Council & Politics
1 October, 2025
Wimmera councils unite for stronger voice
NORTHERN Grampians Shire has joined five other councils from across the Wimmera-southern Mallee to explore forming an alliance to better advocate for issues affecting the region.
Northern Grampians Shire along with Horsham, Buloke, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh councils will make up the Wimmera Southern Mallee Councils’ Alliance.
Mayor Karen Kyslop and Chief Executive Brent McAlister joined other council leaders in Horsham recently to discuss the new alliance and how to work cooperatively to achieve positive outcomes for the region.
Key regional issues were discussed at the meeting including the growing angst over proposed transmission lines, the renewable energy zones, mining, the Emergency Service and Volunteers fund and roads.
Cr Hyslop said the alliance will formalise what is already a good working relationship between the regions councils.
“The mayors and chief executives of Northern Grampians, Horsham Rural City, Yarriambiack, West Wimmera, Buloke and Hindmarsh councils have met regularly for several years.
“At our most recent meeting I suggested we discuss exploring joint advocacy, with the aim of having a greater voice when appealing to state and federal governments – especially when it comes to the bigger regional issues facing all our municipalities,” she said.
Cr Hyslop said the workshop discussed ways councils can better advocate for services and better outcomes for local residents.
“Member for Mallee Anne Webster often emphasises the ‘stronger together’ approach, and the other mayors thought it was a good idea, so we decided to meet for a workshop.
“At the workshop, we were presented with various council models around joint advocacy and we made a list of key regional issues. There was a lot of common ground, including advocating to the State Government for a fairer way to fund emergency services following the introduction of the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF.
“It was a very positive and constructive workshop, with lots of issues discussed and plenty of focus areas to work on.
“It is important to note that it is still early days for this group and we will be further considering our next steps once the members brief their organisations and consider their notes from the workshops.
“We are very excited about what this group may be able to achieve and we believe we are ‘stronger together’. Our purpose is advocating for our region to ensure we get a fair share, to enable our region to move forward and grow,” Cr Hyslop said.
Read More: Stawell