Peri Urban Councils Victoria

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Peri Urban Councils Victoria

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) is the leader in advocating for Victorian peri urban support and solutions at the local, state and national level.

07/05/2026

Cost-of-living relief is welcome in the Victoria's State Budget 2026-2027, but only if communities can access it.

PUCV supports measures to ease household pressure, but for many peri-urban areas, gaps in transport, housing, healthcare and connectivity mean the benefits won’t be felt equally.

While there are positive steps in buses, roads and housing infrastructure, investment still falls short of what’s needed to support fast-growing communities.

For more on Peri Urban Council Victoria's priorities please see here
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6261f5fbaaad4a55854ad492/t/6996ab24e90b944ecf63f74f/1771481892990/1802+Peri+Urban+Councils+Victoria+Pre+Budget+Submission+2026-27.pdf

Moira Berry for Moorabool
Moorabool Shire Council
Cr Owen Sharkey - Golden Plains Shire
Golden Plains Shire Council
Kate Wilson - East Ward Baw Baw Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Brett Tessari for Bass
Bass Coast Shire Council
Libby Stapleton, Surf Coast
Surf Coast Shire Council

04/05/2026

Congratulations to Moorabool Shire Council on the continued progress of their new Community and Multi Sports Hub at the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve 👏

This important project is supported by:
Federal Government – Thriving Suburbs Program: $4,000,000
State Government – Growing Suburbs Fund: $3,290,000
Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (Female Friendly Facilities): $1,000,000
Changing Places: $180,000
Moorabool Shire Council (remaining contribution)

This is exactly the kind of investment growing peri-urban communities need. As populations continue to expand across regional and fringe areas, infrastructure must keep pace.

Stronger, sustained funding is critical to ensure councils in these growth corridors can deliver the facilities their communities rely on. This aligns with the priorities outlined by Peri Urban Councils Victoria, advocating for equitable infrastructure investment to support liveability, inclusion, and community wellbeing.

Sam Rae
Michaela Settle MP

Golden Plains Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council

30/04/2026

Congratulations to Cr Owen Sharkey - Golden Plains Shire and Golden Plains Shire Council on securing $1.8 million through the Black Spots Program to support the upgrade of Steiglitz–She Oaks Road.

Catherine King
Baw Baw Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E8nS9eixS/

29/04/2026

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) was in Victorian Parliament late last month advocating for the needs of our growing peri-urban communities.

Our State Delegation met with key decision-makers across government and opposition, including:
- The Hon Nick Staikos MP;
- Representatives from the Office of the Premier Jacinta Allan;
- Mr Danny O'Brien MP;
- Mr Evan Mulholland MP;
- Mr Richard Riordan MP;
- Mr Wayne Farnham MPyne Farnham MP;
- Mr David Southwick MPthwick MP;
- Ms Michaela Settle MP; and
- Advisors from the Office of the Hon Harriet Shing MP.

Across these meetings, a clear message emerged: growth in peri-urban areas is outpacing the infrastructure needed to support it. Housing delivery depends on enabling infrastructure, while public transport, digital connectivity and liveability investments are struggling to keep up with demand.

There was strong recognition that peri-urban councils face unique pressures, managing both rural and urban growth, and require clearer policy recognition and more tailored funding pathways.

PUCV looks forward to continuing these conversations later in the year when the delegation returns to Victorian Parliament.

27/04/2026

Recent commentary from the Australian Productivity Commission highlights that Australia’s housing challenges are “too big to ignore,” supply is failing to keep pace with demand and affordability continuing to worsen.

Peri-urban areas are on the frontline of growth, offering the space and opportunity to deliver the housing Australia needs. But right now, delivery is being held back by:
- A lack of funding to get land ready for more homes;
- Community infrastructure not keeping pace with growth; and
- Complex and slow planning systems that do not recognise how fast peri urban communities are growing.

Without action, housing supply will continue to lag demand and productivity will continue to suffer.

Peri-urban priorities are clear:
- More funding to get land ready for housing
- More investment in the facilities that continue to make peri urban great places to live

If we’re serious about productivity, we must be serious about where and how we grow.

Peri-urban Australia is ready, the Victorian and Australian Government's need to act fast and get our communities moving.

To read more on PUCV's Housing please see here:
https://periurban.org.au/media/housing-pressures-undermining-treasurers-productivity-push-in-peri-urban-victoria

Moira Berry for Moorabool
Cr Owen Sharkey - Golden Plains Shire
Libby Stapleton, Surf Coast
Cr. Rochelle Halstead
Kate Wilson - East Ward Baw Baw Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council

26/04/2026

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) is highlighting to the State Government in its recent 2026 27 Pre Budget Submission that active transport infrastructure is essential to making public transport genuinely accessible in peri~urban communities.
Where footpaths, shared paths and safe crossings are missing, residents are effectively prevented from reaching public transport, even when services exist. This suppresses patronage, reinforces car dependency and reduces the overall value of public transport investment.

PUCV is calling for further funding for the Active Transport Fund, following strong demand in the 2024–25 to 2028–29 round and with no future tranches currently scheduled. Many projects that would directly improve access to public transport in growing peri-urban areas remain unfunded. Targeted walking and cycling links, particularly for first and last-mile journeys, will unlock access to existing and improved services, connect residents to town centres and employment, and support housing growth and workforce participation while maximising the return on broader transport investments.

More on PUCV’s public transport policy priorities can be read in PUCV’s 2026 2027 Pre Budget Submission available here.
https://periurban.org.au/submissions/pre-budget-submission-20262027

Moorabool Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council

24/04/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought valiantly for our freedoms and way of life.

We pay tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit.

As we gather for dawn services, marches, and moments of silence, let us reflect on the sacrifices made by these remarkable individuals.

Their legacy lives on in our hearts, reminding us of the true meaning of bravery and unity.

Lest we forget.

Moorabool Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council

23/04/2026

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) has called on the State Government to prioritise an uplift in bus services across peri-urban communities, where some of Victoria’s fastest-growing populations still lack convenient access to public transport.

PUCV Chair Moira Berry for Moorabool has highlighted in recent media that new housing developments continue to be approved without reliable public transport options, and has reiterated the need for holistic, integrated planning.

Buses remain the fastest and most cost-effective way to improve mobility across dispersed peri-urban settlements. More frequent services, better coverage and coordinated timetables would strengthen connections to regional rail, improve access to services within and between townships, support local employment in sectors such as health, hospitality, retail and manufacturing, and help ease congestion on major corridors.

More on PUCV’s public transport policy priorities can be read in PUCV’s 2026 2027 Pre Budget Submission available here.
https://periurban.org.au/submissions/pre-budget-submission-20262027

Moorabool Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Cr Owen Sharkey - Golden Plains Shire
Libby Stapleton, Surf Coast
Kate Wilson - East Ward Baw Baw Shire Council
Cr. Rochelle Halstead

22/04/2026

Peri Urban Councils Victoria (PUCV) Chair Moira Berry for Moorabool recently addressed media about the urgent need for the State government to address public transport in peri urban Victoria, with limited services facing further pressure from a fast-growing population.

Residents interviewed by media expressed frustration about being forced to use their cars at a time of escalating fuel costs because of a lack of options.

PUCV data indicates that 93 per cent of locals rely a car to get to work.

More on PUCV’s public transport policy priorities can be read in PUCV’s 2026 2027 Pre Budget Submission available here.
https://periurban.org.au/submissions/pre-budget-submission-20262027

Moorabool Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council

08/04/2026

PUCV members met with State Government representatives at Spring Street last week, raising urgent concerns over poor public transport options forcing residents into costly car dependence during a time of rising fuel prices.

While the State Government’s free public transport initiative was welcomed, members highlighted that it will only ease cost-of-living pressures if a resident can access a bus or train and yet the stark reality for many peri urban families is there is no viable alternative to driving a car. 93% of peri urban locals relying on a car to get to work.

With new housing growth continuing to expand beyond existing bus coverage and rail capacity constraints, the mismatch between growth and infrastructure is now impossible to ignore.

PUCV is calling for action to match growth with real transport choices, including:
• More frequent and reliable bus services
• Better alignment between bus and rail timetables
• Integrated, long‑term transport planning that keeps pace with population growth

Read more about Peri Urban Councils Victoria Pre-Budget Submission 2026-27 via the below link:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6261f5fbaaad4a55854ad492/t/6996ab24e90b944ecf63f74f/1771481892990/1802+Peri+Urban+Councils+Victoria+Pre+Budget+Submission+2026-27.pdf

Picture courtesy of Golden Plains Shire Council

Cr Owen Sharkey - Golden Plains Shire
Moira Berry for Moorabool
Moorabool Shire Council
Libby Stapleton, Surf Coast
Surf Coast Shire Council
Cr. Rochelle Halstead
Bass Coast Shire Council
Kate Wilson - East Ward Baw Baw Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council

31/03/2026

The Federal Government’s fuel excise cut will provide short term relief for households in peri-urban growth areas.

But lower fuel costs won’t fix limited public transport, congestion or infrastructure lag.

As communities grow, State and Federal Governments must invest in bus, rail and housing-enabling infrastructure to keep pace with growth and ensure fair access to jobs, services and housing.

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/fuel-excise-halved-three-months

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Telephone

+61422280456

Website

https://periurban.org.au/

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