioritising lifestyle and wellbeing.
Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) continues to advocate on behalf of the growth councils immediately adjacent to Melbourne and Geelong, representing a population of over 180,000 Victorians. Our region is the fast-growing fringe that plays a dual role as Melbourne’s food bowl and a holiday playground, which places significant additional strain on roads and local infrastructure.
The Peri Urban Councils have emerged as a strong political force, as more voters move to the outer suburbs and our electoral maps change shape.
In the past twelve months we welcomed both a new Federal Government and a returned State Government, which meant a particularly busy advocacy agenda. Read more
As part of this year’s advocacy program, we developed a portfolio of policy priorities that outlines the investment needed across the region.
On the back of this, I was most pleased to see the Federal Budget including funding for digital connectivity, housing, roads and regional development. Read more
The State Election campaign also delivered for the Peri Urban region with newly-re-elected Labor Government committing to the following:
$1 billion package for regional commuters, capping the cost of a daily ticket on the regional network at $9.20 for a full fare or $4.60 for a concession;
Faster broadband for outer suburbs and regions as part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria Program including an extra 2000 km of fibre rolled out over the next three years;
$50 million to build, upgrade and renovate new community infrastructure for multicultural and multi-faith communities;
$42 million to install 100 neighbourhood batteries across Victoria.
Given the extraordinary population pressures our member councils are experiencing, PUCV engaged Hansen Partnership to help our region improve the way growth is planned and managed.
The aim of this project was to identify critical planning issues associated with managing urban development in Peri Urban areas and to find solutions to improve the way in which urban growth is planned, managed and funded. I am pleased to say that we are in the process of finalising these recommendations and I look forward to sharing more about this innovative work early next year.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the returning local Members of the Victorian Parliament:
Ms Micheala Settle MP - Member for Eureka and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Agriculture;
Mr Richard Riordan MP - Member for Polwarth and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Housing and Resources; and
Ms Jordan Crugnale MP - Member for Bass.
I would also like to extend a warm invitation to all incoming Cabinet to visit the Peri Urban region, particularly:
The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP - Premier of Victoria;
The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP - Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Suburban Rail Loop and Commonwealth Games Delivery;
The Hon. Melissa Horne MP - Minister for Casino, Gaming, Liquor Regulation, Local Government, Ports, Freight, Roads and Road Safety;
The Hon. Harriet Shing MLC - Minister for Water, Regional Development and Equality;
The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP - Minister for Planning and Outdoor Recreation; and
Hon. Ros Spence MP - Minister for Suburban Development, Prevention of Family Violence and Community Sport.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge the work of our Chair throughout the first half of 2022, Cr Brett Tessari, along with the entire 2022 Board for their unwavering commitment and dedication on behalf of the people of the Peri Urban region.
Thank you to Cr Libby Stapleton, Cr Gavin Gamble and Cr Brett Tessari for your valued commitment and contribution to developing the Peri Urban region. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
I would like to give a warm welcome to incoming Board members Cr Liz Pattison - Mayor, Surf Coast Shire Council; Cr Brett Cunningham - Mayor, Golden Plains Shire Council and Cr Michael Whelan - Mayor, Bass Coast Shire Council. We look forward to working with you to further develop highly liveable and affordable alternatives to metropolitan Melbourne.
Looking ahead, the Board and I have a strong agenda for 2023, aimed at delivering improvements in placemaking, transport, digital connectivity and job creation.
Cr Moira Berry
Chair, Peri Urban Councils Victoria
Councillor, Moorabool Shire Council