Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone has recommended a comprehensive decentralisation plan to manage regional population growth and dispersal.
“Regional Victoria has experienced strong growth, but much of it has been concentrated in larger regional cities close to Melbourne,” Mr. Stone said.
“The Victorian Government must broaden its policy approach to not only promote regional growth, but manage regional growth.”
Mr. Stone said the state government should use its 2019-20 budget to map out growth and upgrade existing transport infrastructure.
“The 2019-20 budget is an opportunity for the re-elected state government to set out a vision for growth and job creation in regional Victoria,” Mr. Stone said.
“Supporting actions include better regional infrastructure and land use planning, as well as further investment in new technologies to improve regional transport capacity and integration.”
Mr. Stone specifically called for infrastructure support in Geelong, Gippsland, Ballarat and the Hume region. He added the state government must also ensure the airport rail link incorporates fast trains to Geelong and Ballarat.
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