Jerome Laxale MP

STATEMENT FROM VRCA Regional Victorian Building Industry in Crisis: Urgent Government Intervention Needed The Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance (VRCA) is calling for immediate Government action as the residential building industry throughout the State faces an unprecedented crisis. Despite the high demand for housing, regional and rural areas are witnessing a major downturn in all aspects of the housing and residential building industry. Land sales in new subdivisions have virtually stopped and agents are reporting a notable increase in land resales, where the current market value is significantly below the initial purchase price. Prospective homebuilders are therefore experiencing increased difficulty in securing bank finance to build and alarmingly, there has been an unprecedented number of defaults on land settlements. This downward spiral flows onto builders, who are unable to secure stable work which in turn impedes the commencement of much-needed dwelling construction projects across regional Victoria. Earlier this year Victoria experienced its lowest dwelling approvals in over a decade. January saw a staggering 9.8% decline in approvals compared to the previous month, illustrating a severe slowdown in construction activity. This trend underlines the financial strain faced by industry players, threatening the stability of the entire sector. Furthermore, the erosion of confidence in the building sector has led to a notable shift in consumer behaviour, with prospective buyers increasingly favouring established homes over new land and build options. The absence of first-home buyers, residential investors and upgraders in the current land market further exacerbates the challenges faced by industry stakeholders. “The Victorian Government must urgently intervene to address these pressing issues and safeguard the future of the building industry,” says the VRCA. “The Government has set a target of 80,000 new homes in Victoria in the next 10 years. Who is going to build them? Small construction companies are going out of business, looking to commercial work to survive or exiting the industry. “Supply chain issues continue to cause gaps in the construction process, and sub-contractors are stood down until materials arrive, so they too are looking for work outside of residential projects. “Immediate measures such as reassessing land tax policies, revisiting windfall-gains tax regulations, and implementing targeted financial support are essential to restore confidence and stimulate activity. “We call upon the Victorian Government to the prioritise regional and rural Victoria and take decisive action to mitigate the current crisis. Failure to act swiftly risks long term damage to the State's economy and housing market,” the VRCA said. Contact Jodie Gillett for further information

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Victorian councils understand the urgent need for all levels of government to address the deepening housing crisis in Australia. Because every single Victorian deserves access to affordable and suitable housing. We acknowledge that targets, as part of a range of responses, can be a useful tool in driving the creation of new homes in our State. But the road to target-driven outcomes must be paved with collaborative planning and the recognition of local realities. Today’s news that the State Government could remove planning powers from councils that fail to meet targets is worthy of discussion, but a more constructive idea is to recognise the value of partnership and collaboration.    Local governments hold invaluable local knowledge and insights that are an essential input into effective housing strategies. As the closest tier of government to the community, councils are uniquely positioned to translate housing targets into meaningful local developments that respect and enhance the character and needs of each area. We steadfastly believe the community is best served by a shared approach, where the State Government and councils work hand-in-glove to address the housing deficit together.  Stripping councils of their planning powers is not the solution. Instead, we should focus on strengthening the capabilities of local councils to work in line with the State Government’s objectives, bolstering their role in planning decisions and ensuring there is meaningful community engagement in the process. As we move forward, the MAV is committed to this partnership model as part of an approach that champions the expertise of local governments and nurtures the cooperative spirit that has always been present when we have solved big problems like this in the past. I invite the State Government to join us in ensuring a future where the creation of new housing is not just a mandated metric, but a collaborative effort between governments to get us out of the housing mess we’ve been in for far too long. #HousingCrisis #CommunityFirst #LocalGovernment #Victoria #UrbanPlanning #Collaboration

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Today I announced new guidance to help agencies make smarter use of taxpayer dollars through private sector strategic leasing partnerships for infrastructure. This 'PPP-lite' approach ensures New Zealanders can get the quality infrastructure they need, where and when it's needed, while retaining flexibility to changing circumstances. Strategic leasing complements our recent PPP Framework refresh, adding another tool in our infrastructure tool belt to better deliver a different class of assets. Read the guidance and the full release below.

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What is the government going to do to bring excessively high public service remuneration packages into line with community expectations? AND What can the government do to stop excessively overpaid elites lecturing us about disadvantage?

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"Governments are working together to design and deliver additional supports in the community. These additional supports are called Foundational Supports. These are specific supports that would be available outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help people with disability, and their families and carers. The NDIS has transformed the lives of many people with disability, and it is here to stay. The NDIS provides supports to eligible people with disability. Many people with disability are not on the NDIS. Some of these people, who are not on the NDIS, may need more help than what is offered through mainstream or community services, like early childhood education, schools and community mental health. This is where additional Foundational Supports can assist. We want supports that work, and meet the needs of people with disability. To do this, we need your help. Commonwealth and state and territory governments are working on this together. Importantly, people with disability and mental health concerns will be at the centre of this work. So will their families and carers, and the wider community. Consultations The Department is running an introductory webinar. This webinar is an opportunity to find out more about: the different types of Foundational Supports upcoming opportunities to contribute to the national public consultations on Foundational Supports. You do not need to do anything to prepare for this webinar. During this webinar, we will also provide information on other opportunities to have your say on Foundational Supports. The webinar will include Auslan interpreters and live captioning. The webinar will take place at 12pm (AEST) on 20 September 2024." Find out more below: https://lnkd.in/gSqpux3j

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Registration of Interest NOW OPEN - Business Boost Grant Business Boost Grant: $10,000 - $20,000 The Business Boost grants assist small businesses to enhance their efficiency and productivity. Funded businesses are expected to: - boost turnover, profit and employment - increase business confidence and skills - enhance the business's efficiency and productivity - improve business resilience and survivability. This support includes funded activities in 3 project areas: 1 Future planning 2 Specialised and automated software 3 Planning and systems for staff management and development. Successful applicants must equally co-contribute towards the total project cost. Opening: Stage 1: Registration of interest (ROI) - 9am, Monday 24 June 2024     Closing: Stage 1: Registration of interest (ROI) - 5pm, Friday 5 July 2024 Eligibility To be eligible for this grant, your business must meet the following criteria at the time of application submission: - have more than 1 and less than 20 employees (by headcount) - be operating and have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) - be registered for GST - have a registered Queensland headquarters location (as per your Australian - Business Register (ABR) record) - be established and financially sound - experiencing growth, with a gross profit in the 2023-24 financial year - have a turnover of $300,000 (minimum) in the 2023-24 financial year - have a publicly accessible web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website, social media pages) - not have been approved for funding under earlier Business Boost rounds - not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt. Your business must maintain this eligibility for the duration of the grant-funded activity.   For further information about the program email us at [email protected] or contact the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687.

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This Community Land Trust model has the potential to create perpetually affordable housing (where the housing stays affordable when sold on) throughout Aotearoa but the model works best and has greater impact when supported by local and central govt. See this report I wrote with the data that supports this and which has clear actions that councils can take: https://lnkd.in/gej2vCdR

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🌟 Considering your next project, investment, or business venture? Think Bundaberg! 🌟 The Bundaberg region is bursting with potential and ready to support your ambitions! 🚀 Whether you're looking at the bioeconomy, agricultural diversification, business ventures, transporting freight, tourism opportunities or hotel development and anything in between, I am here to help you navigate the possibilities and connect you with the right resources. Let’s turn your vision into reality! 📩 Feel free to reach out to me—I'd love to discuss how we can make your next venture a success in the Bundaberg region. #Bundaberg #Investment #Business #Connections #Innovation #Sustainability

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In this follow up to our previous post, Ryan Coetzee expands on what it takes to define a government’s commitment to stakeholders and citizens, and how, once defined, that promise can be used to guide decisions, actions and communications across a government organisation. To find out more about Consulum’s Government Promise System (GPS), visit our website's thought leadership page or get in touch with one of our advisors to discuss whether the GPS could be right for your organization.

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Consistently supporting a definition of ‘affordable housing’ that is linked to household income, targeted to households on low to moderate incomes (i.e. the lowest 40% of the Australian income distribution), and ensuring they spend no more than 30% of their household income on housing costs. This income group continues to miss out and it’s imperative that tax payer funds, subsidies and concessions for housing projects are used to target this group amid the wider housing challenges we currently face. #Affordable #Housing #Definition #IncomeBased #CommunityHousing #Queensland

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Royal Far West welcomes the release of the Federal Government's Early Years Strategy (7 May) which sets out a ten year roadmap for children aged 0-5 years, aimed at achieving a nationally consistent early years system. The strategy highlights many areas for reform in the sector like the need for a more coordinated approach, greater collaboration between Commonwealth, State and local governments, supporting local solutions and the need for better data. It is based on solid principles and good outcomes like improving access and disadvantage, which is especially important for country kids. We look forward to the first Action Plan from the Strategy, to be released later this year, and how funds will be allocated. Early learning is one of the best gifts we can give our children. It is in this timeframe that many building blocks are laid. For country kids experiencing developmental challenges, a lack of access to services, long wait times and cost are inhibitive factors in getting help. The combination of these factors and other social determinants are inextricably linked to poorer mental health, poorer educational outcomes and ultimately poorer life outcomes. Early intervention and preventative supports are key. It is important that any action plan recognises the importance of allied health as part of the solution for both early and preventative intervention in rural and remote areas of Australia. Where a child lives should not be a barrier to access services nor a cause for disadvantage. https://lnkd.in/gtXpbuNm #AnneAly #earlylearning #amandarishworth #auspol 

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Are you considering running for Victoria’s local government elections? The Victorian Local Governance Association has released an updated resource to help. 📖 Women Leading Change - is your campaign toolkit designed to equip you with the tools that you need when considering running in local government elections. 🚺 We need 1000 women to stand if we want to reach the state goal of 50/50 representation. That feels like a lot. But if you break it down across all Victoria’s local government areas it’s achievable. 🎤 As Cr Tina Samardzija said at the recent Women Leading Change launch, don’t focus on all the reasons why you can’t run for Council, focus on all the reasons why you CAN. #womenleadingchange #womeninleadership #localgovernment #1000women https://lnkd.in/gjkqheQ2

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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Grow your own regional workforce - FREE Course A specialised course designed to assist you with the process to develop a regional workforce plan. This approach may be informed by regional economic development strategies. Regional Jobs Committees and Local Government Economic Development teams are encouraged to register. The Workforce Planning for Regions Course is delivered in partnership with Jobs Queensland, and proudly supported by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. Eligibility requirements Queensland Local Government team members in Economic Development and Regional Jobs Committee stakeholders are encouraged to register. Additionally, anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of developing a regional workforce plan are welcome. Choose your preferred course delivery option: a) Weekly Workshops: Seven (7) x 90-minute workshops, followed by 30 minutes of networking each week. b) Two-day Intensive: Join us onsite or online for 2 full days If you are not located near an onsite location, please feel welcome to join online. How to register? Step 1:  Choose a course location regardless of your attendance mode Step 2: Choose your attendance mode (onsite or online) Course Information The content is delivered as a series of seven weekly workshops or as a two-day intensive, available simultaneously onsite or online. Course Content Module 1: Introduction to regional workforce planning Module 2: Establishing your project Module 3: Introduction to data Module 4: Creating reports by applying data Module 5: Leading industry consultation Module 6: Your journey towards developing a workforce plan Module 7: Consolidation and next steps

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