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small business Community facilities | November 15, 2018

Liberal Nationals will invest $1 billion to grow all regional Victoria

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will establish a $1 billion Decentralisation Fund to deliver better infrastructure and create the jobs required to help regional Victoria thrive.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said Victoria’s population growth was out of control, with Melbourne growing at 2,700 people per week but only 20,000 people moving to regional Victoria in the last 12 months.

“This massive investment will go directly into rural and regional communities and will include the return of the Putting Locals First Fund to help put local communities in control of their future by funding smaller local projects that support economic and social development,” Ms Kealy said.

“Daniel Andrews scrapped this grassroots funding and has abandoned Regional Victoria with his city-centric agenda.

“Local people know their community best and a Liberal Nationals Government will bring back this Fund to support local ideas and drive local development in line with the Liberal National’s vision to decentralise our state.

“Our state is in desperate need of a bold vision to make sure all of our communities grow – not just Melbourne – and unlike Labor, the Liberal Nationals have a plan to make this happen.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh said the $1 billion Decentralisation Fund would support business growth and local job creation, enable communities to attract and retain new residents and raise education outcomes for the youngest Victorians.

“It will make Regional Victoria an even better place to live by creating good secure jobs, helping regional businesses to thrive and connecting our communities both socially and with better infrastructure and services,” Mr Walsh said.

“Daniel Andrews and city-centric Labor have no plan to decentralise our state and make sure people who live outside of Melbourne’s tram tracks aren’t missing out.

“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will make our state a state of cities, where all Victorians benefit from population growth, by delivering better infrastructure, education and job opportunities that Regional Victorians deserve.”