Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre redevelopment, an extension of a key walking and cycling path in Halls Gap, netball and athletic upgrades, and additional money for emergency resilience and youth support headline Northern Grampians Shire Council’s advocacy priorities.
Council has released its Advocacy Prospectus 2026, which outlines where the organisation will focus its advocacy efforts to state and federal governments, particularly in the lead-up to November’s State Election.
The document is designed to ensure a relevant, targeted and co-ordinated approach to advocacy.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the priorities were determined following community feedback obtained during the development of the Council Plan 2025-29, annual budget and other key strategic documents, along with items identified and resolved at council meetings.
“Council places a strong emphasis on community feedback and opportunities for consultation, and we would like to thank our residents for their contribution to yet another important document,” she said.
“Council faces a range of key challenges, from an ageing population and housing shortage to a lack of financial sustainability and uncertainty around the renewable energy transition.
“Advocacy on behalf of our community is a key component of our role and ensuring Northern Grampians Shire is a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.
“Determining our priorities enables us to pursue relevant funding opportunities to progress them, including applying for grants.
“We believe the Advocacy Prospectus will be an invaluable tool heading into the November State Election as we look to secure funding for key projects for our shire.”
The prospectus contains 19 key advocacy priorities, which are broken up into three categories: Lead, partner and support.
The prospectus delves into each priority, showing what it involves, why it is needed and how much money council is asking for to complete it.
For example, the redevelopment of the aquatic component of Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre includes a 25-metre indoor pool with accessible entry ramp, new change facilities, plant room upgrades and improvement to the reception/foyer area.
The existing aquatic facilities are ageing and do not meet current community demand or contemporary accessibility expectations.
Council is asking the State Government for $13 million to complete the redevelopment. Council expects the total cost to be $28.5 million.
Other lead priorities, including the funding ‘ask’ include –
SSAC indoor stadium and gym redevelopment ($14 million): Redevelopment of the indoor stadium and gym component to include two netball-sized courts, upgraded gym and group fitness area, accessible toilets and additional storage.
Halls Gap East Shared Path ($2.47 million): A 3.3-kilometre extension of the existing pedestrian and bicycle shared path from Halls Gap to Halls Gap Zoo and the National Centre of Environment Art (WAMA).
Emergency resilience (seeking funding increase from $120,000 to $238,818): Council is seeking further funding to support municipal emergency management responsibilities amid changing climate and community expectations.
Central Park netball change rooms ($660,000): Upgraded netball change rooms to become female friendly, equitable and compliant.
North Park athletic track resurfacing ($2.66 million): To upgrade the synthetic running track from six lanes to an athletics compliant eight-lane track and two additional long jump pits.
Navarre Recreation Reserve netball court upgrade ($650,000): The project comprises a netball court upgrade, to be constructed in concrete and acrylic surface.
Lord Nelson Park netball court resurfacing ($100,000): Acrylic resurfacing of the two netball courts at Lord Nelson Park, St Arnaud.
Youth support ($450,000 over five years for Live4Life; $85,500 per year for youth community development officer): Funding would support the implementation of Live4Life, an evidence-based community impact program designed to enhance youth mental health and reduce suicide rates in rural and regional areas. The youth officer would lead intergenerational projects, foster youth leadership and integrate youth voices in civic and community environments.
Cr Hyslop said forming partnerships – such as the Wimmera Southern Mallee Council Alliance or Northwest-9 alliance – enabled a stronger collective voice when it came to ensuring the community’s needs were included in the development of regional plans and strategies.
‘Partner priorities’ include: Renewable readiness; Halls Gap East Sewer; Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Pipeline; Western Highway duplication; and financial sustainability.
‘Support priorities’ include: Stawell Underground Physics Lab Experience Centre; mental health services; Teddington Reservoir; St Arnaud Hospital upgrades; and general practitioner access.
“Council advocates in a range of different ways, including through direct and formal channels with Members of Parliament, state and federal ministers and shadow ministers,” Cr Hyslop said.
“Council’s chief executive Brent McAlister and I were pleased to present the Advocacy Prospectus 2026 to key government and industry representatives at the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra last week.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to promote our key projects and seek government support. We spent a lot of time building connections and flying the flag for our region.”
The Advocacy Prospectus 2026 is live document, which will be updated as priorities change and new issues emerge.
People can read the complete Advocacy Prospectus 2026 on council’s website, here.
