Greater Shepparton City Council has been advocating for several important priority growth projects for the region, including the Shepparton Sports & Events Centre, Road Network Resilience Package, and a Regionally Significant Contemporary Public Health Service, all of which failed to receive funding.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, expressed disappointment that the Victorian Government failed to acknowledge the significance of these projects, calling it a missed opportunity for a rapidly growing region that plays a vital role in the state's future.
“The Shepparton Sports & Events Centre is a shovel ready project and a commitment from the Victorian Government would ensure we are one step closer to bringing this important community project to life,” he said.
“Council will continue advocating for these important projects, all of which are needed to cater to the increasing demand on infrastructure, housing and community services as our region continues to grow.”
While the 2025/2026 State Budget does not directly fund Greater Shepparton’s priority projects, it includes state-wide initiatives that will benefit the region, particularly in early years education, health, and public transport, such as public transport being made free for all Victorians under 18, and free on weekends for Seniors Card holders.
Families will benefit, with free kindergarten for three and four-year-olds being provided, as well as dedicated pathway coordinators employed at government high schools to help students find the right course, apprenticeship, or career, ensuring young people are supported when planning their future.
“The State Government have invested in services they should be delivering – health, education, public transport and roads. It is their requirement to deliver on those key services for the state,” Cr Sali said.
“What was missing in the Budget was a line item providing access to funding for proactive regional cities, like Greater Shepparton, who have shovel ready projects which require funding for them to be delivered.”
Cr Sali said the Victorian Government needed to provide this support to enable councils to fast track planning, establish enabling infrastructure, job creation and retention.
“Without a fund like the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, there is a gap in the ability of local governments to diversify the regional economy, enable population growth, and improve liveability, economic and social outcomes for regional Victorians,” he said.
“The introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levy at a time when regional and rural Victorians are experiencing significant cost of living pressures and dry conditions, is another blow which will also continue to further impact regional communities.”
Cr Sali said despite funding being allocated to safeguard the region’s agriculture sector from biosecurity threats, the specific details were yet to be released.
“$7.3 million was allocated this financial year, however this is no detail around what portion of this will support the current Queensland Fruit Fly Goulburn Murray Valley Area Wide Management Program, which is scheduled to finish next month,” he said.
“Greater Shepparton is the Food Bowl of Australia and the impact of this program failing to continue could be catastrophic to our region’s horticulture and agriculture industries.”
Cr Sali said the 2025/2026 Budget allocates a share of $6 million to Shepparton Foodshare to continue the important work they do in providing food to families in need. The Arcadia Fish Hatchery will share in $5.2 million as part of Go Fishing Victoria, while $2.7 million will help fund 30 new regional Youth Prevention and Recovery Care beds from July 2026, including in Shepparton. This will provide treatment, care and support to young people aged 16-25 experiencing mental health challenges and psychological distress. The Goulburn Region Tourism Board, a collaborative initiative between Greater Shepparton City Council, Mitchell and Strathbogie Shire Councils, and the local visitor economy industry, received $700,000 in funding to support the program for an additional two years.
“For the state of Victoria to be strong, you need regional cities like Greater Shepparton to be prospering. More needs to be done by the Victorian Government to ensure this continues,” Cr Sali said.
