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RCV produces a regular newsletter which provides information on operations, projects and the issues we’re tackling.

This allows us to keep our member Councils up to date with developments in policy, advocacy and the delivery of our projects.

Subscribe to receive these regular updates, or view the most recent newsletters and media releases via the links below.

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December 5, 2023

RCV disappointed at Strathbogie Council suspension

RCV is disappointed at the need for the suspension of Strathbogie Shire Council. The suspension takes effect from Wednesday, 6 December until the next local council […]
December 5, 2023

RCV Forum 2024

The RCV Forum 2024 will be held will be held at Trawool Estate near Seymour, in the Mitchell Shire, on Friday 2 August. The Forum will be held in conjunction […]
December 1, 2023

RCV welcomes $150m key worker housing fund guidelines

Rural Councils Victoria welcomes the state government’s announcement today (1 December) of the guidelines of a $150 million fund to support the provision of worker housing […]
November 20, 2023

RCV welcomes crackdown on bad behaviour by councillors

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed an announcement by Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne to introduce legislation early in the new year designed to elevate governance […]
October 17, 2023

RCV launches Rural Housing Action Plan

Rural Councils Victoria is today (17 October 2023) launching the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan. The five-point Plan calls for the federal and state governments to […]
October 3, 2023

Land for homes is the number one issue in rural housing crisis: RCV survey shows

A statewide survey of mayors, CEOs, councillors, and council staff has identified the biggest blockers to solving the rural housing crisis and building new homes across […]
September 20, 2023

RCV welcomes plan to build 152,000 homes in rural and regional Victoria

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the state government’s announcement today (20 September 2023) that it will build 152,000 homes in regional and rural Victoria. Rural Councils […]
August 22, 2023

RCV welcomes National Cabinet’s new housing target and the promise of $500m

RCV has welcomed the National Cabinet’s revised target to build an extra 1.2 million homes nationally and the injection of $500 million in new-housing incentives for […]
August 21, 2023

RCV welcomes $9.4 million disaster betterment program

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed a state and federal government announcement of $9.4 million Council Priority Betterment Program to improve the resilience of essential public assets such as […]
July 18, 2023

RCV welcomes $1bn housing commitment

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the state government’s commitment to a $1 billion fund to build 1300 new social and affordable housing homes in rural and regional Victoria.  […]
July 18, 2023

RCV Forum 2023

Resource materials available to download The RCV Forum 2023 took place in Echuca on Friday 14 July. Below are resources from the Forum for you to […]
July 11, 2023

RCV Forum 2023: Media call

Media call: RCV Forum 2023 What:              Media Call, Rural Councils Victoria, RCV Forum 2023 Where:            Radcliffe’s 6-10 Radcliffe Street, Echuca (Google Maps, Apple Maps) […]
June 29, 2023

Have your say on EPA’s draft onsite wastewater management systems guidelines

Councils have an important and longstanding role in regulating onsite wastewater management systems (such as septic tanks). The Environment Protection Act 2017 and Environment Protection Regulations […]
June 6, 2023

Latest RCV Newsletters

In the links below, please find all your RCV Alerts for 2023. Which are updated some days after the Alerts have been distributed to subscribers. Be […]
May 25, 2023

RCV notes state budget, seeks more investment in rural Victoria

Rural Councils Victoria has noted the Victorian State Budget’s interest in ensuring rural and regional communities benefit from budget measures such as the creation of the […]
May 22, 2023

Federal Budget: A view from rural Victoria

The 2023 Federal Budget didn’t make any large commitment for rural communities in Victoria or across the country. There are some measures that will be of […]
May 3, 2023

RCV welcomes $250m road funding announcement

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed today’s (3 April 2023) federal government announcement of an extra $250 million for road projects in rural, regional and outer-urban areas. […]
March 31, 2023

Flood inquiry: submissions urged

Rural Councils Victoria is urging individuals, community groups, businesses and councils across the state to make submissions to a new wide-ranging Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the […]
March 23, 2023

RCV joins national Alliance

Regional Councils Victoria has joined with 30 peak bodies from across Australia to create a new body to advocate for rural, regional and remote communities. Rural […]
February 28, 2023

RCV calls for major federal roads funding reforms

Rural Councils Victoria – which represents communities across Victoria’s 34 rural council areas – has called for major federal roads funding reforms in its submission to […]
December 14, 2022

RCV News Alert December 2022

Please click on this link to view the RCV Alert for December 2022.
December 13, 2022

International review finds governments must fund councils

A national and international review of potential alternative income streams for financially strapped rural communities has found that there is no “silver bullet” that can boost […]
November 16, 2022

RCV calls for dedicated rural ‘Build Back Better’ fund

Rural Councils Victoria is calling for a dedicated rural “Build Back Better” fund in the wake of the ongoing floods crisis across the state.  Rural Councils […]
November 10, 2022

RCV welcomes flood support funding

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed a combined $1 billion in support from the State and Federal Governments for communities affected by the flooding crisis. Rural Councils […]
August 31, 2022

Forum 2022 resources

The RCV Forum 2022 took place at Daylesford Town Hall on Friday 2 September. Below are resources from the Forum for you to download. More resources […]
August 10, 2022

RCV national survey explores new income for struggling councils

Rural Councils Victoria, the state’s peak body representing rural communities, is leading a nation-wide research project to find innovative ways for financially struggling councils to find […]
August 8, 2022

RCV News Alert August 2022

The RCV News Alert for August 2022 is now available in this link. News items include: Training for councillors and staff The Financial Sustainability Survey RCV […]
July 5, 2022

RCV News Alert July 2022

Rural Councils Victoria’s news alert for July 2022 has been distributed. The newsletter includes: Survey of councillors’ most pressing issues for rural communities Update on the […]
June 23, 2022

Governments need to fix housing crisis

A major new study warns that a chronic lack of affordable housing is set to cost Australian taxpayers $25 billion a year if no action is […]
June 20, 2022

State Government urged to invest in rural Victorian ‘childcare deserts’ as $9b investment welcomed

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a $9 billion investment in early childhood education over the next 10 years. Rural Councils Victoria […]
May 24, 2022

Rural Councils Victoria congratulates the newly elected Albanese Government

Rural Councils Victoria offers our congratulations to the newly elected federal government. Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said: “We look forward to working closely […]
May 16, 2022

Australia needs a Federal Minister for Natural Disasters

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on the next Federal Government to appoint a special minister who has the power to mitigate, manage and plan the recovery […]
May 13, 2022

Candidates urged to help fix rural roads

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on all candidates in the upcoming federal election to commit to helping save lives and create jobs by funding much-needed repairs […]
May 12, 2022

Election candidates should commit to fixing rural housing crisis

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on all candidates in the upcoming federal election to commit to fixing the housing crisis in rural Victoria.  Rural Councils Victoria […]
May 4, 2022

State budget ‘disappoints’ rural communities

RCV is disappointed that 2022 Victorian State Budget has failed to deliver for rural Victorians.  RCV Chair Mary-Ann Brown said:  “The budget papers say there is […]
May 2, 2022

RCV April news update 2022

The RCV April 2022 update was distributed on Monday 2 May 2022.  The newsletter can be found at this link.
April 29, 2022

Federal candidates urged to commit to solving rural aged care crisis

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on all Victorian candidates in the upcoming federal election to commit to solving a looming aged care crisis across rural and […]
April 13, 2022
RCV 2022 Federal Election Platform

Download RCV’s 2022 Federal Election Platform

2022 Federal Election Platform is available for download as a PDF. Please read the document and when communicating with your Federal MPs and candidates, please let […]
April 4, 2022

RCV Federal platform launches today

Rural Councils Victoria is today (4 April 2022) launching the RCV Federal Election Platform. The virtual launch takes place today at 4pm at this link. A […]
March 31, 2022

RCV March 2022 update

The RCV March 2022 update was distributed on Thursday 31 March 2022. The newsletter can be found at this link. To subscribe to the RCV newsletter […]
March 30, 2022

Budget ‘disappointing’ for rural Victorians

Rural Councils Victoria has expressed disappointment at the lack of new or specific rural Victorian projects in the Federal Government’s 2022 Budget. Rural Councils Victoria Chair […]
February 8, 2022

Government survey reveals poor state of digital services

A new government survey shows that the State Government’s $550 million Connecting Victoria program won’t be enough to bring reliable and better broadband and mobile connectivity […]
December 7, 2021

Rural housing crisis costs jobs, $1bn

Housing shortfall costs rural Victorian jobs and up to $1 billion in lost Gross Regional Product, new report finds  Rural communities across Victoria need more than […]
October 22, 2021

New tax could snuff out population growth in rural Victoria

A Windfall Gains Tax, due to be debated in the Victorian Parliament on Monday (25 October) would place another barrier in the way of providing much-needed […]
October 7, 2021

RCV welcomes $8 million transformation fund

RCV has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of $8 million to support Victoria’s 38 rural councils to deliver exciting projects that improve services and provide value […]
September 30, 2021

Contact your nbn local team

Who are nbn Local? nbn Local is a community engagement unit within nbn’s Regional Development & Engagement branch.  Our purpose is to lift digital capability at […]
September 3, 2021

Rural Victoria needs better infrastructure

Rural Councils Victoria welcomes today’s (3 September 2021) publication of Infrastructure Australia’s Reforms to Meet Australia’s Future Infrastructure Needs, a major report on Australia’s infrastructure needs […]
August 25, 2021

Website to help food manufacturers invest in rural Victoria

Rural Councils Victoria has created a new digital information asset to help food and beverage manufacturers expand their businesses or to invest in rural Victoria for […]
August 20, 2021

Working for Victoria gave Jenifer a new start

When Covid-19 hit, Deakin University student Jenifer Shariff’s plans were turned upside down. Lockdowns saw her Masters of Landscape Architecture studies extended by almost a year […]
August 20, 2021

Jobs program works for rural Victoria

A new independent report, commissioned by Rural Councils Victoria, has found that the $500m Working for Victoria program has benefitted individuals, councils and communities across the […]
July 7, 2021

Rural Victorians urged to have their say on mobile and broadband

Rural Victorians are being urged to have their say on mobile blackspots and broadband issues across the state. The State Government recently announced a survey as […]
June 4, 2021

RCV calls for long weekend

Rural Councils Victoria is calling for the declaration of a long weekend that celebrates when Victoria reaches herd immunity to Covid through high levels of vaccination. […]
June 3, 2021

Download RCV Rural Summit resources

Please find below links to reports and presentations delivered at the 2021 #ThrivingRuralVic Summit. Bernard Salt’s Demographic Destiny report LGV Executive Director Julie Reid’s presentation Recycling […]
May 27, 2021
Bernard Salt

Bernard Salt declares: It’s rural Victoria’s time to shine

In a new report, renowned demographer and social commentator Bernard Salt AM has concluded that the post-pandemic era provides rural Victoria with unique opportunities to thrive. […]
April 29, 2021

New camping regulations will be disastrous for rural areas

Rural Councils Victoria has written to the state government outlining the serious reasons that rural councils cannot support changes to the state’s land regulations that would […]
March 23, 2021

Rural tourism operators shouldn’t miss out on outdoor dining support

Rural Councils Victoria, which represents rural communities across the state, is calling on the Victorian Government to include popular rural tourist destinations in the extension of […]
March 17, 2021

Download the RCV Demographic Destiny report

Demographer Bernard Salt’s report is available at this link #ThrivingRuralVic #RuralVictoria
December 9, 2020

Rural communities welcome infrastructure report

On behalf of rural communities across the state, Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed today’s Infrastructure Victoria ‘Infrastructure Priorities for the Regions’ report, part of ‘Victoria’s Draft […]
November 18, 2020

$465 million tourism investment welcomed

Rural Councils Victoria, which represents rural communities across the state, has welcomed the state government’s $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package to help the sector bounce […]
October 28, 2020

Help more Victorians to enjoy rural Victoria

As Melbourne’s “ring of steel” is set to ease on 8 November, Rural Councils Victoria is calling on the state government to redirect a proportion of […]
October 7, 2020

Budget helps pay for rural road safety

The Federal Budget has allocated a total of $101,700,005 to Victorian councils for local road projects. The sums range from a low of $38,179 (to RCV […]
October 1, 2020

Zero cases: make easing restrictions a priority

Rural Councils Victoria has written to the Victorian Government calling for an easing of COVID restrictions in rural and regional Victoria. RCV Chair Mary-Ann Brown said: […]
September 15, 2020

Rural Victorians welcome easing of restrictions

On behalf of rural communities, Rural Councils Victoria welcomes the state government’s announcement today that rural Victoria will move to the next step of lockdown from […]
September 7, 2020

‘Nuance’ needed, ease rural lockdown now

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on the State Government to take into account the reality in rural areas and to immediately begin easing stage 3 lockdowns […]
August 20, 2020

PM Morrison urged to halt chaos at the borders

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to use his influence to resolve the border issues that have split communities and are impacting […]
August 11, 2020

Community Engagement Toolkit for rural communities

Rural Councils Victoria has produced a free community engagement and consultation tool specifically designed for use by councils with rural communities across the state. The RCV […]
July 6, 2020

RCV welcomes funding announcement

Media Release 6 July 2020 Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the announcement today of more than $500 million in spending in non-metropolitan Victoria by the state […]
June 26, 2020

Rural Victorians suffer severe job losses

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release – 25 June 2020 New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the impact the COVID 19 crisis and […]
June 5, 2020

ICT grants welcomed

Rural Councils Victoria welcomes the State Government’s announcement of $3.8 million to support rural councils in improving their information technology to facilitate remote governance and community […]
June 5, 2020

Tourists urged to stay safe on the long weekend

Media Release 4 June 2020 With the long weekend quickly approaching, Rural communities across Victoria are preparing to welcome thousands of tourists from the city following […]
May 25, 2020

Rural aged care needs urgent reform

Media Release – Rural Councils Victoria Rural aged care needs urgent reform  Aged care in rural Victoria needs urgent reform to meet projected demand from an […]
May 4, 2020

Bushfire preparations funding needs to be at least tripled

RCV has called on the government to triple funding for emergency management preparedness to ensure rural communities are ready for devastating natural disasters such as bushfires […]
April 3, 2020

Rural Victorians call for $4 billion in Support

Rural Victorians call for $4 billion in support Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) is calling on the State and Federal governments to provide $4 billion to support rural Victorian communities in the wake of devastating droughts, the recent […]
December 11, 2019

Rural Councils Victoria launches program to build the skills of rural councillors and staff

Rural Councils Victoria has launched their Building Local Capacity Program to build the skills and expertise of Victoria’s rural council workforce. The $395,000 Building Local Capacity […]
December 10, 2019

RCV Newsletter, November 2019

Find out what’s happening in our November Newsletter RCV brings priority issues to Canberra Calls for new council funding model as RCV Chair addresses Local Government […]
December 4, 2019

Rural Councils Victoria brings priority issues to Canberra

Rural Councils Victoria delegates have visited Canberra this week to highlight a number of important issues impacting rural Victorian communities. RCV Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown and […]
November 14, 2019

Rural Councils Victoria call for new council funding model at inquiry

Chair addresses Local Government Ratings System Review Victoria’s rural communities have called on the state government for help to support the unique needs of people living […]
October 22, 2019

Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum and Annual General Meeting – October 2019

Our October 2019 Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum was held on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at the Isabella Fraser Room at the State Library of Victoria. […]
October 1, 2019

Rural councils welcome road funding blitz

Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) welcomes the government’s launch today of a massive road maintenance blitz that will benefit rural Victorian road users. Premier Daniel Andrews joined […]
September 25, 2019

RCV Newsletter, September 2019

Find out what’s happening in our September Newsletter New Committee Members New Research Published Submissions to Federal Government Inquiries Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme Invitation: Workshop on […]
September 10, 2019

Full program announced for RCV October Forum

Forum program will feature speakers from VAGO and RDV as well as keynote speaker Gabrielle Chan. All the details here.
August 23, 2019

Author Gabrielle Chan to speak at October Forum

The Rural Councils Victoria Annual General Meeting will be held at 9.30am on Wednesday 16 October at the Isabella Fraser Room at the State Library of […]
August 20, 2019

RCV welcomes more funding for libraries in rural communities

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the State Government’s recognition of the unique needs of rural communities with the announcement today of $4.5 million for the Living […]
August 2, 2019

RCV Newsletter, August 2019

Find out what’s happening at RCV in our August Newsletter. RCV Submission to the 2019 Local Government Bill  New and Improved Website and Industry Toolkits Save […]
July 16, 2019

RCV’s response to the Local Government Bill 2019 Discussion Paper

RCV has this week submitted its response to the Discussion Paper for the Local Government Bill. In the submission, RCV highlights the importance of considering the […]
June 18, 2019

RCV welcomes the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry

The Victorian Government has issued its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Sustainability and Operational Challenges of Victoria’s Rural and Regional Councils. View full response […]
April 17, 2019

Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum – April 2019

Our biannual Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum was held at the RACV City Club in Melbourne on April 17. This event showcases the great work happening […]
April 2, 2019

Advocacy activity underway ahead of Federal Election and State Budget

Find out what measures RCV is advocating for.
March 28, 2019

Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum Program Announcement

We’re pleased to announce the full program for our upcoming April event. Find out who we’ll be hearing from.
December 21, 2018

New Chair, Committee Member appointed and updates from the Committee

Find out all the details in the December RCV Newsletter.
December 20, 2018

RCV Announces New Chair

Cr Mary-Ann Brown has been elected to lead Rural Councils Victoria for the next two years following a meeting of the RCV Committee on Friday 14 […]
August 8, 2018

Population Attraction Report Released

Read the report and find out what else has been happening across RCV in August.
June 28, 2018

RCV Newsletter, June 2018

Find out what’s happening in the June Newsletter. Rules of Incorporation Review Rural & Regional Councils Sustainability Reform Report Advocacy meetings Unlocking Rural Victoria’s Potential Population […]
May 28, 2018

2018 Rural Summit a Success

Find out all about the 2018 Rural Summit in East Gippsland in our June 2018 Newsletter.
May 1, 2018

Budget commitment welcomed

Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $20 million budget commitment to a Rural Council Transformation Program to assist rural councils to identify and implement more […]
April 27, 2018

Fixing country roads funding welcomed

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $941 million budget pledge to fix the State’s ageing country roads.Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Rob Gersch said […]
March 14, 2018

RCV Newsletter, March 2018

Find out more in the March 2018 update from RCV. Forum registration reminder Meetings planned on budget submission Do you know a local innovator? NBN concerns get […]
February 21, 2018

RCV Newsletter, February 2018

Minister to speak at forum Budget submission made Liveability in spotlight Community innovators sought Social enterprise workshops VicTrack hears concerns Find out more in the February […]
December 20, 2017

RCV Newsletter, December 2017

All the latest from RCV in our regular newsletter. 2018/2019 Victorian Government Budget Submission Save the date – Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum Save the date […]
November 14, 2017

RCV Newsletter, November 2017

Find out what’s on with RCV’s regular Newsletter. Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum Annual General Meeting Victorian Government 2018/2019 Budget Advocacy Campaign Rural Population Growth Policy […]

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