State Election advocacy priorities
Published on 28 August 2018
Horsham Rural City Council has endorsed its advocacy priorities ahead of November's State Election with four local infrastructure and three regional projects on the list.
Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said the priorities had been developed based on input from the community as well as service providers and industry representatives.
"Over the next three months, Council will be in a position to advocate for priority projects and services to be funded by the post-election government," Mr Bhalla said.
"Another key consideration has been to focus on important Council projects that are ready to proceed if funding becomes available.
"We anticipate that these priorities help the government, elected representatives, election candidates, government departments and service providers to better understand the critical needs our community is facing and to ensure our service and infrastructure investment needs are supported now and in the future."
The 2018 State Election Advocacy priorities are directly linked to key internal documents: the Council Plan and the 2018/2019 Council Budget.
The priorities are also included in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Investment Plan (2017) and reflect the priorities of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership.
2018 State Election Advocacy priorities for the Horsham Rural City Council:
Council Infrastructure Projects
CBD Revitalisation Stage 1
The Horsham CBD Revitalisation project Stage 1 will enhance Horsham’s role as the economic, cultural and social centre of the Wimmera region, with the revitalised CBD the key meeting place and retail area for a catchment population 55,000 people. The project scope includes a range of elements designed to:
- Modernise the CBD area
- Improve accessibility and walkability
- Remove current hazards
- Create inviting places for people to meet and socialise
- Activate new spaces for businesses and pop-up activities
- Improve public safety
- Provide linkages from May Park on the Western Highway to the river frontage at the southern end of the CBD.
Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange Roofing
Roofing is the priority infrastructure project of the 2018 Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange Master Plan. It will provide significant benefits including:
- Animal welfare – impacting on impact yield, meat quality, and presentation
- Occupational health and safety
- Reduction in cleaning costs
- Improved lighting
- Water capture and re-use
- Maintain competitive and modern facilities
Horsham Aquatic Centre Redevelopment
The redevelopment plan includes four stages, with the first (outdoor 50m pool - filtration, pipework and flat deck) already funded. The remaining stages include accessibility improvements for the indoor pool, a water play area, playground and shade area as well as a hydro pool and gym improvements.
Horsham Town Hall – replacement of heritage floor
The current hall floor is failing and investigation by a Heritage Consultant has recommended the urgent replacement of the original floor in accordance with heritage conservation principles.
Regional advocacy projects
Return of Passenger Rail to Horsham – funding of Business Case
Return of passenger rail to the Wimmera, in conjunction with better rail services to and from Ararat is essential to the ongoing growth of the region’s economy and the wellbeing of our communities which rely on public transport for access to medical services and education.
The Grampians and Barwon South West Region Passenger Services Cost & Feasibility study completed in March 2017 recommended that passenger rail services can and should be returned to the Horsham and Hamilton. The first step in this process is a government funded business case.
Mobile Blackspots
Telecommunications infrastructure in the region must be addressed in order to fix mobile blackspots. This work is essential to the safety of our communities in the event of natural disaster and for the agricultural industry where reliable access to data is key to success.
State-wide Rates Strategy
To advocate for review of funding model for local government including recommended rates strategy.