Council
16 July, 2026
Terang misses out on election advocacy
TERANG has again been excluded from Corangamite Shire Council’s list of advocacy priorities leading into the November Victorian State Election.
The result was a case of déjà vu after Terang was not included in the 2022 State Election priorities nor in 2018 despite being the second largest town in Corangamite Shire.
Councillors unanimously agreed at the recent Ordinary Meeting of Council to seek support for three projects and one policy reform as part of its State Election advocacy.
The shire will seek a total of $6.13 million for stage one of the Skipton Community and Recreation Hub ($2.6M), stages one and two of the Camperdown Production Precinct ($2.78M) and $750,000 for an expansion of the Port Campbell to Princetown Trial.
In addition, councillors also endorsed an in-principle priority for planning and energy policy reform, which requires further development before being publicly released.
Chief executive officer David Rae was authorised to finalise the Planning and Energy Policy Reform priority.
Councillor Jo Beard said the exclusion of issues and projects from advocacy did not mean councillors had forgotten about them.
“I think it’s important to note that this is a State Election so we’re going hard with these,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean we’re forgetting about the other passionate community projects that are bubbling away in our other townships or rural areas.
“I don’t want other community groups to think we’re forgetting about them – we’re not.
“These are specific projects for a specific purpose in a specific time but we can’t prioritise every project, as much as we’d love to.
“I just want us all to keep in the back of our minds whenever there’s an opportunity where we can spruik up other projects.”
Councillor Ruth Gstrein moved the motion to endorse the priorities, saying a scaled-back approach was the smart choice.
“I think council is making the right decision having smaller, more accessible and more doable projects rather than very big-ticket items,” she said.
“We know dollars are very tight at the state level and they’re getting harder and harder to come by, so I think it’s smart to break these projects up.
“It’s about getting all the ducks lined up to make those projects start – but they’re ready to go, which is great.
“I certainly encourage the government, the opposition, the independents – every man and his dog – to be on board with these projects.”
As seconder deputy mayor councillor Laurie Hickey said council had formed its State Election advocacy around the concept of supporting regional development.
“The policies put forward have massive community benefit,” he said.
“It’s always a wise process, or a wise plan, to have to actually have projects that are ready to go when we ask for money from the government.”
What projects or issues do you think should be prioritised in Corangamite Shire ahead of the 2026 State Election?
Send us an email at terangexpress@wdnews.com.au or phone 5593 1888 to have your say.