Baw Baw Shire Council continues to advocate for community
Published on 14 May 2025
Major community infrastructure, road and recreation projects are among Baw Baw Shire Council’s key advocacy priorities for 2025.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Danny Goss says it is crucial for Council to continue to advocate to both State and Federal Governments for support to build and upgrade local community infrastructure, and by doing so help Council to enhance Baw Baw Shire’s liveability and secure its future as a thriving, innovative region.
“Warragul/Drouin is the fastest growing town in Australia and that massive growth is forecast to continue. The infrastructure pressures here are enormous,” explains Cr Goss.
“We need major road infrastructure to support development, and significant investment in our parks and recreation spaces. Our rapidly growing population is putting pressure on Council to provide more sporting infrastructure and cultural spaces.
“We’ve been advocating hard for years to be able to build a new library here in Warragul to better meet the needs of the community. Our hard work and advocacy has paid off, construction of the the new Library and Learning Centre will start later this year.
“This is the type of thing people moving here are expecting and asking for. Baw Baw Shire Council is proud to support our community now and into the future. But we cannot do it alone.
“We will continue to advocate to all levels of Government for the support we need to keep delivering for our community and providing lifestyle and economic opportunities for our residents and investors.”
Baw Baw Shire’s current advocacy priorities include:
Roads and Transport Infrastructure
Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election, both the Labor and Liberal Governments committed their support to Baw Baw Shire’s request to see $3 million in funding allocated to Regional Roads Victoria to design a modern, fit-for purpose arterial road network.
Monash candidate Mary Aldred also made a $4.2 million election commitment to construct a four-way roundabout at Weebar Rd, Drouin if the Liberals were elected.
Early Childhood Sector Investment
Early years reforms, introduced in 2022, aim to ensure that all 3- and 4-year-old children in Victoria have access to 15 hours of free kinder by 2029. Current funding provided by the State Government is not anticipated to cover the full cost of the community kindergarten infrastructure required to ensure enough places are available in the Baw Baw Shire.
Baw Baw Shire Council recognises the significant value of the reforms and is appealing to Government to provide additional support to meet the disproportionate demand for places in this rapidly growing region.
New West Gippsland Hospital
Baw Baw Shire Council will continue to work with the West Gippsland Healthcare Group to pressure both the State and Federal government to deliver the new West Gippsland Hospital.
“Our growing community desperately want to see the hospital construction proceed as soon as possible,” says Cr Goss.
“Our residents need better access to health services now, and a hospital that will allow for expansion as our population keeps increasing.”
Council will continue to progress key actions from the Baw Baw Recreation Strategy 2017-2027 and plans including, the Drouin Recreation Plan, Warragul Outdoor Recreation Plan, Rural Recreation Reserve Master Plans and the Dowton Park Master Plan.
“We are also exploring ways to secure funding for a multiphase redevelopment of Warragul’s Western Park Reserve. This project will support an existing 16 football and 15 cricket teams, allowing clubs to grow and providing quality facilities for visiting clubs, local schools and community members who use the venue,” says Cr Goss.
Phase one of the proposed Western Park Pavilions redevelopment will include the construction of a new satellite pavilion and kiosk to service the reserves second oval, with further redevelopment planned for the existing main pavilion to meet contemporary AFL standards.