At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, Alpine Shire Council endorsed seven key advocacy priorities to guide their advocacy campaign leading into the 2026 State Government election.
The seven projects and initiatives have been identified as the highest advocacy priorities for Council, taking into consideration the key functions delivered and funded by the State Government whilst reflecting the Alpine Shire Council Plan 2025-2029 and the prioritised capital works pipeline.
- Connecting the Upper Kiewa - Funding to construct active transport links for the community and visitors
- Celebrating Wandiligong's Heritage -Funding to design and construct trail links through the historic township and landscapes
- Myrtleford Community Sports Hub - Funding for planning and design
- Future Ready Bright Masterplan - Funding for planning
- Increased Municipal Emergency Management Program (MERP) funding
- Improved community access to primary mental healthcare
- Appropriate maintenance funding for State-managed roads
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, emphasised Council's responsibility to advocate for priorities that are important to Alpine Shire communities, economy, and environment.
"We know that providing access to key services, such as high-quality facilities, welcoming and safe outdoor recreation spaces, and connected active transport networks, is vital to supporting the wellbeing of our communities and businesses," she said.
"We have developed a strong, targeted, and informed advocacy position that reflects the priorities that we have detailed in our Alpine Shire Council Plan 2025-2029 and associated Action Plan 2025-2029.
"These plans were informed through significant deliberative engagement with a broad range of people who call Alpine Shire home, and love what is offered, so we are confident that the priorities going forward will not only reflect what we want to see for our region, but also bring about community-championed, positive, and sustainable change for everyone."
Cr Nicholas highlighted Council's advocacy position on maintenance funding for State-managed arterial roads.
"We work hard to ensure that Council-managed roads are in tip-top condition, and it is concerning to hear of tyre and vehicle damage and other safety concerns because larger, arterial roads are not being maintained adequately," she said.
"There is also the added complexity of living in a regional alpine area, where roads are subject to harsher conditions with weather and freight, and so experience greater demands on their maintenance.
"We are advocating for the State Government to commit to sustained, multi-year maintenance funding on the roads that they manage in our Shire, including the Great Alpine Road, the Kiewa Valley Highway, Mount Buffalo Road, and the Myrtleford-Yackandandah Road.
"We need a more consistent and responsive approach to road maintenance so that all our roads are safe and reliable for everyday use."
Council will seek meetings with representatives of the Government, the Opposition, and candidates at the upcoming election to outline their advocacy position and share details of projects and initiatives with local members of parliament and opposition.
Council's formal advocacy position will be made available as a suite of one-page advocacy summary reports that address individual priorities.
For more information about Council's formal advocacy position to the 2026 State Government election, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-04/M%284%29_28_April_Ordinary_Council_Meeting_Agenda_%28F%29.pdf#page=[7]