GBAC advances regional priorities at Parliament House

Published on 23 June 2026

The Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) has advanced its regional advocacy agenda at Parliament House, meeting with Ministers, Shadow Ministers and policy advisers to progress key priorities for regional Victoria.

The delegation forms part of GBAC’s ongoing advocacy program, building on the recent launch of its 2026 State Investment Priorities and its coordinated effort to secure long-term investment in regional infrastructure, housing and essential services.

GBAC Chair and Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the delegation provided an important opportunity to reinforce the needs of regional communities with decision-makers in Melbourne.

“GBAC is a united voice for our six member councils, bringing together shared priorities that reflect the real pressures across our region,” Cr Hargreaves said.

“At Parliament House, we made the case for urgent and sustained funding to address those pressures, drawing directly on evidence and the lived experience of our councils and communities.”

GBAC represents the City of Ballarat, Moorabool Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Pyrenees Shire Council and Central Goldfields Shire Council - a region of more than 225,000 residents, forecast to grow to 277,000 by 2036.

Discussions focused on GBAC’s 2026 State Investment Priorities across four key areas: transport, housing, digital connectivity and enabling infrastructure.

Cr Hargreaves said the delegation reinforced the need for a coordinated approach to support sustainable regional growth.

“We appreciated the opportunity to engage with members from all sides of Parliament,” Cr Hargreaves said. “These are long-term regional priorities that require sustained attention and investment beyond any single political cycle.”

Cr Hargreaves said GBAC’s advocacy would continue well beyond the Parliament House delegation.

“This is a continuing conversation,” she said. “Today was about ensuring regional Victoria’s priorities remain clearly on the table, and that work will continue.”

GBAC 2026 State Investment Priorities:

As the Victorian State Election approaches on 28 November, GBAC is calling for commitments to practical, long-term investment across seven priority areas:

1. Reinstate the Country Roads and Bridges Program

2. Expand regional and rural public transport

3. Increase funding for digital connectivity

4. Increase funding for Regional Planning Hubs

5. Fund enabling infrastructure to unlock housing and industry

6. Maintain freight access through Sunshine Station

7. Reinstate the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund

8. Abolish the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy.