The old high school site is a focus of the new advocacy list. By Catherine Watson
REDEVELOPMENT of the Wonthaggi pool and the old high school site, a new sports precinct in Phillip Island, protection of the Western Port Woodlands and coastal erosion top the council’s new advocacy list.
At Wednesday's council meeting, councillors endorsed the five “big ticket” priorities aimed at securing state and federal funding for major local projects over the next three years.
Bass Coast Shire Council Advocacy Priorities 2026-28 will guide council lobbying in the lead-up to this year's Victorian election and future state and federal budgets.
REDEVELOPMENT of the Wonthaggi pool and the old high school site, a new sports precinct in Phillip Island, protection of the Western Port Woodlands and coastal erosion top the council’s new advocacy list.
At Wednesday's council meeting, councillors endorsed the five “big ticket” priorities aimed at securing state and federal funding for major local projects over the next three years.
Bass Coast Shire Council Advocacy Priorities 2026-28 will guide council lobbying in the lead-up to this year's Victorian election and future state and federal budgets.
The council says advocacy is essential to deliver projects beyond its own financial capacity to support the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Bass Coast into the future.
They are based on community consultation undertaken for the Council Plan 2025-29 and the council’s long-term financial planning and designed to deliver long-term benefits for the region:
They are based on community consultation undertaken for the Council Plan 2025-29 and the council’s long-term financial planning and designed to deliver long-term benefits for the region:
 Redevelopment of the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Wonthaggi, with council seeking shared funding from all levels of government to replace the ageing facility. |  Protection of Western Port Woodlands, including mapping and planning controls to safeguard significant environmental areas. |
 Co-funding by state and federal government of the first stages of the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct, to address capacity pressures at Cowes Recreation Reserve. |  Transformation of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site into a new community precinct. |
 Coastal protection measures, including funding and planning controls to address erosion and inundation risks. |
Beyond the major projects, council’s advocacy program also targets improvements across five broader themes:
The council will also submit two motions to the national general assembly of the Australian Local Government Association in June.
They call on the federal and state governments to jointly fund with local government the renewal of ageing public pools in regional areas; and to measure, manage and mitigate coastal risks for our communities “before these hazards materialise as costly natural disasters”.
- Roads and transport: safer intersections, sealed urban roads, better public transport and a proposed alternate freight route for Wonthaggi.
- Environment: climate action funding, biodiversity protection and measures to reduce wildlife road deaths.
- Community wellbeing: affordable housing, homelessness responses, early years services, accessibility initiatives and arts investment, including upgrades to the Wonthaggi Union Arts Centre.
- Economic development and tourism: training pathways, trails infrastructure, industrial land development and support for major events.
- Financial sustainability: more secure and predictable government funding to help councils maintain infrastructure and services.
The council will also submit two motions to the national general assembly of the Australian Local Government Association in June.
They call on the federal and state governments to jointly fund with local government the renewal of ageing public pools in regional areas; and to measure, manage and mitigate coastal risks for our communities “before these hazards materialise as costly natural disasters”.