Greater Shepparton City Council is continuing to advocate for greater possibilities for the region, with advocacy efforts ramping up ahead of the Federal Election on Saturday 3 May 2025.
Council launched its Greater Shepparton Australian Government Priorities 2025/26 document earlier this month which highlighted three key infrastructure priorities for Greater Shepparton, along with six policy documents, which will collectively contribute to strengthening economic and social activity, and improved liveability for the region.
In a bid to secure funding for important infrastructure projects for the region, Council has sent letters to the Ministers in government and in opposition, and the seven candidates contesting the seat of Nicholls, to ensure the region's priorities are well recognised and understood.
Greater Shepparton is undergoing significant growth, with a current population of 68,873 which is projected to increase by 1.2 percent annually until 2031. Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, acknowledged that while this growth offers substantial opportunities, particularly in economic development, it also presents a range of challenges.
"These challenges include addressing infrastructure needs, such as road and transport solutions, protecting the environment, creating local jobs, ensuring the availability of affordable housing, and supporting industries as they adapt to changing demands," he said.
"Strategic planning is essential to balance these opportunities with the complexities of community growth."
Cr Sali said Council had been proactive in its advocacy efforts both during and before the election period. He said Council's Australian Government Priorities 2025/26 document was carefully considered to outline the investments required from all levels of government to address the critical challenges our region is currently facing.
"Our power lies in partnerships and collaboration, and the ambitious goals we have for Greater Shepparton cannot be achieved by any single organisation. To turn our vision into reality, we must engage, mobilise, and collaborate with all levels of government, the private sector, and the community," Cr Sali said.
"Through focused advocacy and strong partnerships, we are working to secure policy commitments, funding, and decisive action from key decision-makers. This will enable us to deliver projects that make Greater Shepparton a liveable, prosperous, inclusive, and resilient place to live, work, study, play, and do business."
Cr Sali said Greater Shepparton continued to demonstrate that it can deliver on complex projects, with each dollar spent by the Australian Government in the region generating substantial economic activity.
"Given the challenges of the past two years, it is more important than ever that key priority projects are funded," he said.
"These investments will not only support the economic recovery of our region but also enhance the prosperity of regional cities across Australia."
Council's three key infrastructure priorities for Greater Shepparton are the Shepparton Sports & Events Centre, Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package, and Goulburn Valley Health funding.
