East Gippsland Shire Council has unveiled its advocacy priorities for the 2026 Victorian Election, identifying 12 key areas for investment or reform that it says are critical to the region's future.
The priorities span community infrastructure, emergency services, environmental management, economic transition, health, housing and roads, and will form the focus of Council's advocacy with all major political parties and candidates in the lead-up to the election.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said advocacy is a fundamental part of Council's role.
"Council delivers a wide range of local services and infrastructure, but many of the things our communities need most - major roads and road maintenance, hospitals, emergency services, housing-enabling infrastructure and economic development - rely on investment and policy decisions made by other levels of government," Cr Ashworth said.
"Our responsibility is to make sure East Gippsland has a strong voice and receives its fair share of government investment.
"These priorities have been developed from our Council Plan, strategic planning and the needs our communities have consistently told us about. They represent the projects and policy changes that will have the greatest long-term benefit for East Gippsland."
To strengthen these priorities Council is working alongside the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to consolidate our advocacy position and drive a clear message to Government about the needs of regional communities. Collectively our voices are consistent calling for increased regional road funding, housing, fairer infrastructure investment, and stronger support for regional communities especially those impacted by economic transition.
Council also partners with neighbouring councils to advocate for major regional priorities, including transport, health, economic development and infrastructure investment that benefits the wider Gippsland region.
The priorities identified by Council for the 2026 Victorian Election are:
• $1.5 billion statewide regional road maintenance package
• Reform of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy
• Improved investment in public land management
• More focus on forestry transition
• A new emergency department for Bairnsdale Hospital
• Revitalisation of the Bairnsdale CBD
• Improvements to traffic capacity on Princes Highway East - Bairnsdale to Lucknow
• Drainage upgrades to improve flood resilience in Lakes Entrance
• A new indoor stadium for Lakes Entrance
• A new CFA station for Lakes Entrance
• Drainage infrastructure to unlock housing development in Lucknow
• Intersection upgrades to support growth in Paynesville
"These are practical projects backed by evidence, planning and strong community need," Cr Ashworth said.
"We will continue to seek the support of our current elected representatives and election candidate, our local Members of Parliament, and our regional and local government partners, to secure the investment and policy changes East Gippsland needs.
"Investing in East Gippsland means investing in a region that feeds the nation, welcomes millions of visitors every year and is home to resilient communities that deserve the same opportunities as every other part of Victoria."
More detail on Council's election priorities can be found at eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/council/advocacy.
In addition to these priorities, Council will also continue advocating on the range of projects and programs that matter to East Gippsland communities, as outlined in the East Gippsland Shire Council Plan 2025-2029.
