RCV Federal platform launches today

Rural Councils Victoria is today (4 April 2022) launching the RCV Federal Election Platform.

The virtual launch takes place today at 4pm at this link.

A copy of RCV’s Federal Election Platform is available at this link.

“Rural Councils Victoria is calling on the next Federal Government to invest in a range of sectors that are vital for the future prosperity of rural Victorians and for the continued liveability of rural areas,” RCV Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said.

Homes

• Double the National Housing Infrastructure Finance Corporation funding to $2 billion.
• Establish grants so rural areas can address housing infrastructure barriers.

Roads

• Increase Roads to Recovery funding to $800 million per annum.
• Instigate a Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.
• Increase the Federal Bridges renewal program.

Aged Care

• Reform pricing of the Commonwealth Home Care Packages.
• Introduce a rural building program for older rural Victorians
• Create a capital matching scheme for in the construction of aged care facilities.

Emergency Management

• Provide greater funding for councils to prepare staff, communities and facilities for emergencies.
• Ensure greater grant funding for mitigation and preparation activity for councils from the National Recovery and Resilience Agency.
• Commit to mitigation, climate resilience and natural disaster risk reduction measures.

Support rural tourism

• Provide grants for tourism-related infrastructure upgrades, sponsorship and support for rural events.
• Create a domestic rural Victorian tourism campaign funded by Tourism Australia.

Support rural councils

• Extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program for rural communities.
• Top up Financial Assistance Grants to rural councils.

Digital connectivity

• Provide fixed line broadband access to all towns with 300 or more premises.
• Eliminate mobile blackspots in rural Victoria.

Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said: 

“We are asking all rural Victorians to tell their MPs and federal candidates what is important to them, their families and their communities.”

“We also want rural Victorians to tell their candidates that it is vital that rural Victoria gets its fair share of government investment.”

“We need investment to ensure that our roads are safe, that there is jobs growth, proper digital connectivity, support for emergency services, quality aged care and support for tourism and local councils.”

“Rural Victorians are resilient, but like all other Victorians our communities need their fair share so that those who visit or live in rural Victoria have the services they need and deserve.”