Among the MRGC’s seven motions put to the conference on June 25, were those calling for a national funding commitment to help repair and maintain the crumbling local road network, and an end to damaging open-market water buybacks, calling instead for local leadership in future Murray-Darling Basin Plan reform.
Others dealt with housing shortages, local government financial sustainability, energy transition impacts and swimming pool upgrades.
MRGC chair Dan Straub said ALGA delegates supported the group’s motions, which reflected the strength of regional collaboration and the solutions MRGC put forward to the challenges facing northern Victorian communities.
Cr Straub said the success of all seven motions showed the clear alignment between MRGCs regional priorities and national concerns.
“Every motion we put forward was grounded in the lived experiences of our towns and rural industries,” he said.
“We made the case for common-sense, local solutions that can deliver safer regional roads, more homes in our towns, safeguard our irrigation districts and ensure our communities benefit from the energy transition that is happening right here in our region.
“Our communities are shouldering more responsibility with fewer resources.
“The assembly gave us the platform to say that has to change and we’re proud that the broader local government sector stood with us.
“This is a great endorsement of our advocacy as a united group of councils.”
The MRGC’s delegation included councillors and officers from all six member councils: Moira, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Loddon, Mildura and Swan Hill.
The group also advocated directly to Federal Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain.
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