Greater Shepparton City Council has welcomed a $95 million election commitment announced by the Victorian Coalition to deliver Stage 2 of the Goulburn Valley Health Integrated Cancer Centre, describing it as a significant milestone in a long-running community campaign to secure better cancer care for northern Victoria.
The Integrated Cancer Centre is a key priority within Council's 2026 Victorian State Election advocacy program and has been the subject of sustained advocacy by Council, Goulburn Valley Health and community stakeholders.
The proposed facility would bring cancer diagnosis, treatment, care planning, support services, wellbeing programs and radiotherapy services together under one roof, helping address a major healthcare gap in regional Victoria.
Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers said the announcement represented an important step forward following years of advocacy to highlight the inequity faced by cancer patients across Greater Shepparton and northern Victoria.
"This commitment demonstrates the strength of a united community voice and follows years of advocacy by Council, Goulburn Valley Health and many passionate community advocates who have worked tirelessly to put this issue firmly on the agenda," he said.
"Council has been working closely with GV Health, local Members of Parliament, government representatives and key stakeholders to build support for an Integrated Cancer Centre because we know the need is real and the impact will be transformational."
"Access to specialised healthcare should not depend on where you live. For too long, patients and families across northern Victoria have been required to travel significant distances to access cancer treatments and services that are available in other regional centres," Cr Akers said.
"This is the first election commitment we have seen towards this project, and we welcome it as a positive step toward delivering the comprehensive cancer services our region deserves."
Goulburn Valley Health is currently the only major regional public health service in Victoria without an Integrated Cancer Centre at its Shepparton campus, resulting in specialist cancer services being delivered across multiple locations and radiotherapy unavailable on site.
Cr Akers said Council welcomed commitments from all candidates and political parties that align with the municipality's priority projects, including additional commitments to the Integrated Cancer Centre.
"We will continue working with all candidates, political parties and governments to secure the investment needed to deliver this vital project for our community," he said.
"The Integrated Cancer Centre remains one of the most significant healthcare priorities for our region and we welcome support from any candidate or political party prepared to back better healthcare outcomes for northern Victoria."
As Victoria heads towards the 2026 State Election, Council is continuing to advocate for its full suite of priority projects across healthcare, transport, housing, workforce development and economic growth. These priorities are available on Council's State Election Priorities website here.
