Councillors, CEO advocate for Shire at State Parliament

Published on 28 March 2025

Last week, Mayor Kate Makin, Deputy Mayor Laurie Hickey and Chief Executive Officer David Rae met with key leaders at the Parliament of Victoria to advocate for the Corangamite Shire community.

Cr Makin said the Council trio had productive discussions with 15 MPs and senior staff over the course of Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March.

“It was a productive two days in Melbourne enabling us to establish connections and foster relationships with various stakeholders across the political spectrum,” Cr Makin said.

“We ensured that the pressing concerns of Corangamite Shire were effectively communicated.”

“With farming being our biggest industry, we strongly put the case that protecting our premium agricultural, dairy land from the adverse impacts of competing land uses,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Hickey attended two of the meetings: one with Minister for Skills and TAFE; and for Water Gayle Tierney and the other with The Chief of Staff for Minister for Agriculture; Community Sport; and for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence.

“The need for a public truck washes is another high priority,” Cr Hickey said.

“The recent bird flu outbreak in Terang shows just how devastating a can be for local businesses and we put it to both the Agriculture Minister and the Shadow Agriculture Minister that the State Government had to take the lead on providing biosecurity measures,” he said.

“It was agreed at the meeting to form a working party—made up from State Government, industry representatives and Council—with the responsibility of solving the issue

Cr Makin said water security and food security were also on the agenda.

“We also sought assurance that the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy would be spent where it is raised. If our farmers have to cop the huge rise in cost, they need to know they will get a fair and proportional services in return.”

The Windfall Gains Tax was another issue raised.

“With the shortage of housing in Corangamite for attracting essential workers, Council has put a huge amount of work into structure plans and planning scheme amendments. We don’t want this new tax to be a disincentive to developing homes to attract skilled workers,” Cr Makin said.

“The State Government has set a target for 1,300 new homes in Corangamite by 2051. We asked for clear guidelines around State and Council responsibilities so regulatory costs aren’t shifted onto Council. Past data suggests we could go over the target and we need assurance that won’t put a cap on future development funding.”

With work starting on the 12 Apostles Precinct Development, the Council delegation sought more information on how it would benefit the local economy and community.

“Nearly three million visitors come to the Twelve Apostles every year,” Cr Makin said.

“We need to make sure the new visitor experience centre gives our food and wine producers access to that huge market and that it’s not just a drive-in-drive-out situation that doesn’t contribute to community hosting it.”

Cr Makin said the future of Council’s Early Years Services was also raised.

“Council has worked hard to ensure the 15 hour three-year-old kindergarten rollout has been implemented well before the due date of 2029. As part of the proposed Pre-Prep rollout, we will be expected to increase from 16 to 30 hours by 2036. This will take major investment in infrastructure and workforce when we have a limited rates revenue. We need to State Government to contribute so we can meet it policy expectations and provide the best service for our families.”

Mental Health Services are another area that needs significant investment, Cr Makin said.

“With high rates of anxiety among young people, depression among farmers and social isolation with remote or older residents there is a need for specialist services that are far outside Council’s expertise.

“The State Government’s Regional Mental Health Workforce Incentives program has not filled the shortage and this is definitely something our community needs to have addressed.”

The delegation renewed calls for greater investment in State managed and owned roads and Council’s priority projects, significantly the Camperdown Production Precinct.

“Corangamite is the highest milk-producing Local Government Area in Australia, worth $1.154 billion a year and employing a third of our workforce,” Cr Makin said.

“We need more high-quality, serviced industrial land to attract food production and create more jobs and economic opportunities.

“We’ve got the land outside Camperdown and are seeking $30 million for infrastructure and servicing works so we can get that land on the market for new businesses to start up.”

Another highlight of the visit was a very positive meeting with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, Cr Makin said.

“We have invited her down to visit the nearly-completed town centre reactivation works in Port Campbell. It will be great opportunity to give her a guided tour to help her appreciate the community’s challenges and the tremendous opportunities we have here.”

The Council delegation met with:

• Minister for Skills and TAFE; and for Water Gayle Tierney
• Minister for Ports and Freight; Roads and Road Safety; and for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne
• Minister for Consumer Affairs; and for Local Government Nick Staikos
• Treasurer; Minister for Industrial Relations; and for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
• Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Small and Medium Business Brad Battin
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture; and for Mental Health Emma Kealy
• Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety; Emergency Services; and Regional Development and Liveability Danny O'Brien
• Shadow Minister for Local Government; and for Scrutiny of Government Bev McArthur
• Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan
• Shadow Minister for Education; and for Industry and Economic Growth Jess Wilson
• Shadow Special Minister of State; Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport, Events and Hospitality; and for Outdoor Recreation Sam Groth
• Members for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora and Sarah Mansfield
• Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
• The Chief of Staff for Minister for Agriculture; Community Sport; and for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence