Council endorses priority advocacy projects

Published on 30 March 2026

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Moyne Shire Council has formally endorsed five priority projects and policy positions it will take to candidates and parties ahead of the November 2026 Victorian State Election.

Council will also support regional, rural and state advocacy partnerships respectively through its associations with the South West Victoria Alliance, Rural Councils Victoria and Municipal Association of Victoria. 

The projects and policy positions, drawn from the Moyne Action Plan 2025-2026, represent the Council’s most shovel-ready, evidence-based investments. They span road safety and productivity, community infrastructure, youth services, and a policy framework to ensure Moyne communities benefit from the renewable energy transition on their doorstep. 

"Moyne Shire makes a significant contribution to this state in agriculture, tourism, and increasingly in clean energy. These projects reflect what our communities need. We’re not asking for anything that isn’t justified on the numbers and on the evidence,” said Mayor Jordan Lockett. 

Endorsed Priority Projects 
Council has endorsed the following five investments as its priority asks to the State Government: 

  • Bartons Road, Nullawarre Upgrade - a critical freight and agricultural corridor linking dairy, livestock and producers to key markets. The road also serves as an interconnector for the Great Ocean Road. The road carries significant heavy vehicle loads and is overdue for renewal. 
  • Woolsthorpe-Mortlake Link - a 33km east-west corridor sitting at the heart of the VicGrid South West Renewable Energy Zone. The road is essential for the construction and ongoing maintenance of approved energy projects, and for agriculture. 
  • Port Fairy Footbridge - a pedestrian connection that becomes critical once the Gipps Street Bridge replacement works commence.  
  • Koroit Youth Space - a dedicated outdoor youth facility for Koroit, addressing a service gap for young people in one of the shire’s fastest-growing communities. 
  • Community Benefits Policy for Alternative Energy Projects - a formal policy framework requiring energy developers to deliver tangible local benefits. Moyne communities are hosting significant renewable energy infrastructure and must share in the returns. 

“Each of these projects has a clear, evidence-based case. The road upgrades are about productivity and safety, not amenity. The footbridge responds directly to planned infrastructure works. The youth space meets the needs of a growing community. And the community benefits policy reflects a simple principle: if a community hosts significant energy infrastructure, it should share in the return,” said Cr Lockett.

Council intends to progress a separate funding case to both Federal and State governments for aquatic infrastructure across the shire based on the findings of the Aquatic Facilities Strategy currently in progress.

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