Baw Baw Shire Councillor, Michael Leaney, has been re-elected as Chair of the Peri Urban Councils of Victoria (PUCV).
Joining Councillor Leaney in re-election is Deputy Chair, Councillor Moira Berry of Moorabool Shire Council.
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is comprised of five member Councils: Bass Coast Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council, and Surf Coast Shire Council.
“Under their leadership, PUCV has been at the forefront of a national dialogue on urban growth, spearheaded by the commissioning of the landmark report “Managing Urban Growth in the Peri Urban Area” by Hansen Partnership. This report has played a pivotal role in shaping discussions around urban planning, management, and funding across the country,” Baw Baw Shire Council said in a statement following Cr Leaney’s re-election.
Cr Leaney said he was looking forward to working with representatives from the four other member Councils.
“The peri-urban regions surrounding Melbourne and Geelong are among the fastest-growing in the country,” he said.
“It’s imperative that we proactively invest in these areas to manage urban sprawl effectively and preserve the unique lifestyle and character that define our communities.”
PUCV is set to take an active role in shaping the new National Urban Policy, Plan Victoria, as well as participating in the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into food supply in peri-urban areas.
Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Annemarie McCabe welcomed the announcement of Cr Leaney’s re-election, highlighting the importance of collective advocacy for the needs of peri-urban regions like Baw Baw Shire.
“Regions like ours face unique pressures,” said Mayor McCabe.
“Securing targeted funding and advocating for policies that will let us address the challenges of rapid population growth are so important to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in our shire.
“As a highly experienced Councillor and former Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Cr Leaney has a deep understanding of the issues we are tackling. I’ve no doubt the PUCV will continue to do invaluable work for peri urban regions under the leadership of the current board,” she said.
In the coming weeks, Cr Leaney will lead a PUCV delegation to Canberra, seeking to secure a better deal for peri-urban communities.
