About Rural Councils Victoria

Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) is the group of 38 rural councils in the State of Victoria, Australia. Rural councils are responsible for 79 per cent of Victoria’s land area. This land area is diverse and includes many of our state’s greatest natural assets and most of the biodiversity. As stewards of this vast area of natural assets, rural councils play a vital role in both ensuring the viability of local communities who are dependent on the health and productivity of these lands, waters and coasts and communicating the significance of these assets to all Victorians.

Rural communities, industries and natural environments make an important contribution to the quality of life for all Victorians. The RCV network strives to be the liaison between the rural councils and the State and Commonwealth Governments, industry and community groups and regional advisory bodies and planning committees.

The RCV Executive Committee is currently overseeing the scoping and implementation of a program funded by Regional Development Victoria. The program aims to empower rural councils to address their current and future challenges in a more sustainable way.

 

Definition of a rural council

What is the definition of a rural council in Victoria?

• The Regional Growth Fund Act 2011 which defines five ‘regions’ and the 48 Municipal Councils in regional Victoria.

• The Regional Victoria Settlement Framework (Amendment VC66 changes Clause 12 of the SPPF) which describes a settlement hierarchy within Regional Victoria.

• The Regional Cities Portfolio is described as the ten largest cities in Regional Victoria as defined by the Regional Cities Victoria group.

• The Rural Councils Victoria network is defined as the 38 regional and rural councils in Victoria.