Council Puts Forward Motions to Advocate for Regional Properties

Published on 20 August 2025

Council will take six important issues to the next Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council meeting following a resolution at last night’s August Council Meeting. These motions will seek stronger advocacy and support for matters affecting our community.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is Victoria’s legislated peak body representing all 79 local councils in the State. The State Council meets at least twice a year, providing member Councils, such as Southern Grampians Shire, an opportunity to put forward motions on local priorities and gain the support of MAV to advocate for these items.

Council resolved to present the following six motions for consideration:

1. Investment in Regional Aquatic Facilities - Calling on State and Federal Governments to increase funding for the renewal of ageing aquatic facilities in rural and regional Victoria.
2. Continued Drought Support - Thanking the State Government for its recent drought support package, while seeking formal acknowledgement that ongoing assistance will be required beyond the package announced on 4 July 2025.
3. Equity in Emergency Services Volunteer Fund - Requesting a Parliamentary Inquiry into how the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund impacts farmers, ensuring fair treatment across the sector.
4. Kerbside Waste Reform and Recycling Support - Advocating for:
   • A review of proposed kerbside waste reforms and their cost impacts on councils.
   • Funding to support collection infrastructure and processing needs.
   • Greater investment in the Container Deposit Scheme, particularly for regional infrastructure.
   • Increased reinvestment of landfill levy funds into long-term waste and recycling solutions in regional areas.
5. Passenger Flight Subsidies – requesting that the MAV, through its advocacy, call on the Victorian State Government to subsidise passenger flights into rural areas in alignment with other States in Australia.
6. Amendments to the Electricity Industries Act (2020) - Advocating against the proposed changes to the Electricity Industry Act 2000 which implements fines for property owners who obstruct, hinder, or delay the entry of authorized officers to their property, and sanctions authorised officers to use reasonable force to gain entry.

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin said that these motions represented issues that are important to our region.

“The MAV do a huge amount of work on behalf of member Councils like ourselves. We are a small Council and some of these motions concern larger battles. If we can get the backing of a large body like MAV, we have the opportunity to tackle some big picture issues which will have a big impact at home,” Cr Heslin stated.

"The proposed changes to the Electricity Industry Act were sprung on the Victorian public last week without any consultation. This was added to our list of MAV motions via an urgent motion tabled by Cr Campbell. Council feels quite strongly the proposed amendments are unconscionable.”

Cr Heslin added "Council will continue to fight against the implementation of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund. We feel a Parliamentary Inquiry is the best way for the public to have a strong voice into parliament, as well as examine the equity of this new tax".         

To read these motions in full, please visit our website. To stay up to date with all things Council, subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

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