Home » Putting highlands on radar

Putting highlands on radar

Central Highlands Councils are working hard in the lead up to this year’s Victorian state election to ensure the region’s priorities are high on both government and opposition’s agendas.

The Central Highlands Mayors and CEO Forum includes representatives from Ararat Rural City Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council, City of Ballarat, Golden Plains Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council and Pyrenees Shire Council.

The Forum’s primary responsibility is to provide strategic oversight and identify emerging issues and priorities for the region.

Central Highlands Mayors and CEO’S Forum Chair Councillor Paul Hooper has emphasised the importance of lobbying both sides of the Government to
ensure the Forum’s transformational projects are on the government agenda.

“We can’t foresee who will be in Government after this year’s election, that is why we are working hard so that both sides of government are well briefed on our transformative projects.”

The projects in question plan to restructure the local economy, potentially leading to significant investment and job creation for the region.

Some of these projects aim to bring better phone coverage to regional areas, greater investment into regional roads and attract large-scale investment in local jobs.

Cr Hooper said the Forum would continue to work with all parties and develop partnerships to ensure the Central Highlands region is a top priority.

Digital Editions


  • Special transformative project for Bayside

    Special transformative project for Bayside

    In the northwest pocket of Bayside City Council’s municipal boundary, something very special is happening. Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve is a transformative project. The former…

More News

  • Change in the weather

    Change in the weather

    AUSSIE FLOOD RESCUE It’s obvious to everybody that we are seeing weather changes. It appears to be more erratic and frequent than ever before. Local government bodies are plagued by…

  • Dandycon set to return

    Dandycon set to return

    Dandy Con, Greater Dandenong’s much loved comic and pop culture festival, returns on Saturday 11 April 2026 between 11am–4pm, bigger than ever. This free, all ages event fills Dandenong Library,…

  • A creative future for Kingston

    A creative future for Kingston

    The community has been invited to help shape Kingston’s creative and cultural future. Kingston residents are being invited to help finalise the city’s cultural roadmap, with the Draft Creative and…

  • Tweed residents gunking up wastewater

    Tweed residents gunking up wastewater

    Tweed Shire Council is urging residents to rethink what they flush down the toilet and pour down the drain, after revealing that crews remove around 156 tonnes of rubbish and…

  • In memory of Chris Quilkey

    In memory of Chris Quilkey

    It was with great sadness that we learned that former Blacktown City Deputy Mayor and Councillor Chris Quilkey has passed away. First and foremost, our thoughts are with Chris’s family,…

  • Unit demolished as Ipswich flood recovery continues

    Unit demolished as Ipswich flood recovery continues

    Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has welcomed the demolition of Mihi Grove, a flood-hit 42-unit complex in Brassall purchased as part of the Queensland and Australian Government’s Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary…

  • Fraser adopts tree

    Fraser adopts tree

    The Fraser Coast now has an official tree, with Council today adopting the Kauri Pine as a symbol of the region’s culture, history and natural environment. Fraser Coast Mayor George…

  • Council take on much-loved garden

    Council take on much-loved garden

    Glenorchy City Council will take on the administration of the Chigwell Community Garden, securing the future of the much-loved community space and supporting continued shared use by local groups. Glenorchy…

  • Fuel prices hurt country LGAs

    Fuel prices hurt country LGAs

    The fuel crisis is hitting remote, rural and regional communities hard, with farmers, freight carriers, tourism operators and local government all expressing concerns about the lack of supply and the…

  • Navigating grants

    Navigating grants

    How Administrative Complexity Is Eroding One of Local Government’s Most Powerful Tools Local government grants exist to create impact in communities. Yet across the sector, that purpose is increasingly being…