About RCV

About RCV

We represent Victoria's rural communities, supporting and promoting strong, liveable, prosperous rural areas.

Our 34 member councils have a combined population of about 822,000 people — that's one in nine Victorians.

Rural councils manage 79 per cent of Victoria’s land area. Our economies and communities are critical to the liveability of Victoria. They are also key to a thriving state economy.

RCV is recognised as the voice for rural Victoria.

In practice, this means that:

  • We are a key body influencing government policy and projects for rural Victoria
  • We provide a rural lens on the development and implementation of policy
  • We increase the understanding, recognition, and funding outcomes for rural councils across Victoria
  • We increase the capacity of rural councils to deliver positive outcomes for their communities
  • We are a strong advocate on issues affecting rural councils and communities

Our History

RCV was established in 2005 to coordinate the network of rural councils across Victoria in their efforts to better understand, articulate and address the issues affecting them.

The vision then was to create rural communities with sustainable economies contributing to the health, character and liveability of Victoria, and this vision has strengthened in the years since.

State Government funding was first provided to RCV in 2006 to help it communicate rural issues to government departments and determine priority projects. In December 2009 rural councils agreed to contribute to sustaining the network through an annual membership contribution.

In March 2011 the State Government announced funding of $3.3 million for RCV, to be delivered over four years under the Networked Rural Councils Program (NRCP). A further $3.5 million was committed to RCV to continue this work under the auspices of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).

In 2016, RCV became an Incorporated Association operating independently, with a three year funding commitment of $3.5 million from Regional Development Victoria (RDV). We continue to work closely with MAV, RDV, Local Government Victoria (LGV) and other state and federal agencies as we deliver our program of work.

Today RCV is the peak body representing and advocating for Victoria’s rural councils. Further information on the RCV Governance structure and processes can be found in the Rules of Incorporation.

Key documents

Annual Reports

Each year RCV prepares and publishes an annual report on the proceedings, achievements and other details of RCV's work and position in the previous financial year. The latest annual report, previous years' annual reports and the RCV Rules of Incorporation are available in the links below.

Strategic Plan

In 2020 Rural Councils Victoria adopted its Strategic Plan for 2020-2024. This document was reviewed in late 2021 and again in late 2022 to evolve with the changing landscape. The latest version, adopted by the Committee in February 2023 can be found in the link below.

RCV Committee

Rural Councils Victoria is governed by a Committee comprising two representatives from each local government region. For each region, one representative is an elected Councilor, and the other is a Council officer. Elected for a two-year term in January 2025 is the RCV Chair, Cr Rob Amos and Deputy Chair Cr Kate Makin.

Rural North West Region

This region is currently represented by Cr Stuart King, Councillor at Swan Hill Rural City, and RCV Treasurer Tammy Smith, CEO at Yarriambiack Shire Council.

Rural North East Region

This region is currently represented by Cr Sophie Price, Mayor of Indigo Shire and Juliana Phelps, CEO of Towong Shire Council.

Rural North Central Region

This region is currently represented by RCV Chair Cr Rob Amos, Campaspe Shire Council, and Darren Fuzzard, CEO of Mount Alexander Shire Council.

Rural South Central Region

This region is currently represented by Cr Tanya Kehoe, Councillor at Pyrenees Shire Council, and Bradley Thomas CEO of Hepburn Shire Council and RCV Secretary.

Rural South West Region

This region is currently represented by RCV Deputy Chair Cr Kate Makin, Mayor at Corangamite Shire Council, and Helen Havercroft, CEO of Glenelg Shire Council.

Rural South East Region

This region is currently represented by Cr Catherine Bannerman, Councillor at Wellington Shire Council, and Fiona Wiegall, CEO of East Gippsland Shire Council. 

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