Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) has elected a new team to head the organisation for the coming year.
Moorabool Shire councillor Moira Berry was elected chair, while Bass Coast deputy mayor Cr Brett Tessari was chosen to fill the position of deputy chair on Friday.
Cr Berry said the new leadership team would focus on advocating for issues impacting peri urban communities ahead of the Victorian and federal budgets and the federal election due by May this year.
“This is an important time for us to champion the interests of our member councils by taking our message to Canberra and Spring Street,” Cr Berry said.
“That is why I am honoured to be elected as chair, in partnership with my colleagues we will continue to advocate for the investment our members need to grow and prosper,” Cr Berry said.
The municipalities of Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Moorabool, Baw Baw and Bass Coast have a combined population of nearly 200,000. By 2041, that number is expected to reach 513,000.
Cr Tessari said peri urban councils were facing a period of enormous change.
“Our peri urban councils are on the front line of the next wave of growth in Victoria, but we need government funding for essential infrastructure, such as roads, water and power, to ensure we can meet the accelerated demand for housing,” Cr Tessari said.
“These issues will be the focus of our conversations as we meet with state and federal leaders over the coming months,” Cr Tessari said.
In its pre-budget submission to both the state and federal governments, PUCV has recommended two funds be set up to support infrastructure planning and development in high-growth peri urban areas:
● a state government-administered Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Future Fund that allows peri urban municipalities to borrow against DCP agreements to fund early-stage infrastructure projects (such as water, sewerage and drainage), and
● a federally-administered Capital Investment Fund that provides grants to peri urban councils for community infrastructure (such as sports facilities, libraries and community centres).
Cr Berry and Cr Tessari will lead a PUCV delegation to Canberra this week where they will meet with government ministers and shadow ministers to discuss the two funds and advocate for government investment.
