Swan Hill Rural City Council is urging the Victorian Government to work more closely with Basin communities to ensure the Sustainable Communities Fund delivers meaningful, long-term outcomes for the regions most impacted by Murray-Darling Basin Plan water recovery.
Council, through its membership of the Murray River Group of Councils, is advocating for a stronger partnership approach that places local knowledge and community priorities at the centre of future investment decisions.
The Sustainable Communities Fund was established to support communities experiencing the social and economic impacts of water buybacks, with a focus on community resilience, economic diversification and locally led transition.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the investment must reflect the unique needs and opportunities of each Basin municipality.
"This funding is too important to get wrong. Every community has experienced water recovery differently, and decisions about investment need to be informed by local knowledge and priorities.
"Local government understands its communities, industries and opportunities. We are ready to work alongside the Victorian Government to develop an approach that delivers the strongest possible outcomes for Swan Hill and the broader Basin region," Cr King said.
Council is supporting a collaborative planning process that would identify local priorities and develop tailored implementation plans for each Basin municipality.
"The intent of this Fund is to deliver place-based, co-designed and evidence-based investment. By working together, we can ensure funding creates stronger communities, a more resilient regional economy and long-term benefits for the people most affected by water recovery," Cr King said.
Swan Hill Rural City Council has joined other northern Victorian Basin councils in requesting an urgent meeting with the Victorian Government to discuss the proposed approach and ensure local communities have a meaningful role in shaping the future investment.
"This is not about holding up funding. It is about making sure this once-in-a-generation opportunity creates real and lasting benefits for the people, businesses and communities who have been most affected.
"Getting this investment right means building a stronger, more resilient future for Swan Hill and the broader northern Victorian region," Cr King concluded.
