Council pushes for action on roads, rail and agriculture

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a range of local priorities and opportunities impacting residents, businesses and communities across the municipality. Mayor Madeley emphasised strong advocacy was essential to ensure the region’s needs were understood by the decision-makers in Spring Street.

“Wellington is full of opportunities, but to make the most of them and address the challenges we face, we need all levels of government working together,” Mayor Madeley said.

“Conversations like this are a valuable chance to raise the issues that matter most to our community and to advocate for the projects, services and investment needed to support our region's long-term growth and prosperity.”

Discussion topics included concerns about the deteriorating condition of key regional and freight roads, increasing speed restrictions and congestion through Traralgon, which are impacting freight efficiency, road safety and economic productivity across eastern Victoria.

Council reinforced its ongoing concerns about local governments being forced to collect the State’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, despite councils having no role in determining its rates or deciding how the money is allocated, and its disproportionate impact on rural communities.

The CEO and Mayor also called for improvement rail services to Sale, including increasing service frequency, speed and reliability, reducing travel times between Sale and Melbourne, and committing to a long-term upgrade of the Gippsland rail corridor.

Council further advocated for a funding commitment and delivery timeframe for the Sale College redevelopment, and immediately progressing the sale of the former Sale Police Station site to unlock economic activity, investment and job creation in one of the area's most strategically important locations.

Mayor Madeley and Mr Morcom highlighted the growing challenge of maintaining and renewing recreation and tourism infrastructure in the face of declining State investment, from the High Country to the 90 Mile Beach. As rate capping places significant constraints on Council’s ability to fill funding gaps, they called for renewed investment in Wellington's outdoor recreation and tourism assets.

Importantly, the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Wellington's agricultural sector. Council highlighted the impacts of rising fuel costs, increasing input costs and ongoing commodity market pressures on local businesses and producers, advocating for policies that strengthen farm productivity, resilience and long-term growth.

“Our farmers do an incredible job feeding communities and driving our local economy, but they’re facing some significant pressure at the moment,” the Mayor said.

“We want the government to back our local farmers with better infrastructure, training and innovation, without burdening them with unnecessary paperwork and red tape.”

Wellington Shire Council will continue engaging with representatives from all levels of government to advocate for projects and initiatives that support the local community, its economic development and the municipality's future prosperity.