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Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election

Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.

By news@gippsland - 10th September 2026 - Back to News

Council is calling on residents to add their voices to advocacy campaigns for major local projects ahead of the Victorian State Election. Council has defined a clear set of projects that we need government support and investment for and as the Victorian State Election nears closer, we need our community’s support to help get these over the line.

Council is urging residents to support advocacy for major local projects, including the Rokeby-Noojee Trail Extension and urgent intersection upgrades

Community advocacy push

There are currently two key asks the community can get behind, these include:

• Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension
• Fast Track Urgent Intersections around Warragul and Drouin

To make participation easy, community members can send pre-drafted letters of support directly to candidates and elected representatives for shovel-ready projects through Do Gooder, Council’s online advocacy platform.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson is encouraging community support and action. "Our voices are stronger together and this is our time to get in front of decision-makers about local projects that matter. We’ve made it easy for people to get involved and show their support. There has already been incredible community involvement in advocacy for key intersection upgrades around Warragul and Drouin with more than 360 letters of support sent to local candidates and elected representatives."

"These letters were a driver in securing the recent funding commitment from the Liberal/Nationals Coalition for the Weebar Road roundabout in Drouin, so we know this collective advocacy works. We must build on this momentum so other parties come to the table and commit to delivering for our community," the Mayor said.

Trail extension funding

Currently, more than 30 letters have been sent by community members in support of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension. The first stage of the popular trail upgrade was completed in August last year refreshing a 15 kilometre section from Rokeby to Neerim. The $4 million first stage included a $3 million investment from the Victorian Government and was strongly supported by the local community.

Council is now seeking $7 million to build on that investment and fund the second stage from Neerim through to Noojee. The Mayor said supporting the trail extension would support the community and boost our local economy. "It will give locals a safe and accessible place to walk, ride and enjoy the outdoors, while attracting more visitors to Neerim South, Noojee and surrounding towns where visitors can support local cafes, shops, accommodation and tourism operators", she said.

Trail project push

An extension would also strengthen connections with regional trail networks, including the Warburton-Walhalla Trail, while supporting economic diversification as Gippsland transitions beyond native timber harvesting.

"Projects like this create new opportunities for our region and help diversify our economy during this time of economic transition. We want to see this project funded and underway in 2027. It’s a project our community supports and one that can deliver lasting benefits for Baw Baw Shire," the Mayor added.

Alongside targeted advocacy efforts, Council continues to promote its key tasks to current Members of Parliament and all candidates contesting the seat of Narracan during the election period. Council welcomes opportunities to meet with candidates and elected representatives to discuss these and other advocacy priorities. For more information and links to support campaigns, go to Advocacy Priorities.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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