Horsham, Northern Grampians and Ararat municipality's chief executives have been pushing for the federal government to fund key road projects in Tuesday night's budget.
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Northern Grampians Shire Council's Liana Thompson said receiving funding to establish a second traffic route into Halls Gap, by extending Health Street, was a priority.
"(This will) contribute significantly to the regional and statewide economic recovery from COVID-19 in the construction and tourism sectors," she said in a statement.
"Another item in the budget council is particularly excited about is the $1 Billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund. As our local economy is built on the backs of agriculture and tourism, this funding will be a real helping hand in terms of our regional COVID recovery."
"Other long-term projects we have lobbied for Federal funding includes the Sloane Street housing development, the Stawell Airport Upgrade, and A Regional Connectivity Upgrade.
"All of these will set our shire up for a bright future and ensure we can build a better region in a post-COVID world."
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Dr Tim Harrison said upgrades to heavy vehicle routes remained a priority, "as well the need for government intervention to solve the market failure situation which has prevented the development of new housing".
"Recent pre-budget announcements focused on supporting manufacturing, skills, innovation and improved digital communications will address some of those pressures," he said.
"Ararat Rural City Council will be making sure we partner with local industry, business and government to secure that investment.
"I'm extremely pleased Ararat is one of the first rollout areas nationally for a NBN Business Fibre Zone. The health crisis has transformed the way we rely on digital technology to work and communicate. Access to premium fibre and wholesale pricing, gives Ararat businesses a strategic advantage in the digital economy."
Horsham is another of the initial 12 rollout areas across Victoria.
Horsham Rural City Council's Sunil Bhalla said the upgrade the Dimboola Minyip Road was a priority.
"The Dimboola Minyip Road is a key link for heavy vehicle traffic from the Western Highway near Dimboola through to the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal," he said in a statement.
"As a result, the road experiences a greater proportion of heavy vehicle traffic than would normally be expected for a rural road of this type.
"It also provides a key connection for many grain farmers in the north west of the municipality who use the Dimboola Grain Centre.
"The Geodetic Road intersection with the Western Highway and railway line as well as the North East Wonwondah Road, south of Horsham, are other major road projects where we are requesting Commonwealth support to upgrade.
"We have also requested Commonwealth support for shared pathway projects and to develop accessible changerooms at the Aquatic Centre."
Mr Bhalla said the council had "no active funding applications" for the City to River suite of works.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
