Koroit township renewal tops advocacy list
Published on 16 September 2022
Moyne Shire Council has released its top five advocacy projects ahead of November’s State Election.
The Koroit Township Renewal is Council’s number one priority for funding, with Key Worker Housing implementation, upgrades to narrow arterial roads including the Heywood--Woolsthorpe Road, further funding for a master plan for the former Koroit Hospital site and funding to implement the Port of Port Fairy Masterplan rounding out the key funding asks.
Along with projects, council has also listed key issues that need attention from the state, including planning for renewable energy, regional workforce shortages, upgrades of the Princes, Hopkins and Hamilton Highways, Dairy Supply Chain roads and the East Beach Land fill sites.
Mayor Ian Smith said the list has been presented in meetings with Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell MP, Labor Candidate Kylie Gaston and Independent Candidate Carol Altmann, with further meetings to follow.
“We’ve made it very clear that these are our major priorities and the priorities of our community ahead of the state election,” Cr Smith Said.
“Koroit Township renewal is our main priority – it’s a fully costed and scoped project and is ready to start as soon as funding is achieved. Koroit is booming and we want to make sure it has a streetscape that is modern and fresh.
“It’s a $10 million project, which can be broken down into five stages. The central and western business areas in Commercial Road is the priority with new footpaths, underground power lines, street trees and furniture. That stage is around $7 million.
“Council has already budgeted around $1 million to the project and it has strong support from the community – Council and the community are both very keen to get started.”
Cr Smith said the project was also raised with Federal Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain MP in Canberra recently and with Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney.
He said roads were featured strongly in Council’s advocacy ask which reflected the communities feedback.
“We have almost 3,564 kilometers of Roads in Moyne and 600 kilometers of those are managed by the State Government. We are asking both major parties and all candidates to make a significant commitment to improving the condition of state controlled roads.
“Council has made significant investments in the roads under our control in this year’s budget, with $10 million being spent on road and bridge upgrades – we are asking the State Government to do their bit and make improvements to the roads they manage.”
Cr Smith said funding to implement the Moyne Shire component of the Key Worker Housing report would help alleviate one of the key issues the region is facing in terms of worker and accommodation shortages.
“Moyne would welcome funding for projects across the region,” he said.
Cr Smith said assisting Moyne Health Services with master planning for its Koroit site was vital to ensure ongoing delivery of community health services in the rapidly growing Koroit community.
He said the Port of Port Fairy Masterplan was also a key project aimed at enhancing both the commercial and tourism aspects of the Port.
“It’s about increasing the number of berths available, persevering and enhancing heritage features and improving access an amenity for what is arguably one of the state’s most picturesque working ports,” he said.
“That plan has had significant community consultation and feedback and again, we are keen to start implementing the plan.
“We think we have a list of projects that will help our communities continue to and help encourage further investment while addressing key regional issues.”
Cr Smith said ahead of the State Election, Council would use every opportunity it had to highlight the advocacy agenda to ensure all parties and candidate were left with no doubt about Moyne’s priorities.
“Advocacy is vital and we’ve had some great success over the past six months that has come as a direct result of the relationships we have built with Governments. The $1.2 million to implement the East Beach Masterplan, $1.6 million to build new changing facilitates at the Gardens Oval from The Victorian Government and $11 million to upgrade roads in the north of the shire from the Federal Government are examples of that work and those relationships with those projects ready to begin soon.
“We are continually advocating for our key priorities, right across the year, not just at election time and it pays dividends for our community.
“Aside from our own priorities, we are also advocating strongly on behalf of the region as part of the South West Victoria Alliance on issues that impact the wider region.”
Moyne’s Top five advocacy priority projects:
- Koroit Township Renewal implementation - $10m (full implementation)
- Key worker Housing implementation - $5 million
- Narrow Arterial road upgrades (Heywood - Woolsthorpe and Macarthur - Penshurst Roads) - $10 million plus
- Former Koroit Hospital Masterplan - $200,000
- Port of Port Fairy Masterplan implementation - $6 million
Key advocacy Issues:
- Renewable Energy planning policy and a better deal for host communities
- Regional Workforce Shortages
- Princes Highway, Hopkins Highway and Hamilton Highway upgrades
- Dairy Supply Chain road upgrades
- Renewal of former East Beach landfill sites