Wangaratta's chamber of commerce is backing calls from the state's lobby group to reduce the cost of doing business and fast-track the supply of housing as the Victorian government prepares for its 2026-27 budget, to be delivered in May.

Grow Wangaratta believes sustainable regional growth relies on sustainable regional businesses.

"This state budget should focus on reducing the cost of doing business, simplifying regulation and investing in workforce, housing and infrastructure so regional Victoria remains a competitive place to invest, employ and grow," chamber secretary Emma Merlo said.

"One of the biggest challenges for regional businesses is workforce and housing availability.

"If businesses can’t find staff, and workers can’t find housing, regional economies simply can’t grow — so these need to be key priorities in this year’s state budget."

Wangaratta has a gross regional product (GRP) of about $1.729 billion, growing an estimated 1 per cent annually, and the economy is supported by 3250 businesses.

On a wider scale, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has made a submission to the 2026-27 State Budget that involves a targeted agenda focused on restoring confidence, driving investment and positioning Victoria to capture emerging global economic opportunities.

The submission identifies several priorities areas where the state government can take immediate action to support businesses and strengthen Victoria’s economic outlook.

Key priorities include:

• stabilise debt and provide a clear path and timeline for debt reduction as a share of Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP);

• impose no new taxes and reduce the taxation and regulatory burden on business;

• enable the property sector by cutting land tax and red tape to support housing supply;

• become the leading state for education and apprenticeships;

• establish a clear energy roadmap that ensures abundant, affordable, secure and reliable energy;

• better coordinate significant infrastructure, including private-sector led, by revamping public-private partnerships; and

• develop the growth industries – agribusiness, exports, tourism, innovation and manufacturing – that are fundamental to our future prosperity.

VCCI chief executive Sally Curtain said businesses are telling them that the fundamentals matter: a legitimate and credible plan to deal with the state’s debt, a stable tax environment, affordable and reliable energy and a regulatory system that supports rather than slows investment.

“The settings in Victoria are moving in the wrong direction: costs are rising, regulation is growing and investment opportunities are being lost," Ms Curtain said.

“The upcoming state budget is an opportunity for the Victorian government to send a strong signal that Victoria is serious about restoring its competitiveness and becoming the best place in Australia to invest, grow a business and create jobs."