Greater Shepparton City Council proudly launched its Greater Shepparton Victorian Government Priorities 2025/26 today, marking an important step in advocating for our region in the lead up to the 2026/27 State Budget and the 2026 State Election.
In Summary
- Greater Shepparton City Council has launched its Victorian Government Priorities 2025/26, outlining six major projects to strengthen liveability, economic resilience, and regional services.
- Key priorities include investment in the Shepparton Sports & Events Centre, upgrades to the regional road network, and completion of the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment.
- Other priorities focus on a bus network review, strategic planning for a sustainable agricultural future, and the establishment of an Enabling Infrastructure Fund to replace lost regional funding programs.
- Council will use the priorities to guide advocacy efforts in the lead-up to the 2026/27 State Budget and State Election, seeking strong partnerships and government investment to meet the needs of the growing region.
Greater Shepparton is growing rapidly and serves a broader region of over 250,000 people. As a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, health care, and innovation, we face complex challenges - from housing and transport to water security, workforce shortages and environmental sustainability. State investment is vital to addressing these issues and unlocking the region's full potential.
Council is best placed to represent community needs and drive collaboration across sectors. By engaging directly with decision-makers, we aim to secure funding and inform policy that enable Greater Shepparton to be more liveable, inclusive, and resilient.
Council's Greater Shepparton Victorian Government Priorities 2025/26 document highlights six key priority projects for the region which will collectively contribute to our growing population and the need for improved services and facilities.
Shepparton Sports & Events Centre
Investment $32m: Australian Government $15m | Victorian Government $5m | Greater Shepparton City Council $12m
Greater Shepparton offers a range of opportunities to participate in sport and active recreation, with more than 150 local sporting clubs supported by an estimated 15,000 members. The Shepparton Sports Stadium was opened in the early 1970's, and while Council maintains the current Sports Stadium to a high standard with regular investment, the shortcomings of this ageing facility create significant barriers to improving social and economic outcomes for our region.
Council is proposing to develop a regionally and nationally significant sporting, entertainment and events complex that caters for a multitude of users. The staged redevelopment will include construction of four basketball/netball/multi-use national standard compliant courts, show court with seating for up to 3,000 people, a multi-purpose room that can host stadium programming, events and corporate functions, and inclusion of a sports house/administration space for the stadium, event organisers and other sporting users.
"The Shepparton Sports Stadium creates a distinct disadvantage for our region when it comes to attracting significant tournaments and events, in comparison to other regional venues. Its ageing infrastructure and restricted size limits the events we can attract and host in our region," Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said.
"Investment from the Victorian Government is critical to realising the transformation of the Shepparton Sports & Events Centre. This shovel ready priority project will boost our regional economy, enhance the region's amenity and liveability, and encourage participation in active sports and recreation for generations."
Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package
Investment: Seeking funding across multiple projects
- River Road, Kialla (estimated $15m to $20m)
- Ford Road / Wanganui Roads, Shepparton (estimated $7m additional funding)
- Shepparton Alternative Route and Goulburn Valley Highway, Congupna (estimated $20m)
- Toolamba Road / Echuca Road / Midland Highway, Mooroopna
- Inner East Link Road, Shepparton
- Welsford Street, Shepparton
With the loss of the $208 million Bypass funding and a further $130 million cut from the Roads of Strategic Importance program, there are opportunities to advocate to both the Victorian and Australian Governments for the delivery of key road infrastructure projects in Greater Shepparton that will significantly improve our regional road transport network.
Greater Shepparton is positioned at the junction of two major north-south and east-west arterial roads, the Goulburn Valley Highway and the Midland Highway, and is a strategic hub in the national freight and logistics chain supporting freight movements between all capital cities and ports. As our region continues to grow so does the pressure on the local and broader road network. This coupled with the identified increase in population will impede future regional economic growth, reduce liveability and detrimentally impact the amenity and attractiveness of the region.
"The population and growing freight demand on our local roads is increasing, along with the cost of maintaining our local roads. However, despite this, the funding received to assist Council in this maintenance from both the Victorian and Australian Governments has not kept up," Cr Sali said.
"The solution to address Greater Shepparton's existing road limitations and create a more efficient, safer and more resilient network is the construction of a new Goulburn River Bridge, the upgrade of key intersections and investing in road maintenance services for the prosperity of the community and the local economy."
Regionally Significant, Contemporary Public Health Service
Investment: New inpatient and clinical support facilities $440m | Integrated Cancer Centre $90m | Regional Pathology Hub $18m
Completion of the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment is critical to delivering modern, fit-for-purpose health infrastructure. The next stage includes new inpatient wards, a comprehensive cancer centre, and a regional pathology hub - all designed to improve access, reduce patient travel, and support growing demand.
"These upgrades will enhance patient experience, streamline care delivery, and ensure equitable access to high-quality health services. A new funding commitment to complete construction of the full GV Health masterplan is vital to closing the gaps in care in our region and improving access to care and services for residents," Cr Sali said.
Bus Transport Network Review
Investment: Development funding to review, redesign, and implement the network.
Greater Shepparton's bus network hasn't been reviewed in over 15 years, despite major growth in areas like Shepparton, Mooroopna, and Tatura. Current services are limited, with no Sunday operations, poor connectivity to new housing estates, and long travel times (e.g. up to two hours from Tatura to Shepparton).
"A full bus network review and upgrade is urgently needed to improve access for residents, workers, and visitors. Expanded bus services will support regional mobility and deliver a more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable transport system," Cr Sali said.
Adapting to a Sustainable Future
Investment: $250,000 per annum over two years for strategic planning and capability building.
Greater Shepparton faces increasing pressure from water buybacks, drought, and the long-term impacts of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. A strategic, well-resourced transition plan modelled on the successful Forestry Transition Program, is needed to support industry adaptation, protect jobs, and safeguard our role as Australia's Agricultural Powerhouse. This funding will enable planning aligned with the Planning Our Basin Future Together Prospectus and help secure a sustainable future for communities in Shepparton, Mooroopna, and the wider region.
"This is a pivotal moment for the future of our region, and it is critical that we take a strategic, well-resourced approach to planning. This $250,000 per annum contribution over the next two years will enable us to respond to the ongoing impacts of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, the Restoring Our Rivers legislation, and the long-term challenges posed by drought," Cr Sali said.
Enabling Infrastructure Fund
Investment: Establish new grants-based fund supporting infrastructure and economic development.
With the discontinuation of the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, Greater Shepparton and other regional communities lack a dedicated funding stream to support transformative local government and industry projects. A new fund would fast-track planning, enable infrastructure delivery, attract private investment, and create jobs, helping regional cities like Greater Shepparton grow, diversify, and respond to social and economic challenges.
"The Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund was extremely beneficial to regional cities like ours. Since its discontinuance by the Victorian Government, there has not been a suitable replacement package," Cr Sali said.
"Greater Shepparton is at risk of not securing meaningful financial support to plan for and drive long-term regional growth through key economic development projects and community-led projects. A reimagined funding program would lay the groundwork for future growth of our region."
Cr Sali emphasised the importance of strong advocacy and partnerships in helping secure policy commitments, funding and decisive action from key decision makers.
"Our power is in our partnerships and collaboration, and our ambitious goals for Greater Shepparton cannot be achieved by one organisation alone," he said.
"We will continue striving to deliver projects and priorities that will make Greater Shepparton a liveable, prosperous, inclusive, and resilient place to live, work, study, play, and do business."
To download the full Greater Shepparton Victorian Government Priorities 2025/26 document, visit our Victorian Government Priorities webpage by tapping here.
