Local government delegates met with Ministers and senior advisors last month, when Greater Shepparton City Council led a two-day advocacy delegation to Parliament House in Melbourne to champion key priorities for the region.
Led by Mayor Shane Sali, the delegation included representatives from GV Health and the Committee for Greater Shepparton who presented a comprehensive advocacy document outlining shovel-ready projects designed to stimulate economic growth, enhance productivity, and attract investment across Greater Shepparton and Victoria.
“Greater Shepparton is the Food Bowl of Australia. We are an agricultural powerhouse that supplies produce on a national and international scale,” Mayor Sali said.
“As a big regional city doing big city business, we are continuing to see people moving to the region and establishing their lives and businesses here, however we haven’t got the services and facilities to cater for this continued growth.
“During our visit, projects such as the Goulburn River Bridge, Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, and GV Health upgrades were acknowledged as having regional, state, and national significance. We consistently demonstrated the return on investment, with a focus on job creation, economic stimulation, and shovel-readiness,” Mayor Sali said.
“We also reinforced the urgent need for a staged funding approach to completing the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment, emphasising the community’s right to access care close to home.”
GV Health Chief Executive, Matt Sharp, said access to quality healthcare plays a vital role in helping regional communities thrive.
“Closing the gap on cancer care through a new Integrated Cancer Centre is a top priority for our region, and a critical next step towards the completion of the remaining 50 per cent of the Shepparton Hospital redevelopment,” Sharp said.
“We are working hard to ensure people from our region have equitable access to high-quality care across all our services. A new Integrated Cancer Centre is an important part of this, and we appreciate Council’s recognition of the Shepparton Hospital as a vital regional priority in these constructive discussions with our representatives in the Victorian Parliament.”
Committee for Greater Shepparton Executive Officer, Linda Nieuwenhuizen, said in every meeting the delegation emphasised how the priorities could unlock further economic potential in our region.
“A strong Victorian economy relies on strong regional economies,” Nieuwenhuizen said.
“That includes improved freight productivity and access to health services that match peer regional cities, to our transport and community sports needs that help us attract and grow our workforce and meet the needs of our a rapidly growing region and regional city.”
The Shepparton Sports and Events Centre remains a top priority and Council has said that it will request a more than $5 million state contribution via a budget bid and election commitment in November 2026.
A review of the region’s bus transport network is also a top priority, with Council working to find and determine temporary solutions so the community has access to expanded bus services and additional routes across Greater Shepparton.
“We’ve laid the groundwork for serious investment in our region. While the 2026 State Budget is still months away, our advocacy has already made an impact,” Mayor Sali said.
“This isn’t just about what’s fair, it’s about what’s right for Greater Shepparton and for Victoria.”
