General News
28 May, 2026
Council presents election priorities
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has presented its election priorities through a series of important meetings over the last week.
Alongside other South West Victoria Alliance (SWVA) councils, deputy mayor Laurie Hickey and chief executive officer (CEO) David Rae met with Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell and Shadow Minister for Planning, Housing and Building and Tourism and Major Events David Southwick in Warrnambool to outline the region’s shared priorities ahead of this year’s state election.
Cr Hickey said discussions focused on the policy and investment needed to support economic growth, strengthen resilience and improve liveability across south west Victoria – including unlocking housing and industrial land, supporting industry development, attracting workforce, and securing key investment.
“On Wednesday, CEO David Rae and I represented Corangamite when South West Victoria Alliance members met with David Southwick and Roma Britnell, he said.
“It was an opportunity to explain our region’s priorities ahead of the 2026 Victorian State Election.
“SWVA is calling for a $1 billion Regional Growth and Liveability Fund to simplify existing programs and provide long-term certainty for regional communities.
“Southwest Victoria is a core contributor to Victoria’s regional economy – particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, energy and tourism – but growth is being constrained by infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages and housing supply challenges.
“This new fund would unlock productivity, jobs and private investment.”
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Corangamite Shire Council is presenting three main priorities – infrastructure funding for the Camperdown Production Precinct, the Theatre Royal precinct redevelopment and an investment into tourism accommodation linked to the 12 Apostles Visitor Centre.
Regional asks, with benefits for Corangamite, include a $5 million investment in a Childcare Centre of Excellence to train bachelor-qualified educators locally, funding for kindergarten and early years infrastructure upgrade and reforms for the windfall gains tax and a new sewerage program for small towns.
Other asks include major highway maintenance, safety improvement on state-owned arterial roads, a local roads fund to support councils’ critical routes and increased rail capacity.
Councillors also met with Wannon Water board chair Helen Scarborough and managing director Steven Waterhouse last week to discuss regional priorities such as the Camperdown Production Precinct, trade waste and future opportunities for Corangamite Shire and the community.
Councillors also met with Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur to further progress council’s advocacy priorities.
To learn more about council’s advocacy work, visit corangamite.vic.gov.au/Advocacy.