MRGC - Strengthening partnership with State Government

Published on 11 June 2025

The Murray River Group of Councils had a very productive meeting with Victorian Minister for Local Government in Yarrawonga on Thursday 5 June.

The Hon Nick Staikos and senior State Government officials were welcomed by Murray River Group of Councils Chair, Cr Dan Straub and host, Graeme Emonson, the Chair Administrator of Moira Shire.

Joining them were the Mayors and the Chief Executive Officers of the councils which make up the group – Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Loddon and Campaspe and Moira Shire Council.

Murray River Group Mayors were able to present to Minister Staikos on the Group’s key regional priorities – including water, housing, roads, and energy.

The Group also raised a number of other challenges the councils are facing such as the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy and welcomed discussion about regional and rural Local Government financial sustainability.

Murray River Group chair Cr Dan Straub, the Mayor of Loddon Shire Council, said the meeting was an important step in strengthening partnerships with the Victorian Government.

“It was a great opportunity to engage directly with the Minister and share the group’s key priorities and explore ways to partner for stronger outcomes for our communities,” Cr Straub said.

The Victorian Cross Border Commissioner Brett Davis also presented to the meeting and engaged in a positive discussion about the unique challenges our cross border towns and communities face and how the Group can work with the Commissioner to tackle them.

The meeting also discussed shared opportunities for investment, funding support and stronger collaboration between Local and State Government, while it started with a tour of the new library and community facilities under construction in Yarrawonga.

“Governments deliver best for our communities when Local and State Government are working in partnership, not against each other” said Cr Straub.

“We value our relationship with the Minister for Local Government and the broader Victorian Government and look forward to ongoing collaboration.

“We will also be heading to the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra later this month, where we will continue making our case to Federal Ministers and senior bureaucrats in Canberra.”

Caption: L – R: Felicity Macchion, CEO,Goulburn Valley Regional Libraries; Cr Dan Straub, Chair of Murray River Group of Councils; Graeme Emonson, Chair Administrator Moira Shire; Hon. Nick Staikos, Minister for Local Government; Susan Benedyka, Administrator Moira Shire; Matthew Morgan, CEO Moira Shire; and Thomas Lyle, Manager Project Delivery, Moira Shire – touring the future Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct on 5 June 2025.