More trains, safer roads and money for key projects.
These are just some of the requests included in an “Advocacy Package” from Central Goldfields Shire.
Made public on Wednesday, March 26th, the document is essentially a wishlist detailing what the Maryborough-based council would like to see funded ahead of this year’s state election.
Speaking with Robbo on the Wake Up Call, the Shire’s CEO Peter Harriott acknowledged their package was ambitious, describing it as a “Go Hard or Go Home” approach.
“It’s [worth] about 300 million dollars [in total], and we’re arguing… that there’s been a disproportionate share of the funding and allocation going to major projects in metro Melbourne – we need to get more funds out into regional and particularly, rural councils,” Mr Harriott said.
Among the key funding priorities outlined in the Package are:
- $158.6 million to construct the Southern Wimmera-Northeast Pyrenees Water Pipeline;
- $40 million for a new sewerage system in Talbot;
- $10 million to repair and refurbish the Maryborough Town Hall;
- $8 million to upgrade and preserve the Princes Park Grandstand, and;
- $5 million for Stages 2 and 3 of the Maryborough Heritage Olympic Pool Complex redevelopment.
The document also calls for an increase in passenger trains services to Maryborough, better maintenance of the state’s road network and a greater investment in digital connectivity.
Mr Harriott said the Shire had already begun lobbying the state’s ministers and shadow ministers, and would be “ramping-up” its efforts as the election draws closer.
“It’s going to be quite intense, and I’m sure everybody else is doing the same thing, but you’ve got to be in the game to win it, so we’re going as hard as we can,” he said.
More detail on the Advocacy Package can be found on the Central Goldfields Shire website.
The 2026 Victorian election takes place on November 28th.
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