Advocacy

To help the Australian and Victorian Government understand the priorities of the Bass Coast community we work closely with Members of Parliament to highlight the urgent policy reform required and how we can partner to fund local projects. Our priorities are driven by the Council Plan, strategic plans and strive to meet the Community Vision for Bass Coast.

In consultation with our community, we have defined the following Advocacy Priorities for 2023.

Our priorities are detailed in the below documents

Victorian State Government Advocacy Priorities

Australian Federal Government Advocacy Priorities

You can also find detailed information on each project at Engage Bass Coast - link through to each relevant page below

• Affordable Housing

• Aquatics - Phillip Island and Wonthaggi
• Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail
• Climate Emergency Mitigation and Adaptation
• Creative Programming Support
• Decentralisation
• Digital Connectivity
• Economy and Tourism Support
• Extractive Resources
• Health
• Public Transport
• Public Transport: On Demand
• Safer Roads
• Sealing Urban Roads
• Tracks and Trails
• Transforming Townships
• Transport – Freight
• Wonthaggi North East

The Advocacy Strategy 2018-21 guides how and why we advocate to meet the needs of our local community.

Council continues to be successful in advocating for policy change and funding to help Bass Coast thrive.

Australian and Victorian Government funding helps to realise key projects including new sporting, cultural, education and health facilities. Recent successful grant funding has been achieved for Wonthaggi Streetscapes, Cowes Cultural and Community Centre, Wonthaggi to Inverloch Trail and Cowes East Foreshore improvements.

We recognise that working in partnership with other tiers of government and stakeholders will result in greater benefits for our community. We will continue to create and strengthen partnerships, enabling a greater voice to highlight our advocacy priorities and further influence policy and decision-makers.