General News
11 March, 2021
Moyne launches advocacy agenda
IMPROVEMENTS to roads, health care and community infrastructure have been identified as key priorities for Moyne Shire Council advocacy for the next two years.
IMPROVEMENTS to roads, health care and community infrastructure have been identified as key priorities for Moyne Shire Council advocacy for the next two years.
Launched this week, Moyne Shire’s Advocacy Priorities 2021-22 plan highlights nine key priority projects and issues which council will focus on in its advocacy program.
Moyne Shire mayor Daniel Meade said advocating on behalf of the community to politicians and government departments was an important role of local councils.
“Our role as councillors is to influence decision makers to support policy change and investment in our communities,” he said.
“To enable this we need to be clear about what our advocacy priorities are and have a planned, coordinated approach to advocacy that brings about action and results.
“As we look towards recovery from the economic impacts of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to have a strategic approach that takes advantage of the opportunities available from both the state and federal governments.”
Cr Meade said Moyne Shire had already seen recent results, with almost $5 million allocated to Moyne through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
“Council will continue to advocate for the projects we know the community needs and wants, as well as for the funding to make these projects a reality,” he said.
“This is particularly important in the lead up to the state and federal elections.
“Safer and efficient roads, better access to health care in the north of the shire, and improvements to recreation facilities are just some of the priorities that we’re working towards for Moyne.
“We also need to continue to work with government on issues that impact our region such as housing and labour shortages and the renewable energy projects.”
The new advocacy plan was presented to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio at a councillor and executive workshop in Melbourne last week.
Moyne Shire chief executive officer Bill Millard said the workshop was part of council’s increased focus on seizing opportunities to meet with government ministers.
“Council held a two-day workshop with councillors and the executive team, aimed at identifying strategic objectives for this term of council,” he said.
“The workshop was purposely held near parliament to better enable MPs to join the group to discuss topics specific to Moyne.
“We were fortunate to be joined by Ms D’Ambrosio to discuss the future of renewable energy projects, as well as senior officials from the Department of Transport, the chief executive officer of Regional Development Victoria and local members Roma Britnell, Bev Macarthur and Richard Riordan.
“These meetings come after a successful trip to Canberra last week where we were able to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to thank him for the $5 million in LRCI funding while also discussing future opportunities for Moyne, particularly in his role as Federal Transport Minister.”
The key priorities identified for Moyne’s Advocacy program are:
Issues:
Renewable energy; and
Housing and labour shortages.
Projects:
Terang Mortlake Health Service – redevelopment of its Mortlake campus ($6.665 million);
Rail Trail Upgrades ($4 million);
Griffiths Street Bridge and Port of Port Fairy Masterplan implementation ($8 million);
East Beach rock wall ($5 million);
Implementation of the Dairy Supply Chain Study recommendations for local road improvements ($5 million);
Princes Highway West ($12 million); and
Koroit township renewal ($5 million).
For more information on council’s advocacy program, including a copy of the Advocacy Priorities 2021-22 plan, visit moyne.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Advocacy.
