Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News
Advocacy continues to deliver with Hospital and Back Beach Road funding
Historic announcement of $115 million of funding for the Wonthaggi Hospital upgrade and $9.7 million for the upgrade of the Phillip Island Road/Back Beach Road intersection.
Bass Coast Shire Council joined the community to celebrate today’s historic announcement of $115 million of funding for the Wonthaggi Hospital upgrade and $9.7 million for the upgrade of the Phillip Island Road/Back Beach Road intersection.
These two projects are listed on Council’s advocacy priority document titled ‘Representing our community: shaping our future’, a document which Council has been sharing, promoting and presenting to ministers, local members and industry leaders at every occasion.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, explained that these priorities, which were adopted by Council in September 2017, are the direct result of the Council Plan 2017-2021 community engagement campaign ‘Help shape a better Bass Coast’.
"Our advocacy priorities came about through our ‘Help shape a better Bass Coast’ campaign, the largest community engagement Council has ever undertaken," Cr Rothfield said.
"We asked the community what their aspirations were, and where they wanted Bass Coast to be in four years’ time.
"A significant proportion of the feedback related to state or federal issues such as health, education, transport and major roads indicating two things: firstly that the community wanted and expected Council to step up and be pro-active and have an opportunistic approach to advocating on these issues, and that for the community, the fruition of these projects is pivotal to the growth of Bass Coast.
"The recent funding announcement in Wonthaggi demonstrates brilliantly the results of a pro-active approach from Council and our strong partnerships."
From our advocacy priorities we now have four funded projects, totalling an investment from the State Government of over $150 million. These projects are:
- Wonthaggi Secondary College new senior campus: $25 million (expected completion February 2020)
- Wonthaggi Highball Stadium: $6 million (expected completion February 2020)
- Phillip Island Road/Back Beach Road intersection upgrade: $9.7 million
- Wonthaggi Hospital upgrade to sub-regional Status: $115 million
The remaining priorities Council are advocating for are:
- Transfer of current Wonthaggi Secondary College site to Council
- Cowes Jetty Replacement
- Wonthaggi North East Precinct Infrastructure
- South West Gippsland Transport Strategy
- 24 Hour Pharmacy Care and Nursing Facility in Cowes
"The advocacy priorities are a direct reflection of what is important to our community. For this reason they may change as the priorities of the community change and evolve," Cr Rothfield said.
"Our job as Councillors and representatives of the community is to continue to listen, ask questions, and act on your behalf, demanding the standards of healthcare, education, roads, transport, and other services our community need and deserve."
For further information on advocacy or to view Council’s Advocacy Priority document visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/advocacy. Or contact Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.
Harriet Shing, Don Paproth (Chair BCH Board), Cr Brett Tessari (Deputy Mayor BCSC), The Hon Daniel Andrew (Premier Victoria), Cr Pamela Rothfield (Mayor BCSC), Jan Child (CEO BCH)
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: support@gippsland.com
Latest News
Mishandling of Commonwealth Games finances leaving Victorians with $589M cancellation cost condemned by Martin CameronMore frontline police officers in Gippsland urgently needed to deter criminal activity
Applications for Victorian Landcare Grants for West Gippsland open until 30 April 2024
Barry Beach Marine Terminal anticipates pivotal shift in maritime operations to soon host world largest construction vessel
Corinella Boating and Angling Clubhouse needs funding gap bridged so serving multiple community groups and continue
Luke Connell appointed Director of Planning and Development for Baw Baw Shire Council
Latrobe City engages with Net Zero Authority to advocating transition plan and help secure regional prosperity
Martin Cameron presses Minister Ros Spence for clarity amid club concerns in Latrobe Valley on sport voucher program
New fresh food tax bill threatens higher living costs and will be detrimental to Gippsland families and farmers
To avoid disillusionment in Federal Labour government its housing and power promises must be fulfilled