Golden Plains Shire Council
2026 State Election Priorities Community Disaster Resilience Sessions 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
• •
•
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
Investment in Tracks and Trails
•
Increased Public Bus Services
Investment in Emergency Services and Community Safety
•
Midland Highway Duplication
•
Sewerage Infrastructure for Supporting Growth
•
Moorabool River Reserve Playspace (Batesford)
•
Investment for Early Years, Young People and Liveability
•
New Bannockburn Kindergarten
•
OffRoad Trails Connecting Townships
•
Scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
•
Road Upgrades
•
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
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.
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
Sign up for the Digital Gazette
Have you signed up to receive the digital Golden Plains Shire Council Gazette? Each issue is full of important news and stories from all corners of the Shire, so make sure you sign up today. To sign up for the digital Gazette, scan the QR Code or email enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au.
For further information, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/state-election-2026.
2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, VIC 3331 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale, VIC 3351
5220 7111 enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au
@GPSCouncilNews
goldenplains.vic.gov.au
lovegoldenplains
GoldenPlainsShire