Advocacy and partnership priorities are based on the adopted decisions of Council. These decisions include the strategic objectives in the 2021-25 Council Plan, Annual Budget, other strategic documents and partnerships, and items identified and resolved at Council meetings.
Our advocacy priorities include a set of initiatives which are outlined for a point in time for us, as a Council, to focus our efforts on delivering the community’s priorities.
These priorities fall under the Council Plan 2021-25 themes of ‘Our Communities’, ‘Our Place’, ‘Our Environment’, ‘Our Economy’ and ‘Our Council’.
See below for more information on these priorities, under the Council Plan themes.
Ongoing funding to implement programs to improve physical and mental wellbeing strategies, support services that encourage participation and raise awareness about housing (older women and homelessness), respect and social inclusion (ageism, volunteers, carers), and communication and information (digital literacy, access to lifelong learning).
The ask: $1.5 million annually
Project cost: TBC
Victorian Government contribution: $500,000 annually ($500,000 Council funded)
Federal contribution: $500,000
Project status: Further scoping to be informed by Stage 2 of East Gippsland’s home care funding service review
Immediate action to address the lack of housing in the region in the short to medium term through the provision of temporary housing, pending reconstruction of housing lost during the Black Summer Bushfires. Also the replacement of and provision expanded social and affordable housing opportunities for longer term residents and generally, an increase in social housing in the region.
The ask: $25m minimum Big Build investment (benchmarked against the minimum investment for other similar municipalities), including immediate investment in Mallacoota to address short to medium term needs.
Victorian Government contribution: $25m
Project status: Various
Victorian and Commonwealth Governments commit to supporting bushfire recovery services at least until year five, with a particular focus on wellbeing related services such as mental health support, community recovery and resilience and economic recovery.
The ask: Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to commit to supporting bushfire recovery services at least until year five.
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal Government contribution: Yes
Project status: Commitment announced
We are seeking support to lead a partnership to positively impact the delivery of a range of youth-led services, activities and programs for young people in East Gippsland and Wellington shires.
The ask: $3m total ($1.5m for East Gippsland and $1.5m for Wellington Shire Council)
Project cost: TBC (anticipated to approximately align with funding amount sought)
Victorian Government contribution: $3m across East Gippsland and Wellington shires as above.
Federal Government: Black Summer Grants
Project status: Project partnerships have been identified, scope defined and funding committed.
If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Commitment is sought for a policy change that allows funding to be allocated to asset renewal that is linked to need and regional characteristics, rather than funding be allocated based on competitive allocations; and for this funding to be provided annually for the term of government.
The ask: $3-5 million
Project cost: $3-5m
Federal Government contribution: Yes
That $9 million be committed to the widening, lengthening and strengthening of the Bairnsdale Airport runway to meet new CASA standards, recognising the importance of this runway in the emergency management and air patient transfers and for the region and to prepare for future commercial service opportunities.
The ask: $9m
Project cost: $9.4m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal Government contribution: Yes
Project status: Underway
$9.9 million in Federal Government funding committed in February 2022.
Commit $4m for detailed design and planning to ensure that the project is ‘shovel ready’ for future investment.
The ask: $4m
Project cost: $40m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Project status: Concept design only
Council is seeking funding to realign seven roads to intersect at a 90-degree angle with Bullumwaal Road at a cost of $250,000 per intersection.
The ask: $1.75m
Project cost: $1.75m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Project status: Not commenced
That the Victorian Government supports budget requests put forward by the Department of Transport to invest in significant upgrades to this strategically important road to connect communities and industries and ensure uninterrupted access to the high country from East Gippsland.
As this is a Victorian Government asset, Council has not costed the improvements but understand that the Department of Transport has provided a detailed funding submission to Treasury and Finance. We therefore seek a commitment to this submitted budget bid.
The ask: $2m
Project cost: TBC
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
To overcome market failure, the Victorian Government provides direct intervention and sufficient funding for Council to facilitate planning for and rezoning of industrial land in Lakes Entrance.
The ask: State Government financial contribution towards planning for and rezoning of industrial land in Lakes Entrance
Project cost: $250,000
Victorian Government contribution: $100,000 ($50,000 Council contribution + in kind)
Federal contribution: $100,000
Project status: Earlier reports have identified investigation areas, including site constraints and opportunities areas as a basis for the project.
Commitment is sought for two phases of this project:
Phase 1: Detailed design and route development - $700,000
Phase two: Widening of road to meet current safety standards and installation of a safe cycling route between Marlo and Orbost - uncosted but estimated at $10 million.
The ask: $10.7m
Project cost: $10.7m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
That funding is committed for all planning studies and the detailed design for the duplication of the Mitchell River Bridge, in recognition of its importance to regional connectivity and interstate freight routes.
The ask: $40m
Project cost: $40m
Victorian Government contribution: Funding commitments are being sought
Federal contribution: Funding commitments are being sought
Project status: Not commenced
Review Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) policy and application in Victoria to streamline access to funding, enable appropriate betterment, broaden the coverage of essential infrastructure and ensure appropriate consideration of hazardous trees and other hazards that emerge over time.
N/A
That the Victorian and Australian governments provide funded programs to support people in bushfire prone areas to retrofit homes to be more resilient to reduce the risk of loss, economic impact and cost to governments following natural disaster.
The ask: $10m for East Gippsland
Project cost: $10m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal contribution: Yes
Project status: Concept
If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Council invests annually into a local sustainability program that includes climate change mitigation, however this investment alone is not enough. Council is seeking matching funding of $250,000 pa to co-invest in a program that covers 10% of Victoria. This will enable Council to work with the Victorian Government to meet its net zero emissions commitment by 2050.
The ask: $250,000
Project cost: $500,00
Council contribution: $250,000
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal contribution: Yes
While not a Council asset or responsibility, the importance of this asset to the Gippsland Lakes and its many communities makes this a high priority for East Gippsland Shire Council.
The ask: $20 million
Project cost: $20m
Victorian Government contribution: $20 million
Project status: Planning
That the Victorian Government make a commitment that at least 50% of East Gippsland Shire Council’s landfill levies collected will be provided back to Council, on a non-competitive model, to implement a range of waste management initiatives.
The ask: 50% of annual landfill levies
Project cost: 50% of annual landfill levies
Victorian Government contribution: 100%
Funding to support weed and pest management in Council controlled areas to be increased to $500,000 p.a. and an ongoing commitment made to this funding. In addition to this direct funding increase, further funding is needed for State Government (Department of Agriculture and DELWP) led education and coordination roles and programs for land management groups and the community environment sector, along with funding and support for private land owners. Holistic funding of all components of effective weed management is required in East Gippsland.
The ask: $500,000 p.a.
Project cost: $500,000 p.a.
Victorian Government contribution: 100%
Project status: Ongoing program requires increased investment
If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Council is seeking $300,000 to identify an appropriate site for a regional performing arts centre and undertake the detailed design of the facility.
The ask: $300,000
Project cost: Unknown
Victorian Government contribution: Funding opportunities being sought
Federal contribution: Funding opportunities being sought
Project status: Not commenced
Commitment to funding infrastructure upgrades to increase the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure during disasters, improve the quality and extent of coverage to support regional living, provide equitable access to services and digital technologies to improve productivity in agriculture, and meet demand during holiday periods.
The ask: Equity of access and affordability of digital connectivity services for people across East Gippsland, despite their geography or population constraints
Project cost: Ongoing funds required through Federal, State and telecommunications service providers
Victorian Government contribution: Connecting Victoria funding
Federal contribution: Regional Connectivity Funding, Black Spot Funding
$1.3 million for the development of an agricultural training/education hub at the Bairnsdale Airport to support learning, growth and training for the region’s largest sector, which can transform to new practices and products.
The ask: Funding support to establish the Gippsland Agricultural Group Education Centre
Project cost: $1.3 million
Project status: Planned, shovel ready
$984,650 in Federal Government funding committed in February 2022.
That the Victorian Government extends the development of local development strategies to other communities that have been historically dependent on the native timber sector and have not yet made an effective transition. That the Victorian Government provides funding for specific projects arising out of the local development strategies for Orbost, Nowa Nowa and Swifts Creek.
The ask: $500,000 for each additional community, plus project funding
Project cost: TBC
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Project status: Ready based on work underway in other communities
If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Government review the EES framework and that the process takes into account the financial and resource burden on local government in engaging and representing local interests.
That an independent expert group be established and funded by the proponent or Victorian Government to ensure the technical integrity of the EES, ensuring it is accurate and complete before exhibition and providing a technical resource during the inquiry. This will streamline the process by getting the information right up front.
Financial support for local government and community members to participate in the EES process and support from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to establish a local government working group.
Funding details
The ask: Process review
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
If you would like more information or wish to speak with Council about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au