Leaders bound for Canberra

Local government sustainability, roads and passenger rail services will be among a list of issues Wimmera and southern Mallee municipal representatives will raise in Canberra next week.

Others include a need to attract and retain regional doctors, what infrastructure is needed to capitalise on renewable-energy opportunities and the potential benefits of a weather radar station in the region.

Council mayors and chief executives will join Wimmera Development Association officials for meetings with federal parliamentarians on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wimmera Development Association executive director Ralph Kenyon said the delegation had a lengthy list of appointments to discuss many issues involving Wimmera and southern Mallee municipalities.

“The annual delegation is about reinforcing our needs and we’ve had a lot of support from Member for Mallee Andrew Broad in organising our appointments,” he said.

“We will be taking a regional investment plan and providing copies to each of the ministers we meet.

“It’s about trying to cover as many portfolios we can to make sure our Commonwealth Government members are aware of our issues.”

Municipal councils involved in the delegation are Yarriambiack, West Wimmera, Horsham, Northern Grampians and Hindmarsh.