Moira Shire Council has named six strategic priority areas for Victorian Government investment ahead of the November 2026 state election.
The advocacy document will be presented to all major Victorian political parties, and is designed to address critical infrastructure gaps, community safety concerns and sustainable growth management across Moira Shire.
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM said the advocacy priorities reflect extensive community consultation.
"Our priorities reflect the needs of the community and the conversations we have been having with groups, organisations and stakeholders across the district," Dr Emonson said.
"Supporting these community outcomes is about building a future that aligns with our vision to be a thriving, connected regional community."
Dr Emonson said Moira Shire was experiencing significant growth, with population projected to increase from 30,522 in 2021 to 35,888 by 2046.
"This growth presents many opportunities. However, we also recognise the need for investment to address the challenges that come with this growth," he said.
"Strategic investment from the Victorian Government following the 2026 state election will ensure Moira continues to grow sustainably - creating jobs, supporting housing and services, protecting our natural environment, and strengthening the social fabric that holds our communities together.
"Council is committed to championing our community's needs and priorities. The identified projects and initiatives are essential, practical investments that reduce long-term cost, protect livelihoods and unlock local participation and economic opportunity."
Projects identified include:
- Building sport facilities for the future (Scott Reserve Pavilion, Cobram): The 1970s pavilion contains asbestos and cannot be renovated to meet modern standards or community needs. A new $7 million facility would provide AFL and Netball Victoria-compliant facilities, accessibility features, and emergency evacuation capacity for north Cobram's only community facility.
- Progressing the Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge: The century-old Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge carries 13,000 daily vehicles but no longer meets modern freight and safety requirements, forcing heavy vehicles to take inefficient alternate routes. A new bridge would improve safety, freight productivity and connectivity for the twin towns experiencing rapid growth and 500,000 annual visitors. A joint funding commitment is needed from Victorian, NSW and Federal governments.
- Protecting flood prone communities (Numurkah): Numurkah floods approximately every 18 years, with the 2012 event damaging 93 properties and forcing the hospital evacuation. The
$12.56 million southern levee would complete flood protection for 119 homes and mitigate impacts on a further 760 properties. Federal Government funding of $6.45 million has been received for this project.
- Support to tackle family violence: Moira Shire is experiencing increasing rates of family and domestic violence, with recent data showing one of the highest per capita rates in regional Victoria. Current resourcing creates inconsistent after-hours response across the 4,045 square kilometre region, with potential 1.5-hour delays for remote locations. A new Cobram police station supporting 24-hour operations would enable rapid response and visible community safety presence.
- Supporting safer roads: Moira Shire's road network has a fatal crash rate 33% above the Victorian average, with 12 deaths in 2023 - the highest in 30 years. Priority improvements include $15 million for a Belmore Street bypass in Yarrawonga (28 crashes in 10 years), $5 million for the Numurkah/Naring/Tocumwal Road intersection upgrade, $3.6 million additional intersection improvements, and $2.3 million in school crossing safety upgrades.
- Better education outcomes: Yarrawonga's 18.7% population growth has created critical spatial constraints for the P-12 school operating across two ageing campuses. A proposed
$18 million education precinct would consolidate facilities onto one site adjacent to the new multisport stadium, supporting VCE, VCAL and VET pathways. This would position Yarrawonga as a regional education hub while similar capacity planning is needed for other growing schools within the shire.
