Council & Politics
30 June, 2026
Growth at heart of council prospectus
CAPITAL support towards a $101–102 million hospital redevelopment, a $57.4 million science tourism attraction and completion of the Western Highway duplication between Ararat and Stawell are among the major projects Northern Grampians Shire Council is advocating for through a newly released prospectus.
The 2026 Advocacy Prospectus outlines projects council hopes to secure support for from state and federal governments and other funding bodies over coming years.
The document includes projects ranging from healthcare and transport to tourism, sport, water security and renewable energy transition planning.
Among the largest support priorities is a proposed redevelopment of St Arnaud Hospital, while another seeks $57.4 million for the proposed Dark Matter Experience Centre in Stawell.
Council is also advocating for completion of the Western Highway duplication, redevelopment of the Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre, expanded tourism infrastructure in Halls Gap and a range of renewable energy and water infrastructure initiatives.
Taken together, the projects outline a vision for a municipality seeking growth and investment rather than simply maintaining existing services.
The scale of some of the projects is notable.
The document’s two largest support priorities alone involve projects with combined estimated costs of more than $158 million.
Several proposals also depend on significant external investment and long-term government support.
The proposed Dark Matter Experience Centre, for example, was unveiled last year as a concept that would seek to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and establish Stawell as a major science tourism destination.
Whether those ambitions can be realised will depend largely on council’s ability to convince governments and funding partners to invest in projects that, in some cases, carry price tags running into tens of millions of dollars.
Many of the proposals would require support from governments facing competing demands across health, housing, education and infrastructure, while others remain at an early stage of development.
For now, the prospectus offers a glimpse of the future council hopes to build.
Whether that future proves achievable may ultimately depend on how much support governments are prepared to provide.
ADVOCACY PROSPECTUS: THE PROJECTS
Northern Grampians Shire Council’s Advocacy Prospectus groups projects into three categories reflecting council’s role in each proposal.
“Lead” priorities are projects council is directly driving and advocating for. “Partner” priorities are projects where council is working alongside other organisations or levels of government to secure outcomes. “Support” priorities are projects led by external organisations where council’s role is primarily to advocate for and support delivery.
The projects range from relatively modest community facility upgrades costing less than $100,000 through to major infrastructure and health proposals worth more than $100 million.
While inclusion in the prospectus does not guarantee funding or delivery, the document provides a snapshot of the projects council believes are most important to the future of the municipality and where it intends to focus its advocacy efforts.
LEAD PRIORITIES
SSAC Aquatics Redevelopment
Cost: $13 million
Redevelopment of the ageing aquatic facilities at the Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre, including a new indoor pool hall, warm water pool, improved accessibility and upgraded entry facilities.
SSAC Indoor Stadium and Gym Redevelopment
Cost: $14 million
Expansion of the indoor stadium and gym to improve capacity for community sport and recreation, including additional court space and upgraded fitness facilities.
Halls Gap East Shared Path
Cost: $2.47 million
Construction of a three-kilometre shared path linking Halls Gap with WAMA. The project aims to improve visitor access, safety and tourism connectivity.
Emergency Resilience
Cost: $12 million annually, plus $3.31 million
Council is seeking ongoing funding through the State Municipal Emergency Resource Program and a further $3.31 million to establish a permanent emergency management resource structure following recent natural disasters.
Central Park Netball Changerooms
Cost: $660,000
Construction of female-friendly changerooms and upgraded facilities at Central Park in Stawell to support participation growth and modern sporting standards.
North Park Athletic Track Resurfacing
Cost: $2.66 million
Replacement of the ageing synthetic athletics track to improve safety, reduce maintenance and support increased participation.
Navarre Recreation Reserve Netball Court Upgrade
Cost: $650,000
Replacement of the existing netball court with a new acrylic surface designed to improve safety and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Lord Nelson Park Netball Court Resurfacing
Cost: $100,000
Resurfacing of the existing netball courts at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud to extend their life and improve playing conditions.
Youth Support
Cost: $490,000 over five years, plus $85,500 annually
Funding for youth programs, leadership initiatives and community engagement activities, alongside a dedicated Youth Community Development Officer position.
PARTNER PRIORITIES
Renewable Readiness
Cost: Approximately $5 million
A package of initiatives aimed at helping communities prepare for renewable energy and mining developments, including council readiness actions, economic transition planning and community benefit frameworks.
Halls Gap East Sewer
Cost: $18.48 million
A sewer extension designed to unlock tourism, accommodation and residential development opportunities in Halls Gap’s eastern growth area.
Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Pipeline
Cost: $54.29 million
A major regional water pipeline project intended to improve long-term water security across parts of the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees regions.
Western Highway Duplication
Cost: Not specified
Advocacy for duplication of the remaining section of the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell to improve safety, freight efficiency and tourism access.
Financial Sustainability
Cost: Policy advocacy
Calls for changes to local government funding arrangements and greater recognition of cost pressures facing rural councils.
SUPPORT PRIORITIES
Stawell Underground Physics Lab Experience Centre
Cost: $57.4 million
A proposed science and tourism attraction linked to the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory. The project is projected to attract 15,000 to 30,000 visitors annually in its opening years and generate an estimated $359 million economic impact over 20 years.
Mental Health Services
Cost: Not specified
Advocacy for improved access to specialist mental health services and reduced travel requirements for residents seeking treatment.
Teddington Reservoir
Cost: $30 million
A proposal to improve long-term water security through major infrastructure renewal and ongoing management arrangements for the ageing reservoir.
St Arnaud Hospital Upgrades
Cost: Approximately $101–102 million
A staged redevelopment of St Arnaud Hospital including new acute inpatient facilities, urgent care services, diagnostic services and GP consulting rooms.
General Practitioner Access
Cost: Not specified
Support for measures aimed at attracting and retaining doctors in St Arnaud and improving access to primary healthcare services.
Read More: Stawell