Council
6 August, 2026
Moyne to aim big through advocacy
MOYNE Shire Council will continue its strong advocacy for rural and regional communities, endorsing three motions to be put forward for consideration at the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council.
The motions call for increased funding for aquatic infrastructure, the reinstatement of the Country Roads and Bridges Program, and ongoing flexible infrastructure funding for local government.
Mayor councillor Jordan Lockett said council was committed to ensuring the needs of local communities were heard at the highest levels, with the appeal for funding encompassing some of the most pressing issues in Moyne.
“Strong advocacy is one of the most important roles of local government, and Moyne will continue to make the case for the investment our communities need,” he said.
“Whether it’s maintaining vital road networks, upgrading community infrastructure or ensuring our aquatic facilities can be replaced and upgraded, regional councils need fair and sustainable funding.
“These are not just Moyne issues – they are challenges being experienced by councils across rural and regional Victoria.
“By working together with other councils through the MAV, we can strengthen our voice and advocate for practical solutions that deliver real benefits for our communities.”
Councillor Karen Foster moved the motion to set the advocacy items at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
She said it was vital for council to play its role in advocacy to both state and federal governments as government funding comprised between a quarter and a third of revenue during any given year.
“We’re pretty vulnerable and we need to be strong with our advocacy,” Cr Foster said.
“The three issues before us are all key to our ongoing financial sustainability, so we owe it to our community to make the best possible case for support.
“While I think Moyne has been very successful with its advocacy in recent years, this is another avenue that we can join with our colleagues.
“Hopefully there is strength in numbers, and hopefully in October we have support from our colleagues across the state, and these three issues are then put before state and federal governments.”
Councillor Lisa Ryan, as seconder, said she hoped to continue the success Moyne saw at the National General Assembly in June when council’s motions were put forward.
“They are big asks that we are asking, but our communities deserve big,” she said.
“That’s why we are asking so much of our state counterparts.
“Fingers crossed we get the support of our neighbouring shires but also shires across the state as well.”
Councillor Jim Doukas said he was in support of the motion but felt change was needed as rural councils were “begging” for their fair share of funding.
“I would like to see, amongst all the budding young politicians hoping to win a seat at the State Election, that they take a different approach,” he said.
“Not only the MAV take a different approach but rural councils because rural councils are broke compared to the inner-city ones.
“They make more money out of parking meters than we make altogether, even with government grants.
“We need to review the funding setup and give rural councils a fair go.
“If we keep going down the same path, the rural shires will fall to bits.”
Cr Foster said she agreed with the sentiment, acknowledging change was sorely needed.
“We need to have sector wide changes to ensure we’re sustainable into the future, and we need to do that as a sector,” she said.
“Organisations like the MAV are really important to us and our future.
“We’re stronger together, and I’m looking forward to hearing how the council goes in October.”
The motion was carried with unanimous support.
Council will submit the three motions for consideration at the MAV State Council meeting in October 2026.