Chief Executive Officer Peter Harriott, Mayor Dinny Adem, Director Sustainable Development Johann Rajaratnam, Manager Economic Development Geraldine Christou, and Manager Planning Colin Kalms travelled to Melbourne to discuss several important projects and impress on the government and opposition the importance of the projects to the economic viability for the region.
Council staff met with both MLC and Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Transport, Simon Ramsay and Shadow Minister for Transport David Hodgett to discuss transport issues including the GV Highway Shepparton Bypass, inland rail and passenger rail services.
“We strongly advocated for preliminary works and stage one funding for the Bypass. With the reinvigoration of the Bypass Action Group we continue to encourage commitment from government to progress this project,” said Mr Harriott.
“In addition we continue to advocate for a food bowl inland freight route and discussed the status of the Expressions of Interest to ascertain private investment interest in this project,” he said. “Talks also focussed on additional services for passenger rail and upgrading rail infrastructure.”
“We spoke with Deputy Secretary responsible for Water and Catchments Kate Houghton and Executive Director for Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Andrew Fennessy, about the levee bank control and maintenance and the social and economic impacts of the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan,” said Mr Harriott.
“We were able to discuss with Minister Pulford’s Senior Adviser, Jarrod Dobson, several issues including the GV Highway Bypass project, Inland Rail, Passenger Rail, GV Link and MDBP implementation.”
“In December we will be meeting with the Chief of Staff and Adviser for Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily d’Ambrosio, to discuss large scale solar farms, greening Shepparton and Environmental Upgrade Agreements,” said Mr Harriott.
“We also have meetings set up with Minister for Water Lisa Neville to discuss the impact of the MDBP implementation, levee bank maintenance and with the Deputy Secretary Transport Gillian Miles to discuss the Bypass, Inland Rail and Passenger Rail.”
“These talks are valuable in that they keep Greater Shepparton front of mind for our State legislators and those who make decisions that affect our communities. We will continue to lobby until these important projects come to fruition,” said Mr Harriott.
