Advocacy
Southern Grampians Shire is a great place to live and work. However, continued hard work and collaboration between Council and the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments is needed to maintain our status as one of Victoria’s most liveable regional areas and to overcome significant service gaps which are creating disadvantages in our community. We will continue to advocate for the following projects, as well as a number of others across a range of environments, to ensure our region’s economic prosperity, cultural heritage, and health and wellbeing for now and into the future.
Enhanced Regional Bus Service
Challenge
Regional bus links from Hamilton to key regional centres such as Ballarat, Mt Gambier and Warrnambool are weak. The level of service is inconsistent with the needs of a regional town the size of Hamilton (around 9,000 residents) especially one without a passenger rail service, and with its ageing population and strong education sector.
There are only two return services daily from Hamilton to Ballarat. The service to Warrnambool is even more limited. Access to Ballarat is critical for residents to effectively access employment, social connectedness, and essential medical appointments. Access to Warrnambool is critical for hundreds of South West TAFE students who rely on being in Warrnambool for workshop/technical training. Currrently there is no service that allows residents to complete a days work or study with return to the region in the same day. Warrnambool and Ballarat are key locations for medical services not available in Hamilton along with other support services. Public transport access into Coleraine is also severely limited and would be addressed with an improved coach service.
Solution
Strengthened regional bus links on the Ballarat-Hamilton-Mt Gambier route is required, and further investigation by DoT on the level of service between Hamilton and Warrnambool is warranted.
Ballarat is the most significant nearby regional city (>100,000 pop) for Hamilton. A 2017 business case identified the need for expanded regional coach services from Hamilton as an immediate priority.
The Ask
1. Minimum two additional services 7 days per week on the Ballarat-Hamilton-Mt Gambier route.
2. An additional week day service to Warrnambool from Casterton/Coleraine through Hamilton. This would arrive in Warrnambool before 8:30am and depart at 4:30pm back to Hamilton.
Priorities Addressed
- Community Activation
- Economic Growth
- Environment
- Mental Health
- Jobs
Hamilton Botanic Garden Playspace
Challenge
The Hamilton Botanic Gardens Masterplan proposes a new, nature-based children’s play space on the site of the former Australian animal enclosure in the Hamilton Botanic Gardens.
This area of the gardens has remained fenced and inaccessible to the community for decades, since the practice of keeping animals in the Gardens ceased.
Solution
A new, nature-based children’s play space is proposed on the slope of the hill on the site of the former animal enclosure. The design of this space focuses on the provision of intergenerational nature based, non-equipment plan with the central feature being a large water play area and rock cascade. A large, decorative paved area at the centre of the space will feature water jets and clambering rocks with water channelling towards the rock cascade.
The water features paved area will also double as an event / outdoor classroom space with an over-ride switch allowing the water to be switched off during these events. When water is unavailable the rock cascade will act as a climbing play elements. Picnic facilities including a shelter and BBQ, seats and a drinking fountain will service the play space and sensory garden.
The design is ready for final consultation with the community and adoption by Council.
The Ask
Funding of $1.5m to implement the detailed design.
Priorities Addressed
- Community Activation
- Economic Growth
- Mental Health
Maroona to Portland Rail Line
Challenge
The Maroona to Portland rail line is 172km long and connects the western half of Victoria to the national grid and Port of Portland. The deep-sea Port of Portland is considered the best in Regional Victoria. The line links Portland to Ararat and is essential to the wider network.
The track is a timber sleepered line that has deteriorated in last nine years since Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) took the lease from Victorian State Government.
There are a range of general maintenance and renewal obligations contained in the lease including ensuring all capital works are integrated with the existing rail system and ensuring the rail line is also ‘in a condition which enables ARTC to meet its obligations to its customers.’ In 2008, ARTC said it would spend the money to upgrade the line. This hasn’t occurred to date.
One specific obligation on the Maroona to Portland line is that it be maintained at all times to 19 TAL (tonnage axel load) and speed of 80 km/hr. The line is not currently rated more than 19 TAL and speed is now reduced to 40 km/hr. Neither the TAL or rated speed is consistent with the wider network, which is 23 TAL and 80km/hr or greater.
There is growing demand for mineral sands to be brought from the Horsham and Wimmera area towards the Port of Portland. Road freight is currently the only viable option with the current ARTC level of service on the line.
Impact of current situation:
• Communities impacted by 24 hr/day truck movements (B doubles or bigger).
• Carbon impact via emissions.
• Road infrastructure including pavements and bridges deteriorating. State and Federal Governments have spent $40m since 2017 on roads maintenance in the Green Triangle, largely due to truck damage.
• Financial impact on mineral sands, wheat, other products – on projects with extended life spans of up to and beyond 30 years.
Solution
Upgrade the Maroona to Portland line to retain 80km limit at 19 TAL (ie standard it should be at now via lease agreement).
Finalise business case and funding model for upgrading line to 23 TAL in line with rest of ARTC network as per Portland to Maroona line ARTC business case.
Upgrade loading and unloading infrastructure at Port of Portland and at key rail sites within Western Victoria.
The Ask
Funding of approximately $206m would provide a track fully converted to meet modern standards and freight task for 23 TAL and 80km speed.
Priorities Addressed
- Economic Growth
- Jobs
- Environment
Multiuse Trails
Challenge
Recent audits have found an estimated 42km of missing links in footpaths and shared user pathways (cyclist and pedestrians) across Southern Grampians Shire in the urban areas of Hamilton, Coleraine, Balmoral, Cavendish, Dunkeld, Glenthompson, Tarrington and Penshurst.
These pathways are a key contributor towards continued connectedness to both services and people, and are critical to community health and wellbeing which is particularly important for rural communities. The missing links, also identified in rural reserves, have been identified specifically in the Southern Grampians 2041 - Community Vision Framework and in strategic plans such as the Hamilton CBD Masterplan, Hamilton Lake Masterplan, Recreation and Leisure Strategic plan and small town structure plans.
Solution
Construction of these missing shared user pathways is necessary to provide connections for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the Southern Grampians Shire townships. In addition to the 42 km of urban connections, 65km of rural reserves and walking trails are proposed to improve to connectivity and access across the Shire.
These missing links will boost recreation opportunities for our community, support health and wellbeing, as well as ensuring access to central activity centres, schools, hospitals and education as priority locations. The paths will also provide access to our internationally renowned natural environment, linking our small towns, National Parks, volcanic sites, and Ramsar listed wetlands, providing an exceptional visitor experience and economic benefit for the region.
Highlights of this package include:
• Completion of the Hamilton to Coleraine rail trail.
• Trails to improve access to Volcanic Plains Masterplan sites.
• Series of connecting pathways in Hamilton to create walkway loops linking key natural environment sites for recreation and exercise.
• Trails to connect the township of Dunkeld with the Grampians Peak Trail and Dunkeld Arboretum.
• Pathways to connect the townships of Coleraine, Glenthompson, Cavendish, Balmoral, Tarrington, Branxholme and Penshurst with key recreational and community assets.
The Ask
A $5.2m package to develop approximately 137 km of shared user pathways across the Southern Grampians Shire. This project can be staged.
Priorities Addressed
- Community Activation
- Visitor Economy
- Maintain and Renew Infrastructure
- Health and Wellbeing
Re-Introduction of Passenger Rail to Hamilton
Challenge
There is a lack of a convenient and dedicated rail service into Hamilton, linked with Ballarat via Ararat is disadvantaging residents and visitors of Southern Grampians Shire. Many comparable towns such as Swan Hill, Benalla and Yarrawonga have access to passenger rail in Victoria to travel to larger regional cities which the Southern Grampians currently lacks.
Underlying reasons for recommending return of rail services to Horsham and Hamilton are that:
• It responds to many of the identified needs.
• It provides better inter-city connections.
• It is strongly supported by the region’s communities.
• It provides equity with other cities and towns throughout Victoria.
• It is operationally and financially feasible.
Solution
Six return daily train services to Ararat, four to Horsham and three to Hamilton is vital. These services would all connect at Ballarat with direct trains to/from Melbourne via Ballan. An upgraded train station at Hamilton, overnight stabling in Hamilton and Horsham along with standardisation of rail gauge between Ballarat to Ararat and other associated works is also required.
Detailed design is needed for conversion of existing track between Ballarat and Ararat from broad to standard gauge; new rolling stock, train station upgrades and associated works.
The Ask
$371m
The cost of proposals in the 2017 Feasibility Report has been estimated in a peer-reviewed process.
• Stage 1 of the proposals (those for early implementation) - are costed at $1.6m;
• Stage 2, including new trains and standardisation of the Ballarat to Ararat railway and associated train stabling, maintenance and signalling, has an estimated capital cost of $369m and an additional annual operating cost of $6.1m.
Priorities Addressed
- Community Activation
- Economic Growth
- Environment
- Mental Health
- Jobs
Road Upgrades, Safety and Speed
Challenge
Roads within the Southern Grampians comprise 603km of arterial roads classified as highways and main roads which are managed by VicRoads, with 2,818km of municipal roads managed by Council. Council is the responsible authority for approximately 1,573km of sealed rural roads, 1,085km of rural unsealed roads, and 160km of sealed and unsealed urban or town roads.
With approximately 3,564km of roads within the Shire, maintenance and restoration is a constant challenge for Council. Council places a high priority on road maintenance works with an average Council expenditure of $2.6m annually in road maintenance alone. Council has also invested $27m over the past five years to undertake renewal and upgrade works. Where possible, Council seeks external funding to assist with these works.
Southern Grampians residents, businesses and visitors proactively report issues pertaining to the road surface quality, Council undertakes regular inspections of the local road network and engages with residents and businesses in the development of the Road Management Plan and associated asset plans.Arterial roads with significant degradation include the Glenelg Highway, Henty Highway, Hamilton Highway and the Coleraine Edenhope Road. These roads have been without appropriate upgrade works for several years however the heavy vehicle volumes have not diminished, resulting in unsafe driving practices and further degradation to the road verges. Long periods of speed reduction zones are operational across the regional road network due to the current state of disrepair across the arterial network.60km/hr speed limits on arterial roads through smaller townships such as Dunkeld and Penshurst raises safety issues particularly for local drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Solution
Council is currently undertaking integrated traffic management plans across all modes of transport within the local network to establish a long-term works programs.
An upgraded arterial network servicing Southern Grampians and the South West Victorian region will ensure continued heavy vehicle access to support local and regional economic activity and will address road safety issues.
Reduction in speed limits through small rural towns throughout Victoria to 40km/hr will increase safety and encourage local community activity in small towns.
The Ask
Council seeks commitment from the State and Commonwealth Government for recurrent and capital funding for upgrade works on the key arterial roads servicing Southern Grampians and the south-west Victorian region.
Priorities Addressed
- Community Safety
- Maintain and Renew Infrastructure
Western District Health Service Hamilton Base Hospital Redevelopment
Challenge
The redevelopment of the Hamilton Base Hospital (HBH) emergency, intensive care and radiology departments will ensure high quality clinical services are provided to the Southern Grampians Shire community for years to come.
Current and future patient numbers are expected to rise and the existing facilities are considered sub-optimal to meet the evolving clinical service demands.
WDHS is renowned as an innovative leader and for the delivery of service excellence - this is not considered sustainable with the current infrastructure.
Solution
Council is seeking a commitment from the State Government to fund a $44m redevelopment at HBH.
The existing area supporting these services occupies a floor area of 686m2. The new building consists of a single story structure, located at Foster Street Hamilton and will increase the total footprint to 2,159m2.
In recognition of their commitment to this project, the WDHS Board of Directors is contributing $2m to the redevelopment.
This flagship local project will transform the services offered at WDHS and create a lasting legacy for the local community.
The Ask
Council is seeking a commitment from the State Government to fund a $44m redevelopment at Hamilton Base Hospital.
- Economic Growth
- Mental Health
- COVID Recovery
- Jobs