State delegation overview
Peri Urban Councils Victoria returned to Spring Street in October 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.
The delegation’s meeting schedule included appointments with
Planning Minister, the Hon Sonya Kilkenny;
Minister for Housing and Building, the Hon Harriet Shing;
Local Government Minister, the Hon Nick Staikos;
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, the Hon Michaela Settle;
the Office of the Premier;
then Opposition Leader, the Hon Brad Battin;
then Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing Richard Riordan;
Shadow Local Government Minister Bev McArthur; and
Member for Narracan Wayne Farnham.
With less than a year to go before next year’s State Election at the time of its visit, the delegation welcomed the opportunity to discuss its policy proposals in person with Members of Parliament. Its proposals include:
a Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Future Fund that allows peri urban municipalities to support 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.
The delegation also advocated for an agreed definition of the term ‘peri urban’ reflected in government policy, so the needs of these unique communities are recognised in government policy.
From left to right: Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Adam McSwain, Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Greg Box, PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry from Moorabool Shire Council, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, Surf Coast Shire Council Government Relations Manager Darryn Chiller (back), Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Cr Kate Wilson, Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden and Golden Plains Shire Council Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey .
From left to right: Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden, PUCV Deputy Chair and Bass Coast Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Tessari, Surf Coast Shire Council Government Relations Manager Darryn Chiller, Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Greg Box, Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Cr Kate Wilson, Local Government Minister Nick Staikos, PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry from Moorabool Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Adam McSwain.
From left to right: Shadow Minister for Local Government Bev McArthur, PUCV Chair Cr Moira Berry from Moorabool Shire Council, then Leader of the Liberal Party and of the Opposition Brad Battin, Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Cr Kate Wilson, Golden Plains Shire Council Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Adam McSwain.