Advocacy priorities unveiled ahead of Victorian Election
Published on 18 March 2026
Pyrenees Shire Council has unveiled its key advocacy priorities ahead of the 2026 Victorian State Election, calling on all political parties to support critical investment in rural communities.
The priorities include:
- Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Water Supply Project – $5 million
- Beaufort Caravan Park Master Plan – $3 million
- Old Beaufort Primary School Community Hub – $2.6 million
- Mt Cole and Mt Buangor parks bushfire recovery works – completion of government works
- Additional untied funding for roads and bridges renewal – upgrade of under-strength bridges estimated to exceed $10 million
- Increased emergency water supply points – more than $500,000 required for priority locations
- Power upgrades in small towns, such as Avoca – $4 million
- Waubra Recreation Reserve upgrade – detailed planning for facility and netball facility upgrades
- Increased Victorian Government contribution to library services
- Increase to the Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program from $60,000 to $250,000 per year
- Additional direct, untied emergency management funding
- Scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Note: This is not an exhaustive list.
Mayor Cr Damian Ferrari said strong advocacy in the lead-up to the 2026 Victorian Election was crucial to ensure Council remained financially sustainable and able to deliver vital community services.
“The financial pressures facing small rural councils like Pyrenees have been widely documented for many years,” Cr Ferrari said.
“We have a large geographical area with a small population, which means limited rate revenue, very little ability to raise funds outside government grants and charges, and a substantial asset base we are constantly working to maintain.”
Cr Ferrari said Council manages more than 2,000 kilometres of roads and 150 ageing bridges, placing significant pressure on its ability to maintain infrastructure.
He said several factors were affecting Council’s financial sustainability, including cost shifting from other levels of government, increased legislative responsibilities, and the impact of rate capping.
“The rate cap is set at 2.75 per cent for 2026–27, while inflation is expected to rise well above 3.8 per cent in 2026-27,” he said.
“That gap means the cost of delivering services is rising faster than the revenue councils are allowed to raise.”
Cr Ferrari said the Shire had also faced significant challenges from natural disasters over the past decade, including two floods, three fires, a major storm and drought.
An upcoming staff Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and changes to ministerial guidelines relating to service rates and charges were also expected to place extra financial pressure on Council.
“What we desperately need is governments to increase direct and untied grants to councils so we can allocate funding where it is needed most, rather than where other levels of bureaucracy direct it,” Cr Ferrari said.
“Financial sustainability is a key issue for Pyrenees Shire Council and without adequate funding secured through strong advocacy, we will struggle to deliver the services our community needs and expects.”