Australia's 50 regional capital cities are home to almost four million people, and a further eight million in surrounding towns.

But the peak body for regional cities will today tell a Senate inquiry that the Federal Government has no consistent policy to create jobs or improve the liveability in these centres.

The inquiry will consider the future role and growing needs of regional cities like Albury, Townsville, Bendigo and Bunbury.

Regional Capitals Australia wants more infrastructure spending in these places—and they say it's not all about building more roads.