Council & Business
1 April, 2025
Councils lobby for federal funding
Greater Ballarat region leaders have united ahead of the upcoming 2025 federal election to seek bi-partisan commitments to drive investment in infrastructure and services for their communities, including the Central Goldfields.
Mayors and CEOs from the six Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) have agreed on regional priorities that require federal action including housing, transport, digital connectivity and local government financial sustainability.
The quarterly GBAC committee meeting took place in Daylesford on Friday, where the City of Ballarat and Central Goldfields, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees shires discussed changes required to drive an equitable share of funding in the region.
GBAC chair and Ballarat mayor Tracey Hargreaves said regional communities are growing rapidly and require additional strategic investment and policy support.
“We are seeking bi-partisan support for measures that will ensure our residents and businesses have access to adequate housing, transport, digital connectivity and infrastructure services required to drive this region’s prosperity,” she said.
“This is about fairness and equality for the increasing number of people who are choosing to live, work and spend their time in our regional and rural areas.”
GBAC is urging all political parties to commit to the following principles to address key challenges:
Housing: urgent investment in critical infrastructure connections in new housing developments.
Transport: upgrading major roads, enhancing public transport links, and improving freight networks.
Digital infrastructure: investment to accelerate mobile and broadband service expansion to bridge the regional connectivity gap.
Financial sustainability: a fairer funding model that reflects the true cost of providing local government services.
“We need the Federal Government to ensure a fairer distribution of funding so that our region can continue to grow and thrive,” Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said.
“Securing federal and state government investment has never been more important for local government and so we are excited to present our priorities for this region.
“Together we know what we need to help support our communities and our hope is that by joining together with our neighbouring councils the Federal Government will stand up and take notice.”
GBAC discussions have focused on securing Federal Government infrastructure funding to help unlock housing supply in growth areas and ease pressure on Melbourne’s urban sprawl.
A multi-year infrastructure investment program would support regional housing development and deliver critical services like water, sewerage and roads.
Cr Hargreaves said upgrades to major transport corridors including the Western and Midland Highways would improve safety, reduce congestion and support economic growth.
“Transformative infrastructure projects and regionally significant priorities are critical to ensuring regional industries and communities can thrive and achieve their potential,” she said.
GBAC is also calling for a Federal Government commitment to create a regional digital infrastructure fund to address patchy mobile coverage and slow internet speeds which are impeding access to essential services like telehealth.
The GBAC alliance covers more than 12,000 square kilometres and was established to address historical underfunding and to secure the infrastructure and services necessary for sustainable growth.