South Gippsland secures $10 million for better roads and regional development

South Gippsland's advocacy machine is working overtime - and it's paying dividends with more than $10 million raised through state and federal grants.

What happened: South Gippsland Council's strategic advocacy approach has secured over $10 million in grant funding this year, including $3 million for bridge repairs and $2.4 million for the Simon's Lane intersection with Bass Highway upgrade.

The funding breakdown: 

• $3 million for four bridge replacement works between Poowong and Bena.

• $2.4 million to realign Simon's Lane with Bass Highway.

• $200,000 in funding through Victoria’s Resilient Coasts grants program for risk assessment work along South Gippsland’s coast.

• $4.7 million secured through the federal government in conjunction with Wellington Shire and Gunaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation to plan for the influx of offshore wind farm workers to the region.

Next year’s planning: At an October 15 council meeting, South Gippsland Shire also laid out their 2026 advocacy priorities - areas where the council will seek funding from the state or federal government. 

Councillor Nathan Hersey highlighted South Gippsland’s previous success.

🗣️ “[The bridge repairs] was something that was in our budget already that we would’ve had to pay for. We can now fund those improvements for bridges out of grant money instead, which leaves money available for other projects.”

The 2026 priorities:  Next year, South Gippsland Shire will focus on getting funding to support:

• Increase in road repairs funding

• Disaster recovery infrastructure funding

• Telecommunications and transport improvements

• More support for community groups

• Increased funding for coastal resilience

• Community facility upgrades

• Increased mental health services across the shire

• Funding for early years and childcare infrastructure.

🗣️  More work to be done: Councillor Clare Williams voiced her strong support for more community group funding. Williams said she volunteers 10-hours a week and knows other councillors volunteer for 40 hours a week. 

• “It’s never ending and it’s really tough,” said Williams.

• Williams said further community group funding could provide training in social media, event planning, grant writing and committee governance.

• The councillor also highlighted the region’s childcare industry, a service she believed was lacking while also being “sometimes the only safe place that people in our community have to take their children and be able to learn.”

Support from local members: Mayor John Schelling emphasised the council's close working relationships with local state and federal MPs, including federal member for Monash Mary Aldred and state MP’s Tom McIntosh, Danny O'Brien and Melina Bath.