Election priorities identified

With less than 100 days until the state election, Baw Baw Shire Council is calling on all candidates and political parties to recognise community projects make the biggest difference to people's lives.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Kate Wilson said the countdown marked an important opportunity to highlight critical projects in need of funding that supported the shire's future growth, safety and liveability.
"Over the next 100 days, we will ramp up advocacy to all candidates from both sides of politics on a clear set of endorsed priorities, asking them to respond with meaningful commitments.
"Population growth in Baw Baw Shire is straining existing infrastructure and services and there is only so much that council can achieve with a limited budget and increasing financial pressure," Cr Wilson said.
Earlier this year, council endorsed shovel ready advocacy priorities ranging from key intersection upgrades, business attraction, paths and trails, sporting infrastructure, support for growing peri-urban regions, and fairer access to financial assistant grants.
Key advocacy priorities ready for delivery include:
Intersection upgrades
Three critical intersection upgrades are needed to keep locals safe and the traffic moving, including a roundabout at Weebar Rd in Drouin, traffic lights at Burke St and Howitt St in Warragul, and traffic lights at Princes Way and Wellwood Rd in Drouin.
Paths and trails
More investment in path and trail infrastructure to deliver a myriad of benefits to communities ranging from social and recreational through to economic. Council is calling to make more funding streams available to assist councils to invest in their communities' health, wellbeing and liveability by expanding their paths and trails networks. Additionally, a further $7 million is needed to fund the planning, development and construction of a second stage of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail (from Neerim South to Noojee).
Business attraction
A call for greater investment in regional business, tourism, and recreation projects to support local economic development.
Sporting infrastructure
Sports infrastructure funding and policy initiatives to support the necessary sports infrastructure required for a growing community.
Financial assistance
Council is asking the Federal Government to restore Financial Assistance Grants to one per cent of federal taxation revenue whilst maintaining existing funding streams and to continue annual increases in Roads to Recovery (R2R) funding to bring the funding to a level where councils can properly maintain and repair their road networks, and to keep pace with rising costs.
Peri urban status
Recognition of peri urban councils in policy and funding programs to support peri urban councils to plan, prioritise and appropriately fund major infrastructure.
New West Gippsland Hospital
Council is calling on the Labor Party to re-commit to delivering a new hospital if elected.
"These priorities are not the only investments our community needs, but they are a strong place to start. They are ready to progress, can deliver real impact and give us an opportunity to act now rather than wait for pressures to escalate," Cr Wilson said.
"We welcome any opportunity to discuss local priorities with election candidates and political parties over the next 100 days during this important time for Victoria."
In partnership with councils across the state, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) also has a clear message to election candidates with a new campaign, "The future is local. The time is now."
This campaign calls on all candidates contesting local electorates to commit to funding the gap in community infrastructure, support safer, more engaged and more socially cohesive communities, fast track investment in roads, public transport and active transport links and ensure community voices are at the heart of the energy transition.