Greater Shepparton City Council has welcomed the Victorian Government's announcement that the Shepparton and Mooroopna bus network will be reviewed, describing it as an important first step towards addressing long-standing public transport challenges across the municipality.
The review is planned as part of the Victorian Government's broader bus network review program. The review has been a key priority in Council's 2026 Victorian State Election advocacy program and follows sustained advocacy by Council, local businesses and community members for improvements to public transport services.
Community consultation is expected to take place in early 2027 and will examine how people currently use local bus services and how the network may need to change to reflect current and future travel patterns.
Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers, thanked the Victorian Government and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes for recognising the need to review the local bus network.
"For more than 15 years, Greater Shepparton's bus network has remained largely unchanged despite population growth, new residential development, expanding industrial areas and increasing demand for reliable public transport," he said.
"Our community, businesses and workforce have been telling us for years that the current network no longer reflects how people live, work and travel across and within the municipality. We welcome this review and the opportunity for the community to help shape a network that better meets their needs."
Cr Akers said it was important the review considered public transport connections across the whole municipality, not only services within Shepparton and Mooroopna.
"People living in our smaller towns also need reliable connections to employment, education, healthcare, services and each other. The review should take a municipality-wide view and ensure the network is fit for purpose for all Greater Shepparton communities," he said.
Cr Akers said the review would only deliver meaningful change if its findings were backed by funding to implement improvements to routes, service frequency and timetables.
"The review is an important and welcome first step by the Victorian Government, but consultation alone will not improve people's daily journeys. It needs to be followed by a clear funding commitment to implement the changes identified through the review and community consultation," he said.
"A modern bus network is essential for a growing regional municipality. Council will continue advocating to ensure the review leads to practical improvements and the investment needed to deliver them."
Improved public transport is critical to workforce participation, access to healthcare and education, economic growth and social inclusion across Greater Shepparton.
Council looks forward to working with the Victorian Government, transport agencies, local communities and stakeholders throughout the review process.
As Victoria heads towards the 2026 State Election, Council will continue advocating 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.
