Council advocates for fair investments and local priorities
Murrindindi Shire Mayor, Cr Damien Gallagher, has returned from Canberra where he joined three fellow Victorian Mayors as part of the Municipal Association of Victoria's (MAV) inaugural Mayoral Delegation to the Federal Parliament. The visit provided an opportunity to put the concerns of local councils directly before Federal decision-makers.
The advocacy campaign coordinated by the MAV is built around five pillars:
- Making Community Infrastructure Happen – delivering the infrastructure that growing and connected communities need.
- Making Safer Roads Happen – connecting communities and supporting a safer and more productive Victoria.
- Making Fairer Energy Happen – engaging communities in Victoria's energy transition.
- Making Resilient Communities Happen – future-proofing communities to withstand natural disasters.
- Making Local Democracy Happen – supporting stronger, safer communities and countering disinformation.
Mayor Gallagher took the lead on the Resilient Communities pillar, calling for a dedicated "Building to Withstand Fund" to support pre-disaster investigative works and prioritise upgrades for high-need infrastructure.
"Our residents know the cost of more regular, more intense disasters: bushfires, floods, storms. Rebuilding the same as before is wasteful. If we build back stronger and smarter now, we will save taxpayers millions and reduce the disruption to communities," Cr Gallagher said.
The delegation also highlighted climate risks, noting that Murrindindi's electorate of Indi is among the most climate-vulnerable in the country, and neighbouring Nicholls ranked the most exposed, with 26.5% of properties projected to be uninsurable by 2030, rising to 80-90% in some townships. Council made it clear that rural communities cannot be left to shoulder the risk without stronger support.
Across two days, the Mayors met with Government, Opposition and Crossbench MPs and advisers.
The primary aim of this advocacy was simple: to ensure our voices are heard in national debates, to put Murrindindi on the map for decision-makers in Canberra, and to press the case for fair investment.
It is a credit to the Murrindindi community and Council's team, that our Shire was invited to be part of this delegation. Through its thorough examination of the issues and its practical, solutions-focused approach, Murrindindi Shire Council has earned the respect of governments and agencies across Australia.
On returning from Canberra, Mayor Gallagher and Council CEO Livia Bonazzi met with Victorian Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Nick Staikos, to restate Murrindindi's local priorities.
Council made a strong case for:
- Fair and sustainable funding reform, including adoption of recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Services
- Exemption from the Windfall Gains Tax for Council-led, community-benefit projects such as the Eildon key worker housing initiative
- Reforms to rural health funding so residents can age in place with equitable access to services
- Overhaul of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy so rural ratepayers are not unfairly burdened by land value charges that far exceed income capacity
Alongside these reforms, Council outlined project priorities including:
- Activating the Lake Eildon Master Plan, including a $49 million tourism and economic growth project
- Investment in safer roads and $10 million for rural road rehabilitation across 720km of unsealed roads
- $8.8 million for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing and industrial land in Yea and Alexandra
- $1.4 million to establish a Regional University Study Hub in Murrindindi to support local students and workforce needs.
Mayor Gallagher said while no formal commitments were secured, the advocacy ensures Murrindindi's voice, and that of rural councils across Victoria, is being heard at the highest levels of government.
"We're not seeking handouts. We're asking for fair treatment and recognition of the unique challenges small rural shires face. Our communities deserve a fair go, and Council will keep making that case until we see change," Cr Gallagher said.
