Advocacy Agenda 2025-29
| The project | The ask | The benefit |
| Headline Priorities | ||
| Cardinia Life Regional Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium Redevelopment | $60m split between all three levels of government. | A modern and future-proofed basketball centre that incorporates a new gymnasium and other key amenities. |
| Local Higher Education | State Government partnership with existing TAFE providers to deliver a dedicated campus in Pakenham | Cardinia Shire’s first higher education facility, building a more skilled workforce and tailoring courses to the needs of the local economy. |
| Parks and Open Space Package | Officer
District Park – Stage 2 ($7m) PB Ronald Reserve Pakenham – Stage 1 ($10m) McMullen Recreation Reserve Officer ($12.6m) | Improving participation in our area’s most popular sports, ensuring that our youth are engaged and healthy. |
| Lang Lang Truck Bypass | Delivery of a dedicated bypass route (estimated $57m) for heavy vehicle trucks connecting South Gippsland’s extractive industries to the South Gippsland Highway. | Supports safe and efficient heavy vehicle and freight movements whilst protecting vulnerable road users. |
| Strategic Road Sealing Package | Co-investment with Council to seal priority unsealed roads across Cardinia Shire. | Improved emergency access, community safety, and climate resilience. |
| Public Transport Package | State Government investment in bus services and public transport connections across Cardinia Shire | Reduce car dependency, support workforce participation and connect isolated communities to essential services. |
| Delivering a Liveable Community | ||
| Sporting Pavilion Equitable Access Package | $8m
for IYU Regional Athletics Pavilion $2.1m for Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve Pavilion $340,000 for Pakenham Outdoor Pool | Encouraging female and disabled residents to get involved in sports by modernising ageing and outdated pavilions with accessible replacements. |
| Financial Sustainability of Local Government | Dedicated growth area funding opportunities that enable infrastructure investment. | Better service delivery and additional local investment, reducing pressure on state and federal governments. |
| Officer Town Centre Activation Package | $6m
for the Officer Library and Community Hub Delivery of the Officer North-South Arterial Unlocking state-owned land for private development | Kickstarting a vibrant community and economic hub in the heart of Officer. |
| Racecourse Road Duplication | Delivery of an estimated $60m road duplication and intersection. | Removal of the last major bottleneck in the Pakenham road network. |
| Princes Highway Safety and Connectivity Upgrades | $25m
to complete business cases outlining design solutions for four dangerous
intersections. Co-investment with Council to signalise two intersections that improve safety and unlock housing. | A safer and more efficient road network that supports a larger population by improving outdated and dangerous intersections. |
| Defending Native Species Package | $2.45m
for bandicoot habitat restoration $2.1 million to deliver 20 new wetlands $7.1 million for the Officer South PSP Integrated Water Management Plan | Protection of endangered native flora and fauna from urban development and unsustainable water use. |
| Social and Affordable Housing | Policy and planning reforms to enable greater supply of social and affordable housing. | Reduction in social housing waitlists and increased support for local families in housing stress. |
| Investing in the Future | ||
| Unlocking Officer South Employment Precinct | $8.7m for the construction of the Lower
Gum Scrub Bridge External delivery of the Thompsons Road Expansion $5.8m for the construction of the Centenary Boulevard Bridge | Delivery of a state significant industrial and commercial hub, enabling 20,000 new jobs. |
| Pakenham Revitalisation Project | Partnership with other levels of government to deliver key pieces of infrastructure | Sparking economic development with a modern, pedestrian-first CBD for a rapidly growing suburb. |
| Storm and Flood Resilience Package | Investment in targeted programs protecting critical telecommunications, preventing flood risks, and restoring damaged ecosystems | Reducing the financial, environmental, and human cost of natural disasters |
| EV Charging Stations | Co-investment for a Cardinia led rollout of public EV charging (fast and destination chargers) at priority car parks and activity centres. | Supporting the climate transition by enabling increased consumer choice. |
| Strengthening Local Police Presence and Specialist Services | Delivery of a second 24-hour police station and dedicated specialist services targeting youth crime and family violence | Reversing rising crime rates and entrenched family violence to improve community safety and economic activity. |
| South East Melbourne Airport | State Government planning protections for the
future airport site to prevent inappropriate development that could jeopardise
long-term aviation infrastructure | Generates projected $1 billion in economic activity by creating an export hub for agriculture and manufacturing, as well as boosting local tourism. |
