Cardinia Shire Council is stepping up its advocacy efforts, calling for urgent investment in the infrastructure and services needed to support one of Victoria's fastest growing communities.
With the Advocacy Agenda 2025–29 now in place, Council has submitted its priority projects for consideration in the 2026–27 Federal Budget.
The pre-budget submission included the following key advocacy priorities:
- Cardinia Life regional basketball and gymnastics stadium redevelopment: co-investment from the Victorian and Australian governments is sought to deliver the $60 million stage one redevelopment through an equal three-way funding partnership.
- Lang Lang truck bypass: $57 million in funding is needed for a dedicated bypass for heavy vehicles that connects South Gippsland's quarries to the South Gippsland Highway.
- Strategic road sealing package: co-investment from the Australian and Victorian governments is required to seal priority unsealed roads across the shire to improve emergency access, community safety, and climate resilience.
- Parks and open space package: co-investment from the Australian and Victorian governments is needed to deliver three critical open space projects that provide safe, inclusive recreation opportunities for young people and families across Cardinia Shire's growth corridor.
- Officer District Park: $7 million to deliver stage two.
- PB Ronald Reserve, Pakenham: $10 million for stage one.
- McMullen Recreation Reserve, Officer: $12.6 million.
These key priorities will headline Council's advocacy campaign in the lead up to the November 2026 State election, along with:
- Advocating for improved bus services and public transport connections across the shire to reduce car dependency, connect isolated communities to essential services and make it easier for people to commute to work.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen said the priority projects would support the community's growth and address a number of critical needs across the shire.
"Redeveloping Cardinia Life is one of our community's most critical needs. It was a first‑class facility when it opened in 2006, but two decades on, it's bursting at the seams," Mayor Owen said.
"The population it serves has more than doubled in that time and major upgrades are needed to keep Cardinia Life functional, let alone support growing demand for basketball participation.
"We're also advocating for vital road and parks projects – from the Lang Lang truck bypass and sealing priority unsealed roads, to delivering essential open space projects for local families – that will help create a safer, more connected and healthier Cardinia Shire."
Mayor Owen said Council continued to advocate for improved public transport across the shire to meet the needs of our growing population.
"We're hearing loud and clear from our community that public transport in our growth areas simply isn't keeping pace. The viral image of residents waiting for a bus in Officer — with nowhere to sit and no shelter from the sun — shows the very real strain facing people who rely on bus services every single day."
Mayor Owen said Cardinia Shire desperately needed additional funding and support to keep up with demand for much-needed infrastructure and services.
"Without further investment, growth areas like Cardinia Shire risk falling behind," Mayor Owen said.
"Cardinia Shire needs sustained investment in infrastructure and services to support one of Victoria's fastest growing populations, which is expected to grow by almost 40,000 over the next 10 years.
"We're committed to delivering for our rapidly growing community, but we can't do it alone.
"We need other levels of government to partner with us so we can secure the infrastructure our community deserves now and into the future."
Mayor Owen said Council remained committed to advocating for what the Cardinia Shire community needs.
"These projects will ensure residents can access safe roads, quality recreation facilities, reliable transport and open spaces that support healthy, connected communities."
