General News
16 October, 2025
Plan unveiled for Budget advocacy
COULD a plan for $58.25 million to flow to the south west in next year’s Victorian Budget address some of the region’s biggest issues?
The South West Victoria Alliance (SWVA), which seeks to advocate for communities across the region including Corangamite and Moyne, has released its formal submission to the government ahead of next year’s budget.
A call for $50 million to be invested in targeted improvement for some of the region’s high-traffic roads headlines the submission.
Also included is a call for councils to share in a combined $1.25 million in additional drought support, a $5 million investment to boost visitation through a dedicated summer campaign promoting the south west and a $2 million fund to deliver a comprehensive regional energy plan.
SWVA chair Ben Blain, who is also Warrnambool City Council mayor, said the south west needs immediate and sustained government investment to stay strong and prosper.
“We’re looking for fresh investments in economic development initiatives, new money to fix local roads and a plan to turbocharge local tourism,” he said.
“South west Victoria is already a great place to live and work but the region is facing many challenges like drought, housing shortages and infrastructure gaps.
“With ongoing support from the Victorian Government, we can overcome these challenges and continue to thrive.”
The drought response aspect of the advocacy would include a fund of $250,000 per council to be used flexibly to meet urgent local needs, including expanding community wellbeing initiatives, and providing councils with resources to coordinate support at the community level and locally tailored economic stimulus projects.
These include small business support and local infrastructure works.
The $50 million in targeted road upgrades across south west Victoria would be focused on widening shoulders and strengthening pavement on freight and tourism routes, constructing new overtaking lanes on high-volume corridors, addressing black spots and dangerous intersections and prioritising areas with dual industry and visitor use.
The $2 million investment to map a renewable energy project pipeline and expected job creation would seek to assess local workforce and skills gaps, and recommend training pathways.
The proposal would also examine the region’s manufacturing and supply chain capacity and where capability uplift is needed.
The submission notes it is important to identify enabling infrastructure such as grid, industrial land, transport, ports, housing and community infrastructure would help to unlock projects while also providing government, councils, industry and training providers with a single, evidence-based roadmap to guide investment.
To learn more about SWVA and the submission visit https://southwestvictoriaalliance.com.au.