Identifying key infrastructure priorities was a key point of discussion when federal deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley joined Liberal candidate for Monash Mary Aldred recently to meet with local council and business community representatives.
The pair met with Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss and councillors to discuss priorities. Ms Aldred also provided an opportunity for a number of small business owners to meet with Ms Ley, who is shadow minister for small and family business."
Baw Baw Shire is rapidly growing and our infrastructure hasn't kept pace with that growth. I'm determined to fight for the funding we need to lock in key infrastructure, fix our roads and get our local traffic moving," Ms Aldred said.
"My experience in securing major infrastructure funding through the Committee for Gippsland taught me how valuable it is to have a strong partnership with local government to identify and deliver big projects, so I was pleased the mayor and a number of councillors were part of the discussion.
"I also thought it was important that local small business owners and residents were given a direct voice on these issues as well," she said.
As West Gippsland resident, Ms Aldred said she understood the daily challenges community members faced with local roads and infrastructure not keeping pace with population increases. "As part of a strong Coalition team, I'm able to bring shadow ministers to meet with our community and listen to their concerns directly to secure the outcomes we need," she said.
Cr Goss welcomed the opportunity for advocacy.
"Meetings like this are extremely valuable from council's point of view. Instead of being part of a large delegation of similar councils to Canberra it is much more efficient and personal to be able to put the views of the council directly to a leading politician.
"She was very interested to hear of the huge infrastructure issues facing Baw Baw. I put to her that the federal Financial Assistance Grants should be restored to previous levels to allow council to choose the best way to spend money locally," he said.
Cr Goss also outlined the "very poor State Government response to the growth they have imposed on us here."
"We will need to rely more and more on the Federal Government for assistance in the future as the State Government blows money on big projects in Melbourne.
"I mentioned the big issues facing small business today in the real world. Unfair Dismissal laws and unworkable awards and bargaining systems is killing many small businesses. And at the same time households are being hit with the biggest cost of living crisis since the 1990s recession," he said.
Cr Goss said Ms Ley was very interested in hearing about the types of Infrastructure needed in Baw Baw including sporting facilities, roundabouts and intersections.