Mayoral Matters - March 2025

Published on 26 March 2025

Over the last month our advocacy efforts have been elevated, bring key matters to the attention of Government and our Community.

I have been on the radio and advocating for funding post 30 June 2025 for Wimmera Southern Mallee By5, which will change the outcomes for our youngest residents across our Shire and the By5 region footprint.

In addition, there has been extensive coverage of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund and the impact on our rural communities, with specific focus on our farming sector.

We thank Rural Councils Victoria for their continued advocacy and support in this space.

We have secured a meeting with the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Energy in mid-May, where we can discuss our Position Statement on Mining, Renewables and Transmission projects across our Shire and the broader region.

Following the Council’s decision to explore alternative options for fulfilling the election promise at Rabl Park, Jacinta Ermacora MP has been aiding our advocacy regarding the scope of delivering a portion of the master plan in Murtoa, worth $200,000.

We welcomed the official opening of the Warracknabeal Kindergarten Wattle Room building, carpark and landscaping on Friday 21 March 2025.

This was a significant project totalling $1.607million, of which $1.151m was grant funded and Council required to contribute $456k to the project.

Our final sessions of Coffee with a Councillor were held on Monday 24 March in Beulah, Brim and Warracknabeal.

These sessions have been invaluable, and we look forward to incorporating discussions and feedback into our Council Plan 2025-2029.

And last but not least, on the 13 March 2025 we welcomed Dr Anne Webster, Member for Mallee’s announcement of a Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government election promise of $1.392 million to rebuild the Beulah Supermarket.

We congratulate the community on their advocacy. 

- Mayor Kylie Zanker