Wednesday 16 November 2016
Managing Victoria’s population growth is the biggest challenge facing Victoria today according to The Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh in conjunction with Leader of The Liberals Matthew Guy yesterday launched the Victorian Population Policy Taskforce which highlights the need to regionalize Victoria’s growth and not just focus on Melbourne alone.
Mr Walsh said the Liberal Nationals vision for Victoria is a state of cities not a city state.
“Victoria is growing at an unprecedented rate – over 100 000 people a year and 92 000 of them will call Melbourne home.
“We need to regionalize growth and ensure equity of jobs and opportunity for all Victorians ” he said.
The Victorian Population Policy Taskforce will be chaired by the Liberal Member for Kew Tim Smith with The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy as vice-chair.
It will be holding forums across the state to hear innovative solutions and fresh ideas from regional people and stakeholders.
“Through policies targeting taxation planning and incentives to attract businesses and jobs to country areas vastly improved transport infrastructure and better provision of law enforcement and other essential services all of Victoria would be able to reap the economic and livability benefits of a growing population ” Mr Walsh said.
The Taskforce members and further details about how you can have your say can be found on the www.vicpopulation.com.au website.
“I encourage everyone who values all that is good about country life to take the time to read the document and have an input.
“If the growth is managed responsibility the opportunities it can bring to country Victoria are undeniable ” he said.