Following a Council Meeting held on Tuesday 29 April 2025, Ararat Rural City Council has published its Advocacy Program 2025.
The Advocacy Program details the key challenges and projects identified by Council that require external support to progress and benefit the community. This includes seeking government funding or assistance that falls outside current grant opportunities.
With the upcoming Federal Election on Saturday 3 May 2025, and the State Election scheduled for November 2026, timing for the development and implementation of this Program is crucial.
Council's Advocacy Program 2025 focuses on several key priorities for the municipality, including support to deliver more housing, more train services to Ararat, improved access to childcare in rural areas and upgrading kindergarten facilities to address future demand.
Council has also continued to focus on the issues that are of critical importance to the community, including the East Grampians Rural Water Pipeline, advocating against the Emergency Services & Volunteers Fund (ESVF), and delivering local road improvements.
Advocacy efforts will persist beyond the Federal Election and continue to engage both the next term of the Australian Government and the Victorian State Government.
Council's Advocacy Program 2025 is available to view on Engage Ararat.
"Our Advocacy Program is a long-term strategy to secure the best outcomes for our community," says Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison.
"Regardless of election outcomes, we will maintain a strong and consistent voice with both Federal and State representatives, pushing forward on the critical issues that will shape a better future for our municipality."
