Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed some relief for struggling families in the Victorian State Budget but seeks more support for other priorities that are important to rural Victorian residents.
Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said:
“The Government’s sensible approach to this budget leaves a gap in funding. With limited programs to support other upgrades it will be local councils that will be left to fill the gap in the provision of community services.”
“The budget is aimed at regional cities and metropolitan Melbourne. We had hoped it would offer more support for rural communities.
RCV welcomes initiatives aimed at rural communities including:
Road funding needs a fresh approach
“We welcome the statewide spend of $964 million on road maintenance – in particular the $62 million for upgrades to regional roads – but this is not enough to address the significant problems across the rural road network.
“There is more to do to make rural roads fit for purpose and growth.
“It is becoming increasingly apparent that the current way we are funding roads, particularly in rural and regional areas, no longer works.
“Road funding shouldn’t be piecemeal. Roads are vital to the economy and to communities and are too often an afterthought.
“We need new thinking around roads funding to create innovative ways to fund road building and road repair. Rural councils in particular need more certainty around road repair funding from State and Federal governments.
“Our communities’ rate bases are too small to maintain roads to the standards
needed to ensure they are capable of handling heavy freight and keep vehicle
occupants safe.”