Warrnambool Mayor Cr Tony Herbert has been elected chair of the Great South Coast (GSC) group of councils.
Cr Herbert replaced Southern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr Mary-Anne Brown who retired from the role at the GSC annual meeting in December.
Cr Herbert, who will occupy the role until Local Government elections in October, said the work of the GSC continued in earnest.
"At the December meeting the GSC board agreed on its priorities and our requests for the 2020 State Budget will be forwarded to all members of parliament," Cr Herbert said.
"We'll also seek meetings with key MPs and government ministers to progress our priorities."
GSC priorities can be found at www.greatsouthcoast.com.au
They focus on jobs, workforce and economic development, digital connectivity as an enabler of education, transport and regional roads and health.
"These areas of advocacy are key to Warrnambool and the South West communities remaining the most livable region in Australia as determined by global research company Ipsos," Cr Herbert said.
Reflecting on her time as chair Cr Brown said the GSC had undertaken an enormous amount of work on behalf of its communities over the past two years and set up the profile, research and advocacy to take the priorities forward.
"I am confident in the work and rigour behind the priorities and thank my colleagues the mayors of Moyne, Corangamite, Warrnambool and Glenelg for their cooperation and commitment to the region along with our independent directors valuable contribution," Cr Brown said.
The Great South Coast Group is an alliance of government, industry and community working collectively for residents of the Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool municipalities.
