Mayor Irene Grant joins Regional Cities Victoria in 2025
Published on 13 December 2024
Mayor Irene Grant joins Regional Cities Victoria in 2025
Irene Grant, Rural City of Wangaratta mayor, joined mayors from across regional Victoria to set the agenda for Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) in 2025.
RCV is a leadership group comprising the Mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest cities outside Melbourne – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, and Wodonga.
RCV advocates for the sustainable growth of Victoria’s regions, and for policies and programs that help attract business investment and a diverse workforce to regional Victoria. Collectively, these cities are home to more than 800,000 Victorians.
As regional hubs, RCV cities support surrounding towns and districts through the provision of education, health, financial, transport and social services, as well as retail, sport and recreation, cultural and tourism amenities, and activities.
Cr. Irene Grant had her inaugural meeting with the other members of RCV since she was elected as mayor in November.
"Regional Cities Victoria plays a vital role in supporting the collective needs of our communities. Together, we are advocating for crucial priorities like securing fair roads funding, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing, and ensuring community infrastructure keeps pace with our growing population. Collaborative strength is the key to ensuring our regional cities thrive." She said.
This year RCV is celebrating 25 years as the trusted voice to government for the regions, their cities, and the rural communities they support.
In 2025 the group will be led by Chair Cr Shane Sali, Mayor of Greater Shepparton and Deputy Chair Cr Andrea Metcalf, Mayor of Greater Bendigo.
RCV mayors from left to right: Cr Tracey Hargreaves (Ballarat), Cr Helen Healey (Mildura), Cr Shane Sali (Shepparton), Cr Irene Grant (Wangaratta), Cr Dale Harriman (Latrobe), Cr Andrea Metcalf (Bendigo), Cr Ian Ross (Horsham), Cr Michael Gobel (Wodonga).