The cancellation of the 2026 Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games has left many cities and towns in Western Victoria, Central Victoria, and Eastern Victoria grappling with the impact on their communities and local economies. Although the Games were a much-anticipated event, they were also expected to help drive social and economic opportunities and long-term infrastructure investments across regional areas, including Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton, and Gippsland.
Following the cancellation, the Victorian Government announced a comprehensive $2 billion package to ensure continued investment in regional Victoria. This raises the question: what should this money be spent on, and how can its effectiveness be measured in terms of the promised benefits?
A recent Living in Australia – National Liveability Survey provides insight into what Regional Victorians believe needs to happen to improve their quality of life. Using the survey data, two primary focus areas emerged: ‘affordable decent housing’ and ‘high quality health services.’
Investment in ‘affordable decent housing’ is essential, as it forms the foundation of a stable and prosperous life. Access to stable and safe housing allows individuals to pursue higher goals such as education, personal finances, and social wellbeing. The survey found that Regional Victorians ranked ‘affordable decent housing’ as the 4th most important factor contributing to a good quality of life (selected by 50% of respondents), but only rated their local area an average of 5.2 out of 10 in terms of availability. As the single biggest obstacle to improving quality of life, investing in affordable housing represents a significant opportunity for the region.
In terms of health services, public health and wellbeing are vital for community participation and economic growth. A healthy and safe community enables people to work, contribute economically, and attract investment, which in turn leads to further growth and improved quality of life. Regional Victorians ranked ‘high-quality health services’ as the 3rd most important factor for a good quality of life (selected by 53% of the respondents) and rated their local area an average of 5.9 out of 10.
Interestingly, geographical location influenced perceptions of both affordable housing and health services. Western Victorians rated their local area an average of 5.4 for affordable housing, whereas Eastern Victorians gave a rating of 5.2 and Central Victorians, 5.0. Similar regional variation was observed for health services, with Western Victoria scoring 6.2, Central Victoria at 5.9, and Eastern Victoria at 5.3.
Delivering ‘affordable decent housing’ and improving access to ‘high-quality health services’ are not simple tasks, but long-term investments in these areas across Regional Victorian communities can be crucial steps in advancing local liveability.
For more information about the Living in Australia – National Liveability Insights, access their webinar, data, and additional resources, or learn about how the Living in Place initiative can help bring residents’ voices to important community decisions. Regional Victorians have shared their perspectives on what needs to happen to improve their quality of life, and it’s up to policymakers and stakeholders to ensure these investments deliver the promised benefits for their communities.
