By Deanne Jeffers
WITH the Federal Election called for May 3, Greater Shepparton City Council is advocating for the region to ensure that the Federal Government invests in the future of Greater Shepparton.
Council launched its Australian Government Priorities 2025/26 document on Thursday, April 3, highlighting some of the region’s challenges and to secure funding for important infrastructure projects.
Three key infrastructure priorities have been highlighted to contribute to the strengthening economic and social activities and improved liveability for the region. These are the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package, and Regionally Significant, Contemporary Public Health Service.
“This is a significant time for us as a community, a regional city, a powerhouse across Victoria and the country,” said Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali. “There will be no surprises as to what our number one community infrastructure priority is, and it is currently the Shepparton Sports Stadium, but we want to make that the Shepparton Sports and Events Stadium.”
Council is seeking $20M investment by the Federal Government to create a regionally and nationally significant sporting, entertainment and events complex that caters for a multitude of users. The redevelopment will allow the region to host large-scale events at state, national and international standards across various sports, building on the region’s reputation as the sporting capital of regional Australia.
Cr Sali said, “This shovel ready priority project will boost our regional economy, enhance the region’s amenity and liveability, and encourage participation in active sports and recreation for generations.”
Improving the road network and realising a new Goulburn River bridge crossing is another critical area the Council is seeking investment. With the loss of the $208M bypass funding and a further $130M cut from the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) program, there are opportunities for the delivery of key road infrastructure that will significantly improve our regional road transport network.
“We’re a freight logistics hub, and we’re proud to be the food bowl of Australia. That means we need to create opportunities for people to come in and out safely, and provide safe entrances,” said Cr Sali.
“The capacity of the Goulburn Valley Highway in and around Greater Shepparton can no longer safely and efficiently support existing traffic volumes. It is important that the existing and proposed transport network is managed and integrated in conjunction with the region’s growth areas through the baking of the Greater Shepparton Road Network Resilience Package.”
Completing the full Shepparton Hospital Redevelopment at GV Health, which includes an Integrated Cancer Centre and Institute of Applied Health Learning, was another critical area identified in the document.
GV Health CEO Matt Sharp said that while the public hospital has done significant work to bolster its workforce, a 10 per cent vacancy rate remains equating to around 225 gaps, which is expected to get worse as the workforce reaches retirement age.
“Our projections in terms of the next 10 years, we’re going to continue to have significant shortages, and that’s going to be in the order of around 200 nurses and around 100 allied health staff, unless something changes,” said Mr Sharp.
“That’s why we need a specialist clinical health school to train people locally, particularly in relation to nursing and allied health roles,” he said. “If we give young people those opportunities to be trained locally, they’re more likely to stay in the area.”
“The Goulburn Valley Institute of Applied Health Learning is a significant priority for us. It will be a state-of-the-art facility for rural nursing and allied health education. It will also complement the existing Undergraduate education that extends into Postgraduate education as well.”
Cr Sali said, “A new funding commitment to complete construction of the full GV Health Masterplan is vital to closing gaps in care in our region. The accompanying Goulburn Valley Integrated Cancer Centre and Institue of Applied Health Learning will ensure our healthcare services meet the demand of our growing community.”
Along with these infrastructure projects, Council has identified six advocacy policies that it is also seeking support from the Federal Government. These are: Bus Transport Network Review, Community Connector Program, Energy Hub Feasibility Study, Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan, Queensland Fruit Fly, and Sustainable Communities.
To download the ‘Greater Shepparton, Greater Possibilities’ document and learn more about Council’s election priorities, visit: greatershepparton.com.au/advocacy/federal2025
