Advocacy Initiatives and Projects

Cost of Living Advocacy Roadmap 2026

A comprehensive list of initiatives and projects that aim to reduce cost pressures on residents and create a sustainable future for the Mildura Rural City Community.

Sustainable Futures

Reducing cost pressures while protecting essential services and long term resilience.

Reduce cost shifting from government for essential services
Ensure regional Councils are properly funded so communities don’t absorb the rising cost of State driven services delivered by local government:
- Maternal & Child Health funding reform
  Protect early years services by restoring a genuine 50:50 State-local funding partnership, that support workforce participation and ensure families get reliable early-years healthcare close to home.
- Library services funding support
  Sustain free, local access to learning, digital inclusion and community connection through libraries and outreach services to rural communities.
- School Crossing Supervisors program certainty
  Keep children safe and support families through reliable, State funded services.
- EPA Waste Levy
  Reform the State-mandated EPA waste levy to reduce the unfair cost burden on regional councils and ratepayers.
Financial Sustainability – innovation and service improvement
Modernise and test new delivery models that align with State reform priorities, delivering long term savings and better outcomes for taxpayers.

Growth through Infrastructure

Enabling productivity, jobs and long-term investment across the region.

Tri State Economic Zone - policy support
Remove cross border regulatory barriers that are actively constraining jobs, investment and industry growth in one of Victoria’s most strategically located regional economies.
Mildura Airport Upgrade – $30M (Projects 1 & 2)
Deliver critical runway upgrades to ensure safety and to secure business connectivity, tourism growth, healthcare access, emergency resilience and workforce mobility for northwest Victoria.
Riverfront Master Plan Stage 2 – $25M
Invest in destination defining infrastructure that stimulates tourism, jobs, private investment in housing, regional liveability and strengthens the riverfront precinct as key destination.
Mildura Arts & Culture Development Plan
Strengthen the creative economy and infrastructure that supports local jobs, youth engagement and attracts visitors to our vibrant regional arts and culture community.
Motorsports Infrastructure
Enable regional events and sports tourism by funding coordinated planning that unlocks future private and public investment.
Mildura CBD Revitalisation – $20M
Reinvigorate the city centre to support small business, employment and create a safer, more active precinct.
Mildura Government & Industry Initiative – $2M (planning)
Co locate government and industry to accelerate innovation, increase productivity, improve service access, whilst attracting private sector investment.
Mildura Weir Replacement - $250M
Support Mildura Weir replacement to ensure water security.

Connected, Affordable Transport

Lowering transport costs while improving access, safety and regional connectivity for communities, industry and regional workforce.

Benetook Freight Link – $200M
Improve freight productivity while removing heavy vehicles from residential streets and improving community safety.
Northwest Victoria Regional Passenger Transport Study actions - $700k (feasibility & demand study)
Deliver affordable, reliable connections to reduce transport isolation and improve access to healthcare, jobs and education and strengthen regional competitiveness.
More freight on rail – $250k (business case)
Shift freight from road to rail to reduce costs, emissions and road safety risks, by reducing truck movements.
Monak Bridge – $300k (business case)
Plan a strategic river crossing at Monak to strengthen supply chains, emergency resilience and regional connectivity and productivity.
Restore RCV Regional Roads Improvement Fund
Reinstate funding that directly improves road safety, freight efficiency and regional productivity.

Homes for a Growing Community

Delivering housing supply that supports jobs, services and population growth.

Trunk infrastructure program – $40M
Fund essential enabling infrastructure so housing can be delivered where regional jobs already exist:
- Mildura East Growth Area (MEGA), Mildura South and Irymple & Red Cliffs - priority areas
  Fast track major growth and development areas in the region to increase housing supply and ease pressure on renters and first-home buyers, as well as support workforce demand.
- Drainage and stormwater upgrades
  Enable housing growth through modern flood and drainage infrastructure while protecting existing communities from flood risk.
- Roads and sewer infrastructure
  Remove basic infrastructure constraints delaying housing construction and workforce growth.
- Short stay budget accommodation study
  Support healthcare workers, key industries and seasonal labour with affordable accommodation options.
Housing Taskforce actions
Coordinate government and industry to accelerate housing delivery outcomes and meet housing targets.

2026 Victorian State Election Advocacy Priorities

Mildura Rural City Council is advocating for projects that will make a real and lasting difference to local families. The upcoming State Election presents a significant opportunity to partner with Victoria’s next Government to deliver transformational initiatives that will enhance liveability, support community wellbeing and strengthen our region for future generations.

Council has identified three key advocacy priorities that will deliver long-term social, economic and community benefits. These projects will create accessible, family-friendly spaces and opportunities that residents can enjoy for decades to come, while supporting our vision of becoming Australia’s most liveable and people-friendly municipality.

These priorities have been selected from Council’s broader Cost of Living Advocacy Roadmap, a comprehensive program of initiatives and projects designed to ease cost-of-living pressures, improve community wellbeing and support a sustainable future for Mildura Rural City.

Mildura Riverfront Development – Jaycee Park Adventure Playspace

The Mildura Riverfront Adventure Playspace will transform Jaycee Park into a landmark regional attraction, delivering inclusive recreation infrastructure for local families while strengthening community wellbeing and riverfront activation. With $1.8 million committed by Council and $3.2 million sought as an election commitment, this funding-ready project will attract visitors from across the region, generate tourism benefits and further enhance Mildura’s position as Victoria’s leading inland river city.

Trunk Infrastructure for Priority Growth Areas

The $41.6 million Housing Growth Infrastructure Program will unlock residential development across three priority growth areas by delivering the critical stormwater, sewer and road infrastructure needed to support new housing and help meet Victoria’s housing growth targets. This investment will accelerate the delivery of affordable, social and worker housing, support local families and key workers, and drive long-term economic growth by addressing housing shortages, workforce constraints and development barriers across the region.

Mildura Airport Essential Rejuvenation

The $30 million Mildura Airport Infrastructure project will modernise critical airport infrastructure through runway, taxiway and apron upgrades, strengthening aviation safety and future-proofing one of Australia’s busiest regional airports. This investment will enhance regional connectivity, support larger aircraft and increased passenger capacity, and improve Mildura’s ability to attract visitors, investment and business activity across north-west Victoria, helping drive long-term regional growth.

Find more information about Mildura Rural City Council’s 2026 State Election Advocacy Priorities here: Key-Advocacy-Initiatives-State-Election-2026-Document.pdf(PDF, 9MB)