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Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth

Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund.

By news@gippsland - 5th October 2026 - Back to News

Wellington Shire Council is backing a statewide campaign calling for greater investment in rural communities, following the launch of Rural Councils Victoria's Invest in Rural Victoria campaign last month. Councillor Catherine Bannerman, who represents Rural South East on the Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) Committee, attended the campaign launch in Swan Hill alongside representatives from rural councils across Victoria.

The statewide campaign proposes $1 billion fund for regional growth and dedicated funding to help smaller councils address mounting road maintenance challenges

Rural investment push

Speaking at the 16 September Council meeting, Cr Bannerman said there was an excellent turnout with up to 35 of the 36 member councils represented at the forum. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss key issues affecting rural councils and their communities and deliver a strong message to the State Government ahead of the November election on the need for increased investment in rural and regional infrastructure. Discussions also highlighted previously promised funding that is yet to be delivered.

Cr Bannerman said the campaign was focused on securing a fair share of government investment for rural Victoria, rather than seeking special treatment. She highlighted that people in regional and rural communities rely on the same services and infrastructure as those living in larger municipalities. Whether it's roads, sporting facilities, libraries or community spaces, these assets are vital to our communities and require sustainable investment. With rising costs, they cannot continue to be funded primarily through local ratepayers alone.

Regional growth funding

A key part of the campaign is a proposed $1 billion Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund, which would support projects that strengthen local communities and drive regional growth. The campaign is also calling for dedicated funding to help address the growing road maintenance challenge facing smaller councils.

Cr Bannerman concluded that the cost of poor road conditions is currently being borne by individual road users with increased vehicle repair and maintenance expenses, rather than by the State Government which has responsibility for maintaining much of the road network.

"Rural councils continue to experience significant issues with potholes and road deterioration with concerns these issues are not being addressed in a timely manner through existing State Government funding arrangements," he said.

Regional investment priorities

Council’s work aligns strongly to Rural Council Victoria’s election priorities with a significant emphasis on its Roads and Productive Corridors priority, advocating for investment in freight routes, the removal of transport bottlenecks and improved road safety.

Council also supports the broader election priorities put forward by RCV and will continue to advocate for stronger investment in regional and rural Victoria, while encouraging residents to do the same. More information about the campaign is available at Rural Councils Victoria website.

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
  The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• Latrobe City endorses draft Moe Activity Centre Plan to guide future town centre growth and development
  Latrobe City Council endorsed the draft Moe Activity Centre Plan for public exhibition, outlining long-term CBD growth, planning reforms, improved public spaces and transport, with Planning Scheme Amendment C155 exhibition proposed for late 2026.
• Latrobe City recognised among Australia's most affordable regional centres for businesses, investors and skilled workers
  Latrobe City welcomes research ranking Traralgon-Morwell third nationally for affordability, highlighting lower costs, skilled workers, infrastructure and investment opportunities across emerging industries.
• New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
  A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland.
• Bass Coast invites community feedback on new decade-long nature positive strategy for environmental protection and restoration until 15 October 2026
  Bass Coast Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Nature Positive Strategy, guiding environmental protection, restoration and enhancement across the region over the next decade.
• International partners visit Gippsland to explore energy diversification and regional development opportunities firsthand together
  One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions.
• Gemma Rendell and Darren Chester urge Gippslanders to add vegetables daily through new healthy eating campaign
  The "Get the Edge. Eat More Veg" campaign launched in Sale, urging Gippslanders to add one extra vegetable served daily while supporting local growers, jobs and health.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• Latrobe City extends Phoenix partnership, securing NBL matches and delivering sporting, community and economic benefits
  Latrobe City Council has extended its partnership with South East Melbourne Phoenix, securing two NBL matches across the next two seasons, delivering elite sport, community engagement and economic benefits.
• Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
  Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities.
• Katie Noonan brings intimate 'Alone But All One' tour to Cowes for regional Australian audiences on 10 October 2026
  Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com.
• The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
  The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply.
• Moe Town Hall seeks resident organisation to activate historic venue through regular community arts programs until 30 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council has opened expressions of interest for an organisation to establish an ongoing residency at Moe Town Hall, delivering regular arts, cultural and community activities while keeping the venue accessible.
• Latrobe City opens nominations for 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame honours, nominate by 11 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame, recognising outstanding community contributors and sporting achievers. Entries close September 11, 2026.
• Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
• Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
  A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation.
• Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding.
• Matt Canavan warns Australia is sleepwalking towards food crisis as population growth outpaces domestic food production
  Matt Canavan has warned Australia is sleepwalking into a food security crisis, with population growth outpacing food production. He says projected shortages could affect pork, butter, eggs, apples, chicken and rice by 2040.
• Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
  Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
• Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
  The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding.
• Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
  Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund.
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers upgraded sporting facilities, accessibility and community infrastructure
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has undergone a $1.39 million redevelopment, delivering accessible cricket facilities, upgraded amenities, improved drainage, resurfacing and safety improvements through state government and Latrobe City Council funding.