The visit aimed to push for funding for much needed projects in the region and involved a productive few days of meetings with 12 different key advisers and government politicians to ensure projects for Greater Shepparton are not forgotten.
The projects discussed included:
- Water Security for irrigated agriculture
- A new SAM
- Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton Bypass
- Goulburn Valley Health Radiotherapy Services
- Increased and improved passenger rail services between Shepparton and Melbourne
- High Speed Rail - Sydney to Melbourne via Shepparton
- Food Bowl Inland Rail Route
The application for funding for the new SAM is pending a decision from the Federal Government.
Cr Dinny Adem said the visit was very productive and very worthwhile. “We have developed useful relationships with key people in Canberra which puts us in a very good position to build on the connections,” said Cr Adem.
“We have made our views known on issues such as water security and have discussed in detail the other projects. Shepparton needs funding for these projects to ensure a viable economic future for the region and to provide us with services that other regions take for granted.”
“The Bypass is a project that has been on the back burner for too long. It needs Federal government dollars to improve an unsatisfactory transport issue. Sections of the Goulburn Valley Highway in and around Greater Shepparton can’t cater for the large and rising traffic volumes that use the highway daily,” said Cr Adem.
“Our passenger rail service is abysmal and we are hoping for Federal assistance. The one extra service promised by the State government doesn’t stack up against the improvements offered to Ballarat and Bendigo. Bendigo is getting an investment of $15.8m for a massive upgrade to their station and four extra off peak services each day along with the half a billion dollar upgrade to the Ballarat line,” said Cr Adem. “Greater Shepparton is once again left languishing.”
“We are confident our views are now well known.”
