Council leaders from Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Mildura, Loddon, Campaspe and Moira shires visited Canberra and Bendigo over the last two weeks, speaking to politicians and advisors on water management, renewable energy, housing and the funding of local government.

“Council is committed to making the Gannawarra a great place to live for our residents, which means we will work on raising matters that are most concerning to our communities to decisionmakers,” Gannawarra Shire Council Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“There are various issues occurring at the moment that are affecting, or will affect, our residents, and by working with neighbouring councils, we are playing a role in advocating for change.”

The latest round of buybacks was a pressing issue for the group.

“As we saw with its previous efforts to undertake a buyback program to achieve environmental targets outlined in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the Federal Government’s approach will inflict social and economic damage on the Gannawarra,” Mayor Stanton said.

“There are better ways to implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan that will deliver better outcomes for the environment and will leave a sustainable irrigation sector in the area. All we ask is the government works with us and our communities.”

The represented councils also used the opportunity to continue their push for increased renewables development.

“As we are seeing with projects such as the VHM Minerals Sands mine at Goschen, VNI West and the various renewable energy initiatives that will result from the installation of this critical electricity transmission connection, more local jobs will be created and, in turn, more houses will be required to accommodate these new residents,” Mayor Stanton said.

This article appeared in  The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 5 September 2024.