Council seeks funding fairness for rural Victoria

Published on 29 September 2026

Central Goldfields Shire Council is supporting state and regional campaigns to attract more State Government investment in rural communities.

Council last night endorsed collaborative advocacy with local government stakeholders and invited all candidates for Ripon to respond to local priority issues.

These include supporting a water pipeline, increased rail services, and funding to maintain and restore ageing heritage assets such as the Maryborough Outdoor Pool, Princes Park Grandstand and Maryborough Town Hall.

Acting Mayor, Cr Anna de Villiers, said rural local governments have limited capacity to increase revenue, and costs are rising above inflation.

“Central Goldfields Shire is one of the most disadvantaged communities in Victoria, and we believe that policy makers have a responsibility to ensure equity for all Victorians,” Cr de Villiers said.

“We’re calling on political parties and candidates to support our community in achieving our vision, and for us to realise our full potential.”

Council is a member of Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils, and input has been provided to their State Election policy platforms.

Cr de Villiers and Cr Liesbeth Long attended an RCV forum to launch their call for a $1 billion Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund.

Cr Long and Cr Geoff Bartlett attended a meeting with representatives from Pyrenees Shire and Northern Grampians Shire to discuss shared advocacy, calling for State and Federal Government investment in the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Rural Water Supply Project to provide water security for farmers, along with community and environmental benefits.

Candidates for Ripon are being invited to respond to Council’s advocacy priorities, and a report will be presented to the November 2026 meeting.