2026 Victorian Election Platform
Rural Victoria plays a vital role in the state’s economy, underpinning jobs, exports and food security, while also providing significant tourism, travel and cultural opportunities for Victorians.
But the challenges and headwinds facing rural communities are significant.
Infrastructure challenges persist. Many roads are in decay, despite sustained government investment. And population decline in some regions is hollowing out communities.
Local councils are on the frontline in rural areas, providing essential services and delivering key infrastructure projects. Our work turns towns into communities and helps sustain the high quality of life country people want.
More Victorian Government investment and support is required.
That’s why Victoria should establish a:
$1 Billion Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund.
This fund would comprise four streams designed to enhance productivity, liveability and investment.
At least 25% of the fund would be guaranteed for rural Victoria.
1. Economic development
Objective: Provide investment for rural councils and businesses to grow jobs, economic activity and local prosperity.
Examples: Precinct development plans, visitor economy projects.
2. Community wellbeing and local places renewal
Objective: Renew ageing local assets that support participation, community resilience and growth.
Examples: Community halls/precincts, aquatic renewals, parks/play, libraries multiuse pavilions with equitable access.
3. Council sustainability and system reform
Objective: Address structural funding gaps and cost pressures on rural councils
Examples: Untied/needs based support for rural service obligations, renewal co-investment and cost reduction measures consistent with prior sustainability analyses.
4. Housing supply and enabling infrastructure
Objective: Unlock rural housing with enabling infrastructure (like water, sewers and power), council developer support and risk mitigation, and deliver more rural housing capacity.
Examples: Infrastructure or capital works projects, council capacity programs, eg. Housing Brokers.
Roads
Roads funding would sit outside the proposed Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund.
RCV requests increased road funding in three priority areas:
- Increased maintenance funding
Increase the maintenance funding and standards for State owned roads across rural Victoria, addressing the diminishing quality and safety of the road network. - Roads and productive corridors
Lift freight and visitor economy performance and safety on priority corridors; address bottlenecks and ‘last mile constraints’ affecting rural competitiveness. - Act local. Extend and expand the Safe Local Roads and Streets Program. This successful $210 funding program is currently scheduled to expire in 2027.