From the Mayor's Desk

Community

Why is Council talking about the Federal Election? It’s a question I’ve been asked by residents and now is a great time to chat about Council’s government lobbying work.

As a fast growing regional municipality in a rate-capping environment, Council is keenly aware that more government investment is necessary to deliver projects to cater to the growing population of our Shire.

We meet regularly with all our State and Federal MPs and we lobby in Spring Street and Canberra, as well as lodging every funding grant available for our projects and services. Our Council is an active member of the G21 alliance with City of Geelong and neighbouring councils; and Central Highlands Mayors and CEOS with City of Ballarat and surrounding regional councils.

And then every few years, there is a State or Federal Election and with these big elections come the unique opportunity to attract more funding for our Shire, in the form of election promises. Council welcomes every pledge in our Shire – we don’t support any side over another and we actively seek bi-partisan commitments to all our local projects.

This Federal Election, Golden Plains is in the enviable position of having significant voting influence in one of the most marginal seats in Australia. We are determined to make this advantage count, not just for the people in Corangamite but for all residents of Golden Plains Shire, and we’re pleased that four of Council’s Priority Projects have received election pledges in the past week.

Every dollar that the successful Federal Government assigns to deliver key infrastructure in Corangamite towns saves Council money, and those funds can be redirected to deliver more projects in our smaller communities and the townships in the north of the Shire.

The Federal Election is a great time for both major parties to show their commitment to the people of Golden Plains Shire. We’ve been sharing these election promises with our residents on our website and social media, so they have all the important information before them when they vote. And after the dust of the Federal Election settles, we’ll keep talking to our local representatives to make sure the government delivers on the promises made. 

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