top of page

C4GS Confirms Victorian Election Priorities

C4GS

24 Aug 2022

C4GS Confirms Victorian Election Priorities

The Committee for Greater Shepparton has confirmed water, health, housing, education, energy and freight and inclusion in the Commonwealth Games as its top policy and infrastructure priorities for the forthcoming state election. 


Water policy  


CEO Lindy Nieuwenhuizen said the incoming Government will need to hit the ground running to navigate the final stages of the current Murray Darling Basin Plan. 


“The MDBA has confirmed that more than 80% of the water savings have already been secured. The final 20% includes 450GL of water that is subject to the socio-economic safeguards, and around 6-7% that’s linked to projects that either need more time to be delivered or projects that, with the benefit a decade of hindsight, are unlikely to deliver their intended savings.” 


“Buybacks may seem an easy way to secure the final 20% but they will unwind the 80% that’s already in the bank, and completely ignores the smarter solutions that can achieve the same environmental outcomes,” said Lindy.  


“Negotiating the best way forward for the environment and basin communities will require strong, intelligent leadership from our local member and from the Victorian Government.  


Completion of GV Health redevelopment 


The Committee is also calling on the incoming Government to commit to the completion of the entire Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment masterplan. 


“Firstly, our health services need to keep pace with the growth and service needs of a catchment that extends from the Riverina to the northern outskirts of Melbourne, with increasingly complex physical and mental health needs. 


“Secondly, we need a hospital that offers a safe and efficient workplace that can attract the staff we need.”  


“And third, the hospital redevelopment is key to our region training GPs, nurses and allied health professionals to work in regional areas. The Melbourne Uni school of Rural Health’s Shepparton campus has the capacity to graduate up to 30 rural GPs each year. La Trobe University and GoTAFE provide nursing and relating health courses. These regional training pathways benefit the entire state and all rely on GV Health for placements and clinical training.” 


Housing supply and mix 


The Committee is calling on the Victorian Government to recognise and empower regional areas like Shepparton to rethink and rebalance their housing mix and supply. 

“There’s an obvious nexus between housing availability and our region’s ability to train, grow and retain the workforce to match our region’s tremendous economic momentum and even greater potential.  


“Streamlining planning and approval processes and empowering regional areas to rebalance the mix of housing – if done well – will do more than build houses, it will improve the lives, livelihoods and lifestyles of current and future members of our community and strengthen our industry and businesses.   


Support industry-linked education opportunities 


“Most of our secondary schools, TAFEs and Universities as well as key employers in health, aged care, manufacturing, and ag technical and service industries are within a 5 km radius of Shepparton’s Telstra Tower. It’s about as close as you can get without actually co-locating and so few cities can match this. 


“Were calling on the next Victorian Government to complete the final stages of the Shepparton Education Plan, and to support GoTAFE to lift its trades and tech training facilities. Both initiatives will allow Shepparton to take advantage of this proximity to industry,” said Lindy. 


Support and complement local renewable energy initiatives 


“Within a one or two postcodes our local industry already creates the critical waste and wastewater resources that can generate renewable energy to power our local industry, green gas to fuel our freight industry, and green fertilisers to return for use on our local farms and orchards.   


“We are calling for the next Victorian government to continue the support and funding that is key to our region securing these opportunities and complement our local efforts with investment to reset energy storage and distribution infrastructure to support the transition to renewables,” said Lindy. 


Deliver the Shepparton bypass  


“Shepparton is already the most important intersection on the freight route that links Brisbane to the Port of Melbourne - the busiest container port in Australia with almost 40 percent of all container movements,” said Lindy. 


Victorian government data shows that between now and 2050 Victoria’s freight activity is forecast to double, and possibly triple and a good portion of this increased freight will travel through Shepparton – and at present this means rumbling through he CBD at 40kph. 


“We are looking to the Victorian Government to work with the Federal Government to lock in the now urgent timelines and funding for this critical piece of infrastructure that will ensure Australia’s national freight network can function efficiently and safely,” said Lindy.  


Include Shepparton in the 2026 Commonwealth Games 


“Shepparton Council spearheaded this innovative approach to deliver the Commonwealth Games. And the greater Shepparton community punches well above its weight in so many sports that will feature at the Commonwealth Games,” said Lindy. 


“It makes sense that if the Commonwealth Games is to be a regional games then Shepparton must be have opportunity to share in the promised economic stimulus and legacy benefits,” said Lindy. 


 

 

About C4GS 


Established in 2013, the Committee for Greater Shepparton (C4GS) is a not-for-profit, member-funded advocacy organisation with more than 120 business, community and public sector members.  

Office:

144 Welsford Street,

Shepparton 3630

Mail:

PO Box 603

Shepparton 3632

Flag_of_Australia_(converted).svg.png
Some_image.width-1600.9bc6ad1.jpg
Some_image.width-1600.bcb4ad3.jpg

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country and recognise their continuing connection to the land, water, air and sky; culture and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
bottom of page