Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the federal budget, especially measures to ease the cost of living on rural communities.
Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said:
“RCV welcome measures to ease cost of living pressures for our communities but the government needs to ensure that many of the initiatives announced flow out to rural areas.
“It is good to see the federal government investing in road infrastructure.
“However, it is disappointing to see that in Victoria that investment is metropolitan focused.
“Rural and regional roads are in a shocking state and in urgent need of upgrades and in many cases emergency repairs.
“RCV welcomes the continuation of the Roads to Recovery Program set to increase to $1 billion and the increase to $200 million per year for Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. Local governments, especially small rural councils, need as much money as possible to maintain and repair local roads.
“While we welcome the increase over the forward estimates to$1 billion we must say that more road investment is needed now.”
Rural Councils Victoria also welcome the federal investment in rail:
“Rural communities urgently need more housing and RCV welcomes the additional $1 billion to build more homes.
“We look forward to working with state and federal governments to ensure that rural Victoria gets its fair share and that some of these much-needed homes are built in rural communities.
“The RCV Rural Housing Action plan outlines the steps that need to be taken to get houses built – including the upgrading and building of enabling infrastructure like sewerage.
“RCV is pleased to see that some of this funding will go towards to delivering this essential infrastructure.
“A $40 million investment in wifi is welcome as it should help improve connectivity in remote areas, which is vitally important in the digital age.
“We also welcome the $831.7 million to enhance water security and help farmers and rural communities prepare for future droughts and reduce agricultural emissions.
“We welcome the $227.0 million to increase support for clinics in regional and rural areas.”