The Nationals have accused Premier Dan Andrews of operating a ‘‘Melbourne-centric agenda’’, which they say is strangling growth in country communities.
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Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Walsh used newly released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures to support his claim.
‘‘Daniel Andrews is sitting on his hands while Labor’s city-centric agenda strangles growth in Regional Victoria,’’ Mr Walsh said.
‘‘Without a population plan, country Victoria is missing opportunities for new jobs and investment that comes with population growth.
‘‘A plan for better public transport, hospitals, schools and services right across our state — beyond the regional cities of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong — would encourage more people to live and work in our country communities.
‘‘It would also help strengthen community groups, sporting clubs and volunteer organisations in Regional Victoria that are struggling to attract new members.
‘‘But nothing will change while Daniel Andrews continues to blindly push a Melbourne-centric agenda and ignores country communities.’’
The latest ABS Regional Population Growth report highlights that Melbourne is bursting at the seams with 327 people moving to the city every day.
Melbourne grew more than any other capital city in Australia in the past 12 months with 119400 new residents, compared to 93400 in Sydney.
In contrast, there were 12 local government areas (all in regional Victoria) that recorded a decline in population: Buloke, Campaspe, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Glenelg, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Swan Hill, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.
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