Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Wednesday, 12 October, 2022. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council continuing to advocate for the region’s key infrastructure priorities

Council’s Victorian Government election priorities 2022 document outlines the seven major infrastructure areas which are priority items for the region. While Council appreciates the Victorian Government’s ongoing support for Greater Shepparton, there are many projects which still need funding to cater for the significant growth experienced in the area.

These projects include the Victorian Government working with the Commonwealth Government to allocate the funds required to construct Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass. It also includes investment into a new Shepparton Sports and Event Centre and the allocation of funding for Stage 2 of the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment.

Since 2016, Goulburn Valley Health, with support from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments has renovated or rebuilt parts of the Shepparton hospital, but around half of the site still needs to be redeveloped to meet the rapidly growing healthcare needs of the community. The current physical layout of the buildings do not support best-practice provision of health services now and will present problems in the future. Urgent funding is required from the Victorian Government to complete the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health.

Allocation of funding to deliver a Tech School for Greater Shepparton is also on the list, along with funding for Stage 2 of the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence.

Council’s Ask of Government also highlights several policy areas including poverty and welfare disadvantage, water security, climate adaption and resilience, renewable energy zones and electricity grid updates, the carbon market, and growing regional opportunities for work.

With the Victorian State Government election drawing closer, Mayor Councillor Shane Sali said Council would continue to advocate for these priority projects to ensure Greater Shepparton has the high level of facilities and services it needs.

“The region has demonstrated that we have the capacity to deliver complex projects and each dollar spent here by the Victorian Government generates many more in economic activity,” he said.

Shepparton youth Garang Kuol, the youngest person to be called up to the Australian National Football team (Socceroos) since Harry Kewell, is a shining example of how investing in infrastructure like the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre in regional areas can be life changing.

“John McEwen Reserve is my stomping ground. The main pitch there is probably the best in Victoria,” Mr Kuol said.

Cr Sali said without investment in infrastructure and services to support communities outside of metropolitan Melbourne, aspirations like these are often unattainable for youth in regional areas.

“With the challenges of the last two years it is more important than ever that key priority projects within our region are funded,” he said.

“This will assist in the economic recovery of our region and others across the country.”

Read the complete Ask of Government document, or a two-page summary version, at the links below.