Other Advocacy Projects

The ask: $60,000 per year from the Regional Partnerships Program to support artistic services at Central Goldfields Art Gallery

Some success

✓State Government investment in the Gallery redevelopment through the 2019-20 Regional Infrastructure Fund, $1.2 million from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund and $355,000 from the Regional Collections Access Program.

✓100% increase in visitation based on pre-redevelopment fi gures

✓Community led demand for increase in visual arts education, exhibition and public program services

Ongoing advocacy

• Temporary closure of the Bendigo and Ballarat art galleries for redevelopment provides an opportunity for the Central Goldfields Art Gallery to become a regional hub in 2026.

• Collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation in First Nations led visual arts exhibitions and cultural programs, in conjunction with Council’s Reconciliation

• Through membership of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria, ongoing advocacy through this peak body and increased partnership with major neighbouring public galleries in Ballarat and Bendigo

• Demand for education and public program services informed by:
  • local early years, primary, secondary and life long educators
  • network of key community organisations across the disability, health, community and creative sectors

Key issues

Funding to provide Australian Museums and Galleries industry standard staffi ng to support:

• local visual artists in the creation and presentation of work in partnership with the Creative Space at Maryborough Railway Station
• students and teachers with access to a diverse range of creative learning programs and opportunities
• increase First People’s leadership and practice
• care, development and increase access to the growing permanent art collection

Strategic priorities

• Realisation of the Gallery’s vision to be an inclusive and innovative public art gallery for residents and visitors to the Shire (Central Goldfields Art Gallery Strategic Plan 2023–2026)

Stakeholders and key partners

• Creative Victoria
• Local residents
• Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
• Tourists
• The regional creative community
• Education providers from early years to tertiary providers
• Public Galleries Association of Victoria

The ask: Investment in digital connectivity

Some success

✓Fibre to the home is being rolled out in Dunolly

✓A mobile tower in Talbot

✓A fixed wireless solution is being developed for Talbot

✓Two new NBN fixed wireless towers were activated in August 2025, covering Maryborough East and West.

Ongoing advocacy

Our digital connectivity priority is to:

• Ensure mobile broadband coverage is equal to metropolitan areas and able to withstand emergencies.
• Accessible and dependable digital connectivity has become crucial for remote work, learning, healthcare education and more. However, current infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the increased demand and is causing unreliable coverage.

 We’re calling for investment in:

• Improved coverage and access across regional and rural areas.
• Critical infrastructure to service new industrial and commercial precincts.
• Increased capacity in rapid growth areas to support periods of high demand for businesses (tourism, events, etc.) and households (early evening).
• A funding stream to roll out digital infrastructure across the region

Key issues

• Numerous communication technology black spots across Central Goldfields Shire
• Central Goldfields Shire has a digital inclusion score of 65.6 which is 7.6 points below the Australian average and the fifth worst score in Victoria

Strategic priorities

• High quality digital connectivity for all areas of Central Goldfields Shire
• Reliable mobile phone coverage
• Fast and affordable internet coverage

Stakeholders and key partners

• Connecting Victoria
• Telstra
• NBN and other internet providers
• Mobile Blackspots Program (Federal Government)
• Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC)
• Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership (LCRP)
• Regional Development Australia Committee

The ask: Increased investment to improve transport connectivity

Some success

✓Additional weekend services commenced December 2022

Ongoing advocacy

• Increase train services between Maryborough and Ballarat on weekdays, from two per day to five, to enable commuting for local residents to travel by train for work and study; attend business, medical and other appointments; and to promote tourism and enhance social connectivity.
• Reinstate passenger train services between Maryborough and Mildura to establish Maryborough as a regional rail hub, reactivate rail as a public transport option at Dunolly, and to improve public transport links between Melbourne and Mildura via Maryborough.
• Continue working with DTP to review bus timetables to improve links to train services at Ballarat and Castlemaine. 

Key issues

• Limited train services between Maryborough and Ballarat, and a timetable that doesn’t suit regular commuters
• Infrequent and poorly coordinated public transport across Central Goldfields Shire

Strategic priorities 

• Increase the frequency of weekday train services between Maryborough and Ballarat
• Reintroduce passenger trains between Maryborough, Dunolly and Mildura
• Review other public transport connections to improve links to key services

Stakeholders and key partners

• Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) 
• V/Line
• Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC)
• Re Mildura rail: Northern Grampians Shire, Buloke Shire, Yarriambiack Shire and the Rural City of Mildura
• Community and advocacy organisations including the Rail Revival Alliance, Public Transport Users Association and the NorthWest Rail Alliance

   

Community feedback 

An online survey was undertaken via Council’s website in March and April 2026 to establish the community’s interest in extra trains and the preferred times.

As of 7 April 2026, the survey had received 221 responses, providing a robust statistical basis for advocacy.

Preferred service windows:

Resident demand for increased frequency remains high across all categories.

The most critical service gaps identified by the 221 participants are:

• Late afternoon (4pm - 5.30pm): 173 mentions (78%) — Remains the top priority, essential for the return commute of students and workers.
• Mid-morning (9.30am - 10.30am): 169 mentions (76%) — Highlights a significant need for off-peak flexibility for appointments and regional business.
• Early morning (6am - 7am): 147 mentions (67%) — A critical requirement for daily professional commuters to Melbourne and Ballarat.
• Early afternoon (1.30pm - 2.30pm): 136 mentions (62%) — Preferred for midday connectivity and social travel.

• Evening (7pm onwards): 133 mentions (60%) — Essential for those attending evening events or requiring safe transit home after dark.

The data suggests that incremental additions to the timetable, specifically focused on the 4pm - 5.30pm return window, would have an immediate and positive impact for most users.

Analysis of passenger numbers on the Shepparton and Echuca lines shows that patronage typically increases when there are more services.