Advocacy a priority for Council

Published on 27 March 2024

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Advocacy to other levels of government in the interests of our community is an essential and ongoing role of Council.

To strengthen these efforts, at last night’s Council Meeting (26/03), Council adopted the Advocacy Strategy(PDF, 1MB) .

The Strategy focusses on advocacy for improved services and infrastructure delivered by other levels of Government.

Its purpose is different to the recently adopted Priority Projects Plan which advocates for funding for projects delivered by Council.

In developing the Council Plan at the beginning of Council’s term, the community and Councillors identified a number of key areas for advocacy.

Some of these are addressed in other plans and strategies and many are addressed in this draft Advocacy Strategy.

Children and Families

Advocacy for continued investment in Go Goldfields to support the ongoing development of integrated community-led supports and service design for early years.

Jobs and Industry

Advocacy for funding to support a Learning Hub which can promote different educational pathways, such as university, vocational courses, and training to build employability skills.

Digital Connectivity

Ongoing advocacy to ensure upgraded internet in Dunolly and Talbot is well communicated to the community. 

Continued advocacy for mobile and internet upgrades across the Shire.

Transport Connectivity

Ongoing advocacy for more train services during the week between Maryborough and Ballarat. Advocacy for timetable changes to improve links between services.

Affordable Housing

Advocacy and support for developer and community housing applications to State and Federal Government affordable housing funds.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Liesbeth Long said advocacy was a critical part of the work of Council.

“Through our advocacy we are the voice of the community, working to deliver key projects In partnership with other levels of government to meet current and long-term needs.

“We do this regularly through meetings with State and Federal Government representatives, attendance at relevant regional and industry forums and through other engagement opportunities with key decision makers.

“It’s an area we are proud to say we’ve had a lot of success in - we advocated for additional train services between Maryborough and Ballarat and in 2022 additional services were added on weekends.

“We have also been successful in advocating for improved internet services for Dunolly and Talbot and improved mobile services across the Shire.

“The Advocacy Strategy outlines key areas for advocacy that Council will focus on over the next year.”

During 2023/24 Council advocated to State and Federal Government on a number of the priorities outlined both in our Priority Projects Plan and the draft Advocacy Strategy as follows:

Children and Families – Advocacy for ongoing funding for Go Goldfields

Two-page advocacy document developed to support our advocacy efforts.

Meetings held with:

  • Director Stronger Places Stronger People (Federal Program)
  • Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP
  • RDV Regional Director
  • Chief of Staff to State Government Minister for Children

Transport Connectivity

Meetings / discussions held with:

  • Executive Director Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Transport
  • Manager Regional Bus and Coach Service Planning, Department of Transport and Planning

Youth Council undertook a community survey on public transport in 2023 which will provide further evidence to support advocacy.

Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) have confirmed funding from State Government to develop an integrated transport strategy and are advocating for more trains between Maryborough and Ballarat.

Digital connectivity

Successful outcome from applications to Connecting Victoria with Dunolly and Talbot internet infrastructure upgrade to be delivered in 2024.

Meetings held with Connecting Victoria Communications Director, and Opticomm (provider of internet infrastructure upgrade in Dunolly) to assist with community engagement to ensure that the community in Dunolly are properly informed of the opportunity that fibre to the home internet provides. 

Affordable Housing

Letter to Minister for Housing re allocating a proportion of the $1.0 Billion housing fund to enabling infrastructure 

This would contribute to the implementation of Talbot Futures.

Raised at the following forums and discussions:

  • Housing Forum chaired by Premier Jacinta Allen (when Deputy Premier)
  • Regional Package Forum chaired by Harriet Shing MP
  • MAV Loddon Campaspe Regional Meeting chaired by Cr Jennifer Anderson
  • Minister for Instructure, Transport and Regional Development, Catherine King at GBAC launch re using NHIF for enabling infrastructure.

Meetings with developers, Haven Home Safe, Community Housing Ltd and local businesses to assess needs in Key Worker Housing and Affordable Housing.

Development of a Housing Needs Analysis underway to provide data and support for advocacy and grant applications.

Council officers also participate in a range of regional meetings and forums outlined in the Advocacy Plan.

 

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