Since late last year, Committee for Ballarat has liaised extensively with its members, government and others to prepare our response to the state’s Draft Plan for Victoria – to 2050. The submission will be finalised by the end of this month.
Regional areas, including ours are on the edge of an enormous opportunity. We can either advocate for and manage growth or accept our decline.
In advocating for growth, it must be responsible and smart and must not simply be about houses and population. We need to plan and invest in the full range of services that deliver great communities and we know what these are.
We also know from the evidence around the world that Megacities do not deliver liveable, sustainable, thriving and fair cities. Responsible and smart growth is more likely to be achieved through a ‘State of Cities’ rather than a ‘City State’.
With 80-85% of the state’s population in Melbourne by 2050, we will have a City State where the winner will take all in terms of investment and services.
A State of Cities on the other hand, will see a diverse range of larger regional cities and town, well connected and with the infrastructure and services that deliver the communities we want.
Our current trajectory sees Australia blindly heading towards a country with 3-4 Megacities. Melbourne home to 8 million plus will be one of those Megacities and all the complexity we have in our capital city currently, will be doubled. I don’t know anyone who thinks that’s a good outcome for Melbourne.
It’s not too late to change direction. Let’s seize the opportunity for regional development and advocate for a state of cities with a more equitable balance between metropolitan, regional and rural living.