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:
The advocacy priorities were updated in September to reflect new priorities for the region. We have also removed items where our advocacy efforts earlier in the year have secured funding.
A dedicated (non-competitive) funding allocation from the Victorian 'Big Housing Build' to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing stock in the short to medium term, noting pre-existing homelessness has been exacerbated through COVID-19 and lost during the Black Summer Bushfires.
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
Victorian and Australian governments commit to supporting bushfire recovery services at least until year five, with a particular focus on community resilience and wellbeing related services such as mental health support, and support for 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: Funding announced
Funding for awareness campaigns, events and activities to implement programs to improve physical and mental wellbeing strategies, support services that encourage participation and awareness around the focus areas of 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
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 align with funding amount)
Victorian Government contribution: $3m across East Gippsland and Wellington shires as above.
Federal Government: Black Summer Grants
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
That funding is committed for the detailed design of the duplication of the Mitchell River Bridge and design of realignment of sections of the Princes Highway into a road reserve managed by the Victorian Government, in recognition of its importance to regional connectivity and interstate freight routes.
The ask: $40m
Project cost: $40m
Victorian Government contribution: being sought
Federal contribution: being sought
That the Victorian Government provides funding for local governments to review their emergency management strategies and ensures appropriate resourcing allocations.
That $7 million be committed to the development of terminal building upgrades and taxiway improvements. Works would support planned and funded widening and lengthening of the Bairnsdale Airport runway to meet new CASA standards and to recognise the importance of this runway in the management of the emergencies and air patient transfers for the region.
The investment in the complementary infrastructure will support the use of the airport for commercial passenger and freight services.
The ask: $7m
Project cost: $7.7m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal Government contribution: No
$9.9 million in Federal Government funding committed in February 2022 for other works.
Funding to realign seven roads to intersect with Bullumwaal Road at a 90-degree angle at a cost of $250,000 per intersection.
The ask: $1.75m
Project cost: $1.75m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
A policy change that allows funding to be allocated to asset maintenance, and a change to funding programs to see more funding allocated on need rather than competitive funding rounds - a continuation of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund (Australian Government) and reintroduction of the Local Government Community Infrastructure Fund (Victorian Government).
The ask: $3-5 million
Project cost: $3-5 million
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal Government contribution: Yes
Funding to ensure the Marlo Road has the capacity to safely accommodate current and future traffic volumes, and include a walking/cycle path to enhance access to employment, education, health services and major retail centres.
The ask: $10.7 million
Project cost: $10.7m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Review Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 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.
To overcome market failure, the Victorian Government provides direct intervention and sufficient funding for Council to enable planning for and rezoning of industrial land in East Gippsland locations such as Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota.
The ask: $200,000
Project cost: $400,000
Victorian Government contribution: $200,000 ($50,000 Council contribution and $50,000 in kind)
Federal contribution: $100,000
That funds are committed to continue the widening and corner treatments of the Great Alpine Road, recognising the strategic importance of this road to connect community and industries, access to snowfields and mountain biking infrastructure, and provide uninterrupted road access during emergencies.
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
That $800,000 be committed to design and plan for the relocation and expansion of a multi-purpose indoor sports court complex (estimated cost $8-10 million) to cater for the sporting needs of East Gippsland's second-largest town.
Funding details
The ask: $800,000
Project cost: $8-10 million
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal Government contribution: Yes
Commit $4m in funding to undertake the necessary detailed design, costings and feasibility analysis to facilitate sealing the remaining 65km of the road. This will support farming and livestock transport industries, improve social and commuter traffic safety, facilitate and increase in tourist traffic between East Gippsland and the Upper Murray and allow tourists to access the eastern end of the new Great River Road.
The ask: $4m
Project cost: $40m
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
If you would like more information or wish to speak with us about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Funding for pest management to be significantly increased to $500,000 pa and an ongoing commitment made to the funding. Private land managers are adequately supported and funded to manage pests and weeds, and the community environment sector, Agriculture Victoria and DELWP are funded to provide expert advice to landowners on an ongoing basis.
The ask: $500,000 pa
Project cost: $500,000 pa
Victorian Government contribution: 100%
That the Victorian Government makes 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%
In addition to the $5 million allocated to DELWP for the creation of strategic firebreaks, the Victorian Government makes a funding commitment for the ongoing management of these firebreaks.
Support to fund the replacement of critical marine infrastructure at the entrance to Bass Strait, Lakes Entrance.
The ask: $20 million
Project cost: $20 million
Victorian Government contribution: $20 million
That the Victorian Government commits to an ongoing allocation of an initial $2 million per annum for the management of seawall replacement and coastal hazards. Regular and ongoing funding for local government to assist with the management of Crown land foreshores and inundation management.
The ask: $2 million pa
Project cost: $30 million
Council contribution: $250,000
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal contribution: No
The Victorian Government provides Council, as Crown Land manager, an initial $1 million per annum over the next four years to:
The ask: Locked-in amount of $1 million pa plus additional resources
Project cost: TBC
Victorian Government contribution: TBC
Federal contribution: TBC
That local government and the private sector are provided access to funded programs to implement a net zero emissions target and environment strategy actions so Council can help the Australian and Victorian governments' meet their commitment to a net zero emissions by 2050.
The ask: $250,000 pa
Project cost: $500,000 pa
Council contribution: $250,000
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal contribution: Yes
Financial support for a full audit of the health of the Gippsland Lakes, building on the work of the already-committed one-year $350,000 project assessing the vulnerability and sensitivity of the RAMSAR-listed wetlands.
The Victorian Government develops and implements a multi-disciplinary, decentralised approach for natural resource management policy to support the local management of natural resources in coastal and mountain areas across the state.
If you would like more information or wish to speak with us about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
$600,000 to implement the next phase of the masterplan to transform the current Council-owned site into a true collaborative education centre.
The ask: $600,000
Project cost: $600,000
Council contribution: $250,000
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
Federal contribution: Yes
The Victorian Government to finalise funding for the upgrade of Bairnsdale Secondary College. Provide additional funding and support for regional students having to relocate for tertiary education.
$300,000 in funding support to identify the appropriate space for a regional performing arts / arts centre and for the detailed design of such a facility.
The ask: $300,000
Project cost: Unknown
Victorian Government contribution: Funding opportunities being sought
Federal contribution: Funding opportunities being sought
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
That the Victorian Government replaces the practice of clear-fell native timber harvesting as soon as practical with a new approach to silviculture that maintains or improves forest health and reduces vulnerability to the impacts of bushfire, while also providing sawlogs for timber processing. Extends the development of Local Development Strategies to impacted communities that have not yet made an effective transition. Supports the use of forest resources by a range of other forest users, including tourism and recreation.
Access to housing, and availability at a reasonable price, is a barrier to East Gippsland businesses securing the workforce they need to operate and grow. Access to funding is required to support provision of suitable land and infrastructure to support housing. There is an opportunity for partnerships to support increased worker accommodation.
Supporting the visitor economy through investment in parks and state forest to strengthen visitor offering and maintenance, and increased capacity for private operators.
That the Victorian Government works with the Australian Government to continue the temporary reduction of fuel excise for East Gippsland Shire Council. Provide additional funding to Council through the annual General Purpose Grant allocation in recognition of Council's costs in providing services to 10% of Victoria (geographically) and high reliance on fuel for service delivery and maintenance functions into remote areas, to lessen impact of fuel increases on organisation.
If you would like more information or wish to speak with us 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, and that an independent expert group be established and funded by the proponent or Victorian Government to ensure the technical integrity of the EES. Support from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to establish a local government working group that has a focus on improving processes and outcomes for community and local government throughout the mine licence application process.
Funding details
The ask: Process review
Victorian Government contribution: Yes
That the Victorian Government considers the volatility in CPI when setting rate caps and engages with the local government sector in advance of the next setting of the rate cap.
That the Victorian Government fully fund school crossing supervision and not impose costs on ratepayers and residents for a service that is unrelated to core local government functions.
If you would like more information or wish to speak with us about any of these Advocacy priorities, please call us on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
Council supports a high quality, low volume native timber harvesting industry where our communities continue to thrive, forests have multiple uses and biodiversity is protected.
While recognising there are a wide range of views in relation to native timber harvesting, Council is concerned about the impact of the Victorian Government’s decision to cease native timber harvesting by 2030 on businesses, workers and the communities of East Gippsland.
Council advocates that the practice of clear-fell native timber harvesting be replaced as soon as practical with a new approach to silviculture (utilising thinning and select harvest) that maintains or improves forest health and reduces vulnerability to the impacts of bushfire, while also providing sawlogs for timber processing and supports the use of forest resources by a range of other forest users, including tourism and recreation.
Council adopted the position paper on 16 August 2022.