EFFORTS to position Stawell at the forefront of the world's scientific research will step up a gear this week.
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Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson and chief executive officer Justine Linley head to Canberra Tuesday to discuss several key issues including the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL).
The Mayor and CEO will be accompanied by a Wimmera group of councils comprising Hindmarsh Shire, West Wimmera Shire, Yarriambiack Shire, Horsham Rural City and Buloke Shire for three days of make-or-break talks.
High on the agenda will be attempts to convince the Prime Minister and his parliamentary colleagues to match a $1.75 million State Government commitment for the SUPL.
"The key issue that we're talking about definitely is the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory," Ms Linley said.
The duo will meet with several key Ministers, along with Senator Bridget McKenzie, who is the current head of a higher education committee.
"That committee has significant input into research funding for scientists and the types of programs that the CoEPP (Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics) is currently undertaking, so that's a particularly important appointment," Ms Linley said.
"We're also looking for a guaranteed ongoing commitment to funding science research."
Council has submitted an application for the infrastructure requirements for the proposed SUPL through the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) in collaboration with Crocodile Gold and the CoEPP.
The application is for a federal government grant of $1.75 million to match the Victorian Government's commitment to enable construction of stage B of the SUPL.
The NSRF is due to be assessed by March 31 with successful applications to be announced in May.
“I am hopeful that we will get some indication of whether we are going to be successful or not with the application for $1.75 million this week,” Ms Linley said.
The SUPL isn’t the only issue on the table with a renewed focus on funding for the Western Highway duplication through to Stawell and other general upgrades to roads and infrastructure.
The Mayor and CEO will speak with the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs about the National Stronger Regions Fund and other big ticket infrastructure projects.
“I’m actually hopeful that we will get some commitments for roads funding, particularly for roads and infrastructure projects like the Western Highway duplication,” Ms Linley said.
“This has already been a long program of advocacy and lobbying, but we also want to see better funding for local government overall.”
Ms Linley said enhanced mobile communications remains a sticking point for council.
“We want to talk about mobile communications and ensure that we finally get some funding for some additional mobile phone coverage and improved weather radar services,” she said.
“We've been on that pitch for several years now and to this day we remain one of the only areas in the eastern seaboard of Australia that is in a black spot in terms of weather radar.
“So what you see and what you hear in weather forecasting is just modelling and predictions. They don’t actually really know, so that’s another really key issue.”
Ms Linley said it was important the Northern Grampians Shire was represented at this week’s talks in Canberra.
“The point is you have to keep going back, if you don’t there are 508 other municipalities from across Australia who are banging on the door at exactly the same time,” she said.
“If we are not there another council is going to get the funding.”
Cr Emerson said this week’s discussions in the nation’s capital were crucial as the Federal Government prepares to hand down another budget.
“It is a great opportunity for the Northern Grampians Shire to be able to be represented at Parliament House in Canberra,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity that we can’t knock back, it could open a lot of doors for us.
“It is hard work. It isn't just a matter of us going and having a few days away.
“We will be up there working our backsides off to make sure something comes out of it for the Northern Grampians Shire.”