Our Region is Growing - Our Needs Are Too!

The Victorian state election will be held on 28 November 2026 and now is the time to speak up and make sure our region gets the funding it deserves.

Council is committed to strengthening liveability, economic growth, and longterm regional resilience.

We have BIG ambitions - projects that will shape your future. But we need YOU to help make them happen!

Our Top 5 Advocacy Priorities focus on unlocking investment, improving essential services, and delivering community-driven infrastructure.

“We have a great place to live, work and grow, shared by our diverse culture and connected community.”

Priority number one - A New Swan Hill Bridge

Objective: Secure commitment to deliver new Swan Hill Bridge as the next major infrastructure investment along the Murray River.

What we need:

Securing an additional $100 million funding required to commence construction.

We will:

Demonstrate cross-border economic, freight, tourism, and community benefits.
Arrange joint advocacy with Murray River and Balranald Shire Council, industry partners, and regional stakeholders.
Facilitate site visits for Ministers and candidates to reinforce readiness and urgency.

Delivery of Council’s Riverfront and Recreation Reserve Masterplans

Competition of the Swan Hill Hospital redevelopment

Safer State Roads and Intersections

Objective: Upgrade dangerous State managed intersections and key regional roads to support safety, freight efficiency, and economic activity.

Key priorities:

Traffic lights at Gray & Campbell Streets in Swan Hill.
A roundabout at Murlong & McCallum Streets in Swan Hill.

We will:

Use strong evidence to create pressure.
Host high-impact on-site Ministerial visits

Delivery of Council’s Riverfront and Recreation Reserve Masterplans

Objective: To deliver the Riverfront and Recreation Reserve Masterplans, unlocking vibrant, accessible spaces that benefit the whole community.

What we need:

$8 million for a new Swan Hill Sporting Hub
$3 million to complete the Robinvale Riverfront Masterplan - remaining projects
$5 million to complete Swan Hill Riverfront Masterplan - remaining projects
$4 million to deliver a Swan Hill Youth, Families and Children's Hub
$10 million to deliver Ken Harrison Recreation Reserve Masterplan
$1 million to deliver Nyah Riverfront Masterplan projects

We will:

Promote shovel-ready masterplans.
Link investment to health, wellbeing, and regional liveability outcomes.
Use on-site tours to demonstrate ageing facilities and community demand.

Address Housing Challenges

Objective: Improve housing availability, key worker accommodation, and small-town development.

What we need:

$15 million for key worker accommodation
Release of surplus government land
$5 million for water/sewer infrastructure in small towns
Support for local land development and innovative housing solutions

We will:

Promote Council’s proven delivery model (e.g., Robinvale homes, McCartney Court).
Demonstrate economic impacts of housing shortages on agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Advocate for policies supporting workers, including overseas workers.

Swan Hill Hospital - Complete Remaining Stages

Objective: Support Swan Hill District Health to secure investment to complete the full Swan Hill Hospital upgrade.

We will:

Collaborate with Swan Hill District Health.
Emphasise the hospital’s vital role supporting a 35,000-person cross-border catchment.

How You Can Help?

SPEAK UP – Tell election candidates the projects that matter!

WRITE OR EMAIL – Contact decision-makers and demand action.

SPREAD THE WORD – Get involved and make your voice heard.

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Let’s secure the funding our community needs and make Swan Hill an even better place to live, work, and visit

Document Library

2026 Advocacy Priorities
PDF (2.12 MB)
Our top 5 advocacy priorities.

What we're advocating for!

These game-changing projects will make our community stronger, safer, and more connected:

An additional $80 million is needed to complete the construction of the new Swan Hill Bridge. Council urges the Victorian State Government to prioritise this project as the next major infrastructure investment along the Murray and commit $40 million towards its delivery. Murray River Council will continue to advocate to the New South Wales Government for the remaining $40 million, noting their existing contribution of $7.5 million.

Final designs for the new Swan Hill Bridge are currently being prepared and costed, with a construction timeline yet to be confirmed. However, recent updates from Transport NSW indicate promising progress towards delivering this critical piece of regional infrastructure.

Council sincerely thanks the Federal Government for its $60 million contribution and encourages continued advocacy to help bring this essential project to fruition.

Council asks the Government to continue the successful Roads to Recovery program and provide further funding to upgrade critical road infrastructure, ensuring safety and efficiency across our region.

Murray Valley Highway

Key upgrades identified in the Central Murray Regional Transport Strategy include pavement widening, shoulder sealing, additional passing lanes north of Nyah, improved intersections, and rest stops. These improvements will reduce conflicts between freight, buses, caravans, and other vehicles, enhancing safety and travel times.

Gray & Campbell Street Intersection

Similar concerns were raised about this intersection, with significant input from the community. These dangers highlight the critical need for prioritised improvements to ensure safer travel for residents and visitors.

Murlong & McCallum Street Intersection

Community feedback highlighted the dangers at this notorious Swan Hill intersection. Alarmingly, many incidents and near misses remain unreported, underscoring the urgent need for safety upgrades.

A total of 452 surveys were completed by our community on the two intersections.

Arterial Roads

In line with the Grattan Institute’s findings, Council calls for greater investment in arterial roads. Addressing these infrastructure gaps is vital to providing safe, efficient, and equitable transport options for our community.

Council seeks Government support to fund critical community infrastructure projects, ensuring vibrant, sustainable spaces for our residents.

Our funding priorities include:

$20M for a new public swimming pool for Swan Hill.
$8 million to construct the Swan Hill Showground and Sporting Hub.
$3.5 million for a Children, Youth, and Families Hub.
$4 million for the Ken Harrison Regional Tennis Centre of Excellence.
$5 million to implement all actions from the Robinvale Riverfront Masterplan.

Council seeks $15 million to administer key worker accommodation projects, providing essential housing for the region’s workforce and addressing critical housing shortages.

The lack of affordable housing hinders economic growth, particularly affecting seasonal workers, as only 60–70 homes are built annually—far below demand.

Additionally, Council urges the Government to review surplus land holdings and consider releasing these assets to Council for future housing and community project developments.

Council has successfully delivered eight homes in Robinvale, with ten more currently under construction at McCartney Court, supported by a $5 million State Government grant. A $5 million application has been submitted to fund 15 new dwellings in Swan Hill. However, more support is critically needed to meet the region’s escalating housing and economic demands.

Council has taken proactive steps by forming the Housing Action: Greater Swan Hill Committee and collaborating with dedicated partners to overcome housing challenges.

Council calls on the Federal Government to invest in the next stages of redevelopment of the Swan Hill Hospital. A minimum investment of $50 million is essential to advance this vital project and ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to our growing community.

Serving a catchment of 35,000 people, including a cross-border community of both Victorian and NSW residents, Swan Hill District Health faces significant challenges with outdated and inadequate infrastructure. While progress has been made with $65.7 million invested—$35.7 million from the Victorian Government and $30 million from the Federal Government—modernising the emergency department, further work is essential.

Additional funding is urgently needed to replace ageing facilities in key areas, including Dialysis, Oncology, and the acute and subacute wards. These upgrades are vital to ensuring the hospital can continue delivering high-quality healthcare and meet.

We are calling for support in advocating to the Victorian Government to ensure our region receives the investment it receives.

Council seeks Government support to finalise a preferred design and secure funding of $15 million for pedestrian connectivity between the CBD and the Riverfront Precinct, boosting commercial activity and tourism.

Since the 2013 Swan Hill Riverfront Masterplan, Council has been committed to creating a pedestrian link between Curlewis Street and Monash Drive. For over a decade, efforts to establish the Rail Precinct Pedestrian Overpass have been underway, with funding earmarked in Council’s 10-Year Major Project Plan.

To date, Council has invested over $10 million in infrastructure upgrades, alongside $5 million in federal funding for Riverfront enhancements, including repairs to the Pental Island pedestrian bridge and the Ten Steps.

We urgently need Government support to address the critical childcare shortage in our region. We need: Onsite kinder facilities at schools, stronger support for developers to integrate childcare into housing projects, and simplified training requirements and innovative strategies to increase early years educators.

Parents' ability to work is being severely impacted by this shortage. In Swan Hill, there is a shortfall of 90 full-time childcare spaces, while Robinvale has just 1 childcare space available for every 10 children. The upcoming State roll-out of free kindergarten in 2027 will further strain existing facilities and resources, making immediate action essential to meet growing demand.

Council is seeking $5 million in Government funding to directly cover the costs of water and sewage infrastructure in new small town developments.

This funding will serve as a powerful incentive for developers to build in the areas that need it most, addressing critical housing shortages in key agricultural, horticultural, and manufacturing regions.

By fostering these developments, the initiative aims to strengthen regional economies and support sustainable community growth.

We need faster, more reliable train and coach services for our region.

Council calls on the Federal Government to streamline pathways for overseas workers by simplifying permanent residency processes and tackling workforce shortages in critical regional industries, including agriculture, horticulture, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare. Additionally, Council seeks an ongoing commitment of $500,000 to support workers in delivering essential community programs.

Workforce shortages persist, placing pressure on local industries. While Council welcomes new immigration agreements, further action is required.

Key priorities include:

Streamlining the visa process for overseas workers.
Supporting permanent residency for regional workers.
Planning for Seasonal Worker Accommodation.
Increasing funding for community organisations that assist overseas workers, enhancing settlement outcomes and ensuring their contributions strengthen our communities.

Securing funding for short-term emergency accommodation is essential to safeguarding lives and breaking the cycle of violence.

Council is seeking a $50,000 funding commitment to conduct a population study for Swan Hill.

In 2019 the Robinvale Population Determination Study was conducted, which revealed a true population of 7,000–8,800—far exceeding the ABS's official 2021 Census figure of 3,740.

Accurate population data is critical for recognition and resource allocation in our region.

A message from our Mayor, Cr Stuart King

This video was prepared ahead of the Federal Election in May 2025.

Big ideas for a better Swan Hill region!

Our Region is Growing - Our Needs Are Too!

Priority number one - A New Swan Hill Bridge

Safer State Roads and Intersections

Delivery of Council’s Riverfront and Recreation Reserve Masterplans

Address Housing Challenges

Swan Hill Hospital - Complete Remaining Stages

Ready to have your say?

Contact Us

Big ideas for a better Swan Hill region!

Our Region is Growing - Our Needs Are Too!

​Priority number one - A New Swan Hill Bridge

Safer State Roads and Intersections

Delivery of Council’s Riverfront and Recreation Reserve Masterplans

Address Housing Challenges

Swan Hill Hospital - Complete Remaining Stages

Ready to have your say?

Contact Us

Priority number one - A New Swan Hill Bridge