Advocacy priorities updated

Bass Coast Shire Council endorsed the fourth version of its Advocacy Priorities List at the December Council Meeting.

The updated Priority List includes (in alphabetical order):

  • Bass Coast Aquatics Centre – Wonthaggi
  • Cowes Cultural and Community Centre
  • Erosion Infrastructure and Climate Change Policy
  • Homelessness and Emergency Housing
  • Mental health and Suicide Prevention
  • Pathways – Visitor Economy Infrastructure
  • Phillip Island Aquatics and Recreation Precinct
  • Roads Upgrades
  • Tertiary Education Investment – Bass Coast University Centre
  • Transport

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said that the Advocacy Strategy 2018-21 guides the way Council identifies advocacy priorities and promotes them.

“So far, our focus on advocacy has contributed towards successful funding announcements for the Bass Coast community,” Cr Tessari said.

“Some of the highlights include $115 for the Wonthaggi Hospital Upgrade, $25 million for the new Wonthaggi Secondary College Campus, the provision of 24 hour medical care in Cowes, $9.7 million in funding towards road infrastructure, Cowes Jetty repair works, and $2.675 million for erosion infrastructure.”

“This new list of priorities will enable us to continue advocating to both State and Federal governments on behalf of the community.”

Cr Tessari said the revised and updated Priority List continues to reflect the community’s top opportunities, issues and projects, consistent with those identified in the Council Plan 2017-21.

“Advocacy on the back of the first three versions of the Priority List has produced results never seen before for the Bass Coast region,” Cr Tessari said.

At the December meeting, Council also endorsed a submission, to be made on behalf of Council, to the Victorian Parliament’s Inquiry into Homelessness.

Council’s Advocacy Strategy highlights the need to work in partnership with local agencies to develop emergency and social housing in Bass Coast. There is currently no community or government owned emergency or crisis housing in Bass Coast.

“Homelessness is a significant issue for your community, which has recently been further impacted by the closure of the Miners Rest Caravan Park in Wonthaggi,” Cr Tessari said.

“As part of our Advocacy Priorities, we will continue to advocate for funding to carry out a land assessment and to develop the Bass Coast Affordable and Emergency Housing Feasibility Study.

“There are opportunities available, but this critical piece of strategic work is missing.”

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