Council
12 March, 2026
Council prepares advocacy motions
CLIMATE change, rural funding, roads, artificial intelligence and funding to renew swimming pools will form Moyne Shire’s advocacy at the National General Assembly.
Councillors voted at the February Ordinary Meeting of Council to endorse five motions for submission when the Australian Local Government Association hosts the National General Assembly in June.
The first motion will be to establish an intergovernmental approach to create a national coastal hazards adaption strategy to mitigate the risk associated with sea level rise and increasing extreme weather events.
The second will be to establish ongoing rounds of the Active Transport Fund with a dedicated rural funding stream.
The third advocates for the reinstatement of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program which provides regional councils with funding for roads, paths, bridges and community facilities.
The fourth calls on the federal government to adopt an artificial intelligence and cyber security assurance framework.
The final motion calls on the government to establish an ongoing fund aimed at the renewal, upgrade and operation of local government swimming pools.
Councillor Myra Murrihy said the motions were comprehensive in representing the needs of council.
“This is our opportunity to advocate for local issues affecting people in a national way,” she said.
“It’s our way to get some advocacy from the Federal Government.
“I would like to thank the officers for their tireless work and pulling these together.
“There are guidelines every year, there are themes that you have to sort of mould the motions into and they’ve done an amazing job.
“I’m really looking forward to having these discussed at the National General Assembly in Canberra – hopefully Moyne can make a bit of noise on the federal stage.”
The motion was seconded by councillor Karen Foster, who said she believed the motions represented some of the biggest issues impacting residents.
“I think these motions address a number of very big, complex issues that impact all of our lives,” she said.
“The first one challenges coastal councils to deal with coastal hazards associated with our changing climate, not least of which is the alarming cost around that.
“It also includes roads and road safety, artificial intelligence and cyber security.
“I think it’s great that we can take this leadership on these issues and join with our colleagues across the country in addressing issues that affect all of us.
“I look forward to your successful debating at the National General Assembly, mayor.”
Councillor Susan Taylor spoke in favour of the motions, saying she believed they were practical.
Moyne Shire Council mayor councillor Jordan Lockett also spoke in favour of
the motion.
“I think these are the best ones we’ve ever put up so congratulations to the officers,” he said.
“A lot of work has gone into this.
“It’s not just something that’s been whipped up today.
“It’s been a lot of back-and-forth, that goes with any report, but in particular with this I think we’ve grasped something of national significance but hugely significant to the great shire of Moyne.”
The motion was carried unanimously