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Merry Christmas!
On behalf of the Rural Councils Victoria Committee, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season.
We thank you for your continued support and contribution to our very important projects and initiatives, and look forward to seeing you at one of our events in 2018.
This edition of our e-newsletter contains an update on our 2018/2019 Victorian Government Budget submission and advocacy campaign, save the dates for our April Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum and 2018 Rural Summit, and updates on a number of our key projects.
Cr Rob Gersch
Chair
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2018/2019 Victorian Government Budget Submission
One of the key roles of RCV is to ensure the significant issues facing rural Councils are considered by the Victorian Government, and addressed through appropriate policy and budget measures.
RCV has prepared a submission to the Victorian Government's 2018/2019 Budget - Liveable and sustainable rural communities: Driving growth and prosperity for Victoria.
The submission seeks funding and policy support to address four key priority areas:
- Provide new funding for critical community infrastructure projects that will enhance and improve the liveability and sustainability of rural Victoria, as well a greater emphasis placed on liveability in Regional Development Victoria’s funding criteria
- Create a new Cabinet Minister for Rural Communities, as well as maintaining funding levels to Rural Councils Victoria to ensure equitable governing for rural communities
- Sort out the best organisation and level of government to effectively deliver and pay for services to rural communities, through a rigorous review of Local Government/ State Government service provision
- Create incentives and systems for rural councils to achieve better sustainability for their communities.
The Agenda Group has been engaged by RCV to provide strategic advocacy advice for this campaign, and the advocacy and communications campaigns to support the submission will commence in January 2018.
The budget submission will be sent to all member Councils in early January 2018.
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Save the date
Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum
Wednesday 11 April 2018
9.30am to 4pm
Zinc, Federation Square
In response to feedback we received following our October 2017 Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum, we have made some changes to the format of this event.
The longer program (9.30am to 4pm, instead of 12pm to 4pm) provides greater opportunities for networking, as well as more time to ask questions of presenters.
We will also focus on securing the attendance of Ministers and Shadow Ministers, as well as speakers who will provide updates on key Government projects (such as the review of the Local Government Act and the Rural and Regional Councils Sustainability Reform Program).
Further information will be provided in January 2018.
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Save the date
2018 Rural Summit
Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 May 2018
Lakes Entrance
Hosted by East Gippsland Shire Council
The focus of the 2018 Rural Summit will be on liveability.
Further information will be provided as the program is developed.
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Rural Population Growth Policy
The Rural Population Growth Policy is the first project to be undertaken from those identified in the Population Attraction and Retention Strategies for Rural Victorian Communities report.
Urban Enterprise has been appointed to complete this project, and the final policy is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2018.
The policy will:
- Determine drivers and barriers to population growth and economic development
- Identify a priority set of initiatives for implementation over three years
- Highlight the merits of actively supporting population growth in rural Victoria
- Be used to secure Victorian Government policy and funding to achieve the outcomes of the policy.
The key phases for developing the policy are:
- Analysis of demographic and economic trends in rural Victoria
- Cost benefit analysis of growing the population of rural Victoria to mitigate growth pressures in Greater Melbourne and regional cities
- Final report including the Rural Population Growth Policy.
IMPORTANT: A request for information has been distributed to Councils, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance with providing this information. The information provided will be critical to the understanding the population issues being faced in rural areas and the ways Councils have attempted to address these issues.
Urban Enterprise will present the policy at the April 2018 Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum.
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Rural Workforce Development Plan
The Rural Workforce Development Plan is the second project to be undertaken from those identified in the Population Attraction and Retention Strategies for Rural Victorian Communities report.
Dench McClean Carlson has been appointed to complete this project, and the final plan is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2018.
The plan will:
- Identify current and future workforce needs in rural Victoria – both in number and skills required
- Underpin promotion of current and future work related opportunities in Victoria
- Identify potential sources of workers including immigration.
The key phases for developing the plan are:
- Analysis of demographic and skills profile of rural Victorian workforce
- Understanding of current and projected workforce needs
- Potential sources for recruitment of required workers
- Effective support for business ‘start ups’ in rural Victoria
- Final report including the Rural Workforce Development Plan.
IMPORTANT: A request for information has been distributed to Councils, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance with providing this information. The information provided will be critical to the understanding the workforce issues being faced in rural areas and the ways Councils have attempted to address these issues.
Dench McClean Carlson will present the plan at the April 2018 Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum.
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Understanding Social Enterprise workshops
RCV has partnered with the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) to promote, explore and develop rural entrepreneurship and social enterprise across our rural communities.
The Understanding Social Enterprise workshops focus on developing skills and knowledge in the community to drive sustainable approaches to building economic and social capital.
The results of the workshops held in East Gippsland, Loddon, Campaspe and Corangamite have been very encouraging and with the current interest level a full schedule of workshops for 2018 is anticipated.
To register your Council's interest in a workshop contact the RCV Secretariat on (02) 6071 5100 or secretariat@ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au
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Rural Living Campaign
RCV has recently partnered with Buloke Shire Council and Yarriambiack Shire Council to form a subcommittee to progress the Rural Living Campaign.
The campaign is aimed at ensuring all Victorians have access to minimum levels of service that enable liveability, sustainability and safety.
The campaign ties in with a number of projects currently being undertaken, including the Rural and Regional Councils Sustainability Reform Program and the Regional Australia Institute's Small Town Change report.
Following the release of the Rural and Regional Councils Sustainability Reform Program report and business case, the subcommittee will reconvene to determine how it can contribute to progressing identified actions, or addressing gaps.
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