Councils pitch key projects for federal funding

INFRASTRUCURE upgrades, environmental projects and town character preservation are top of local council’s wishlists ahead of the coming Federal Budget.

The City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire Council have both lodged their priorities to the Federal Treasury, while regional adovacte G21 says it is continuing discussions with Canberra ahead of the spending plan anticipated to be handed down in early May.

Building budgets is a key theme of COGG’s submission, which calls for a boost to funds that help construct facilities for sporting, recreation and community use.

Transport is also high on the city’s agenda, including support for a push to improve transport connections between regional cities, and boost road repair resources.

“To further improve rail connections, the City supports the Regional Councils of Australia’s call for a Federal commitment of $10 million to develop a Regional Transport Plan for Victoria to deliver safe, fast transport links between regional cities,” Mayor Trent Sullivan said.

“We also support the RCA’s call to the Federal Government to match the $165 million Road Repair Blitz, provided by the Victorian Government as part of its flood recovery package.”

COGG has also requested the Commonwealth explore state and federal partnerships for flood mitigation following the major events that impacted Geelong and other parts of the state late last year.

Cr Sullivan said the 2026 Commonwealth Games was also a funding priority in coming years.

“We would benefit from a strong financial contribution from the Federal Government to support the delivery of the Commonwealth Games, which will provide significant international exposure and national economic benefit.”

Meanwhile, Surf Coast Shire Council and G21 indicated they didn’t make submissions to the recent process, but said they were continuing discussions with Canberra to explore funding opportunities.

“Surf Coast Shire Council did not make a specific submission on the federal budget – instead it maintains an active advocacy program which seeks to highlight local opportunities to both the federal and state governments,” acting executive manager of strategic projects and partnerships Darryn Chiller said.

Surf Coast’s latest advocacy list, released in July last year, indicated environmental leadership and township character enhancements were its top priorities.

Specific projects under these umbrellas include improving the health of the Anglesea River, Karaaf Wetlands rehabilitation, strengthened planning controls around climate change, and local projects such as the Winchelsea Arboretum Trail.

G21 CEO Guilia Baggio met with Treasury officials last month during their visit to Geelong, and will be part of the delegation that G21 sends to Canberra to meet with MPs and Ministers in March.