Regional Councils Victoria has joined with 30 peak bodies from across Australia to create a new body to advocate for rural, regional and remote communities.
Rural Councils Victoria Deputy Chair Cr Laura Binks said:
“RCV is a founding member of the National Alliance for Regionalisation which will bring issues facing Victoria’s rural communities to national attention, particularly in the halls of power in Canberra.”
“The Alliance provides rural Victorians with another strong voice and valuable avenue to advocate for what our communities need, including housing, skills, health care, aged care, digital connectivity, roads and much more.”
Rural Councils Victoria is the only rural Victoria representative and the only Victoria-based local government representative group among the Alliance’s founding members.
The Alliance, which was launched in Canberra on Tuesday 21 March 2023, is an initiative of the Regional Australia Institute (RAI).
RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the Alliance is the first of its kind in Australia, spanning business, health, education, infrastructure and environment.
RAI CEO Ms Ritchie said: “While each organisation has its individual policy priorities, it will work collectively to progress issues of commonality – such as regional housing, worker shortages, regional education, and migration.”
Rural Councils Victoria Deputy Chair Cr Laura Binks said:
“RCV is proud to be a founding member of the National Alliance for Regionalisation. We look forward to working together to ensure that rural, remote and regional communities get what they need to thrive.”
The founding members of National Alliance for Regionalisation are: