Federal Election Community Q&A
On the 29th of April, Council held our very first community Q&A event which gave the community the opportunity to hear from all candidates running in the seat of La Trobe at the 2025 Federal Election.
Questions were put to candidates regarding:
- Cardinia Shire’s key advocacy priorities and where these sit on candidates’ list of priorities.
- The role they see for themselves and the Federal Government in addressing the need for more investment in Cardinia Shire.
- Their priorities to ensure residents have access to reliable transport.
- Drivers of cost of living pressures and their plans to address this.
- Climate change and their plans to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events locally.
- The role of the Federal Government in investing in key sport and recreation infrastructure, and their priorities to improve the health and wellbeing of the community.
- Candidates’ long-term vision for Cardinia Shire over the next 25 years.
In his opening address, Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik highlighted the shire’s key advocacy priorities and the significant community support for each project.
Not only was this a unique opportunity for residents to hear from their potential representatives, but it also sent a message to Canberra that there is strong, widespread support for major investment that has been neglected for too long in Cardinia Shire.
You can watch the full recording of the Community Q&A here: https://youtu.be/GmKx8StR0Jg?si=Ucq2ndTgDrOAnabh
Princes Highway Intersection Upgrades
Council has been raising the issue of growing congestion in Officer along the Princes Highway. As our local population continues to grow, it is important to invest in roads that have the capacity to handle larger volumes of traffic and ensure everyone can get home quickly.
Thanks to the support of the Australian Government, these key intersections received the funding required to add new lanes, better bike and pedestrian links, and landscaping and signal works.
You can learn more about the progress of these works by clicking here.
The Australian Government has also confirmed that the 2025 Budget includes funding to upgrade an additional intersection on the Princes Highway at Brunt Road. Further details about this project will be available in the near future.
Sealing the Hills
Council knows that unsealed roads across the Dandenong Ranges are a major concern for residents. Not only are they prone to potholes and dust issues, they also present a risk during natural disasters like bushfires and major storms.
Council has been calling for a package of road sealing projects to resolve these issues as well as cut down on road maintenance costs for ratepayers. Thanks to funding from the Australian Government, hundreds of kilometers of roads in the Dandenong Ranges were scheduled to be sealed.
Although 38 roads have been completed or are underway, unfortunately there was a funding cut in early 2023 that forced the cancellation of over a hundred planned roads. Council are actively advocating for this funding to be restored.
You can learn more about the Sealing the Hills package by clicking here, and about our advocacy on this issue by clicking here.
Cockatoo Community Centre Energy Resilience Upgrade
Residents of the Dandenong Ranges are forced to deal with regular power outages due to strong storms in the area. It is important that there are suitable community facilities with backup power that can be used when there is a days-long blackout at home.
Council has been calling for more investment in storm recovery and preparedness facilities in affected regions and the Victorian Government have delivered funding to help make this a reality in Cockatoo.
The upgraded Cockatoo Community Centre will have both solar-powered batteries and a backup generator, and will provide free access to hot showers, power, and important government agencies like the SES.
Pakenham Revitalisation Project
Council has been planning a major overhaul of the Pakenham CBD to transform it into a safe, vibrant, pedestrian-focused precinct that is ready for the forecast population growth around Pakenham East.
Council has been successful in seeking funding from the Victorian Government to help kick-start vital enabling infrastructure that will allow later stages of the project to take place. This will complement existing State Government projects like the upgrade of Pakenham Station and the Pakenham Community Hospital.
Council are continuing to call for additional funding from the Victorian and Australian Governments to fund the remaining stages of the project. You can learn more by clicking here.
Pakenham Roads Upgrade
Pakenham has seen significant population growth in recent decades and is forecast to continue expanding with the development of Pakenham East. Council has been drawing attention to the major congestion that has made it difficult for people to get to work, school, and home during peak periods.
This advocacy has resulted in funding from the Australian Government to futureproof Pakenham's major arterial connections to the Monash Freeway. This includes brand new freeway on ramps and overpasses, duplications of Racecourse Road and McGregor Road, and the signalisation of key intersections in the area.
Funding from the Federal Government was essential to enable infrastructure projects of this scale. Works are ongoing and you can learn more about the progress by clicking here.
Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Duplication
Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road is a key connection between towns in the south of Cardinia Shire and Pakenham, including access to the Monash Freeway. With increased traffic, the road was becoming increasingly congested and dangerous for drivers.
Council were successful in advocating for funding from the Victorian Government to duplicate a major segment of the road as well as upgrading dangerous intersections and installing an active transport corridor. This was delivered alongside the Pakenham Roads Upgrade and finished over a year ahead of schedule.
You can learn more about this project by clicking here.
