Media release
4 October 2022
Collaboration is key to a secure future for Melbourne’s east
‘Growing local jobs for regional recovery’ is at the centre of the Eastern Region Group of Council’s priorities for government collaboration, launched today.
Local Members of Parliament, election candidates and stakeholder groups joined with the ERG, as the Chair, Cr Michelle Kleinert and key regional groups outlined the region’s priorities in the lead up to the State election.
The ERG collaborates closely with the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance (EAHA), Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (EAGA), Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) and the Melbourne Regional Economic Development Group (MEREDG) as well as other stakeholders, such as the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
ERG Chair, Cr Michelle Kleinert said that closer collaboration with government was essential to ensure the regional economy, communities, environment and infrastructure recover from the impacts of COVID and the 2021 storms and are able to weather the global economic headwinds ahead.
Cr Kleinert said it was important to create more effective partnerships between local and State Government if these priorities are to be achieved, and as budgets tighten.
In the news
2 March 2022
Social housing reforms scrapped by State Government
Star Mail
Media release
25 February 2022
Who is really paying for the Big Housing Build?
The Eastern Region Group of Councils is supporting calls for the State Government to abandon its proposed policy to exempt rates being paid on social housing properties.
Chair of the ERG Cr Michelle Kleinert said the proposal for a rates exemption on public and community housing left councils “between a rock and a hard place”.
“It raises the question – should ratepayers be asked to fill the funding gap, or will residents just have to accept lower levels of service?” Cr Kleinert said.
“While the ERG congratulates the State Government for the Big Housing Build investment, and for proposing an enduring mechanism to tackle the persistent, chronic shortfall in social housing – public and community housing should pay rates,” she said.
In the news
6 October 2021
Calls for headspace expansion
Star Mail
Media release
23 September 2021
Supporting Melbourne’s east in the lead up to the Federal election
The Eastern Region Group of Councils is providing a united voice for communities in Melbourne’s east in the lead up to the Federal election.
The ERG has identified emerging priorities for the region that require Federal Government action to ensure local communities, economy, environment and infrastructure across the east continue to be supported.
ERG Chair Cr Kylie Spears said the group was advocating for a range of capital works and projects to support local communities, grow the local economy and sustain both the built and natural environments.
“The ERG is six local government areas in eastern Melbourne, including Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges. We work together on common issues of significance to the region. We advocate, plan and cooperate for the benefit of our communities,” Cr Spears said.
“With a population of almost 1 million, 20 per cent of metropolitan Melbourne, it is imperative that the Federal Government continue to inject resources into much needed projects to keep the region thriving,” she said.