State Budget investment welcomed, but Greater Shepparton’s growth outpaces funding

As a growing regional city supporting a diverse population, workforce and business base well beyond its municipal boundaries, Greater Shepparton has consistently advocated for fair and timely investment in essential infrastructure and services. Community voices have been central to this advocacy, highlighting the real-world impacts of under investment on safety, access, opportunity and liveability.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the Budget delivered some positive outcomes for the community, particularly in education, health, transport, housing and roads, but did not go far enough for the Greater Shepparton community.

“We acknowledge the investments for Greater Shepparton included in this Budget but there are still clear gaps that our community will continue to feel,” he said.

Funding announced in the 2026 State Budget that will benefit Greater Shepparton includes:

A $29.8 million investment delivering nine return train services per day between Shepparton and Melbourne, following completion of the Shepparton Line Upgrade, improving rail connectivity and reliability for the region.
$480,000 to support Basketball High Performance Hubs, including the Shepparton hub alongside Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon.
$7.1 million to operationalise a new PET scanner at Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton Hospital, strengthening access to advanced diagnostic services locally.
A state-wide commitment of $75 million through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, to renew and upgrade infrastructure across regional and rural health services.
$1.2 million for the Shepparton Education Plan, supporting student engagement, wellbeing services and post-secondary pathways at Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
$1.3 million to continue Place Based Education Plans at Shepparton and John Fawkner Colleges, helping connect students and families with community focused supports to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes.
More than $15 million to support five supportive housing sites in Shepparton, Mildura, Seddon, Melbourne and St Kilda, providing assistance for people experiencing housing vulnerability.

The Budget also includes a state-wide investment of $1 billion for regional road maintenance, however this is not an increase in investment for regional Victoria.

“This funding is allocated each year for regional road maintenance and does nothing to improve the current situation of our roads. Without a genuine increase in funding, the maintenance backlog will continue to grow, and the same issues will re‑emerge year after year,” Cr Sali said.

“Investment in safer roads is critical for communities like ours, where local and arterial roads carry heavy freight volumes and support agriculture, industry and regional movement.”

Cr Sali said while reduced public transport fares and improved rail services were positive steps, access to transport remained a key issue locally.

“Cheaper fares don’t help if services aren’t available. In Greater Shepparton, bus frequency and coverage remain major barriers for many residents. Investment in fares needs to be matched with investment in local services so people can actually get where they need to go,” he said.

Council will continue to review the Budget in detail and advocate for outstanding priorities identified by the community.

“We have been clear in our advocacy for six priority projects for the region, including funding for roads, a bus network review, regionally significant public health system, water security, an Enabling Infrastructure Fund, and the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre. It is disappointing to see our major priorities not being funded,” he said.

“We’ll keep working with the Victorian Government to ensure essential services, infrastructure and transport keep pace with population growth and regional demand, while supporting safety, equity and long-term regional prosperity.

“Council’s advocacy asks will continue to be a focus for Greater Shepparton as we head towards a state election later in the year.”