2026 State Election Priorities
Council Outlines Community Priorities Ahead of 2026
As the 2026 State Election approaches, Golden Plains Shire Council has set out eight key priority areas and is calling for bipartisan commitment to deliver the essential infrastructure and services needed to support the Shire’s growing communities.
2026 State Election Priority Projects
• Improved Public and Active Transport
• Increased Investment in Road Safety, Roads and Active Transport
• Investment in Tracks and Trails
• Investment in Emergency Services and Community Safety
• Sewerage Infrastructure for Supporting Growth
• Investment for Early Years, Young People and Liveability
• Scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
• Mobile and Digital Connectivity Across the Golden Plains
With townships spread across three State electorates— Eureka, Geelong and Ripon—Council has outlined a series of projects that respond directly to local needs, population growth and long‑term planning for liveability, safety and economic opportunity. Priorities for the Eureka Electorate
The Eureka electorate includes the Golden Plains communities of Meredith, Shelford, Lethbridge, Rokewood, Dereel, Mount Mercer, Teesdale, Inverleigh and She Oaks.
Council is seeking commitments to progress the following priority projects:
• Midland Highway Duplication
• Urches Road, Werneth Upgrade
• Increased Public Bus Services
• Bannockburn to Teesdale Off Road Trail
• Sewerage Infrastructure for Meredith
• Teesdale Turtle Bend Reserve Upgrade
• Lethbridge Active Play Space
• New Kindergartens in Inverleigh and Lethbridge
Priorities for the Geelong Electorate
The Geelong electorate covers the Golden Plains townships of Bannockburn, Batesford, Murgheboluc, Stonehaven, Russells Bridge and Gheringhap.
Council is advocating for commitments to:
• Passenger Rail from Bannockburn to Geelong
• Increased Public Bus Services
• Midland Highway Duplication
• Moorabool River Reserve Playspace (Batesford)
• New Bannockburn Kindergarten
• OffRoad Trails Connecting Townships
• Road Upgrades
Priorities for the Ripon Electorate
The Ripon electorate includes the Golden Plains communities of Haddon, Ross Creek, Napoleons, Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Linton.
Council is seeking support for:
• Increased Public Transport Services
• Smythesdale SubRegional Play Space
• Ambulance Victoria Station in Smythesdale
• Kindergarten Woady Yaloak Upgrade
• Trail Connecting Ross Creek and Smythesdale
All Electorates
• Scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) Levy
• Mobile and Digital Connectivity Across Golden Plains
• Increased Emergency Services Across the Golden Plains Shire
For further information, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/state-election-2026.
Community Disaster Resilience Sessions
Golden Plains Shire Council and The Six C’s Emergency Management Specialists are running a Community Disaster Resilience Program to help residents better prepare for emergencies through practical workshops held in Rokewood, Linton and the Maude/She Oaks /Steiglitz area.
The sessions focus on household emergency planning and community‑led emergency management, giving locals the tools, confidence and connections needed to respond to and recover from disasters. For further information and to register to attend the sessions, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/events
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