17 May, 2022 Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor – Advertiser

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Advocacy or lobbying is a very important process for all Councils as it provides the opportunity to seek investment from the State and Commonwealth governments for initiatives and developments that are needed and important and wanted by communities. It’s an activity we put a great deal of effort into and have been very successful in.

Advocacy is much more than simply stating what is wanted. The best advocacy links wants and needs to the priorities of those making investment decisions. It may involve many partners and is constantly evolving, as the shaping of wants, needs, partners and investment priorities and decisions changes. Successful advocacy is achieved by understanding and seeking to best influence those changing dynamics which is what we do.

One of the best opportunities is to be able to discuss these things in detail with important decision-makers who are keen to understand wants and needs and how government partnership may best address those priorities. Recently we had that perfect opportunity, with the visit to Maryborough by the Treasurer Hon Tim Pallas MP. After making the exciting announcement of $400,000 towards the Maryborough Tennis Centre court refurbishment, the Treasurer had a particularly engaging meeting with representatives of Council, the Committee for Maryborough, MDHS and other community and business leaders.

The meeting enabled discussion of Council’s growth strategy including the investment we need and employment and housing issues. We were able to present the Treasurer with Council’s Priority Projects Plan which he welcomed and the event was an opportunity all of us really valued.

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