A Diggers Rest resident is concerned the suburb is slipping under Melton council’s radar in light of the endorsement of its latest advocacy priorities.
Tabled at the October 27 council meeting, the list outlines key state and federal advocacy priorities for projects and areas outside of the council’s scope – with categories including employment and investment, education and skills, health and wellbeing, transport, environmental sustainability, and financial stability.
Some of the items on the council’s latest list include advocacy for funding and construction of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, the Western Intermodal Freight Terminal, electrification of the Melton Line, and fast tracking the development of employment precincts in Derrimut Fields, Chartwell East, Warrawee, Warrensbrook, and Ravenhall – quarry site.
Diggers Rest resident David O’Connor lamented the endorsed list, calling for an increased focus on his suburb.
“Diggers Rest has long been regarded as the forgotten backwater of [Melton], and it’s not hard to see why. A simple drive through the township reveals a stark contrast in investment compared to other parts of the municipality,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Unfortunately, the … advocacy priorities report presented at tonight’s council meeting provides little reassurance for the future development of Diggers Rest. It’s abundantly clear that [Melton] has lost its way, focusing on new initiatives rather than taking a proactive and targeted approach to delivering services where they are needed most.
“Council must be held accountable for ensuring that Diggers Rest receives the focused attention, infrastructure investment and service delivery it has been denied for far too long. Anything less will only reinforce the perception that Diggers Rest remains the forgotten corner of the [municipality].”
At the council meeting, councillor John Verdon said that it is important for residents to note that the priorities in the report do not represent all of the council’s priorities, and that Melton will continue to advocate for issues beyond the items listed.
A Melton council spokesperson said that the advocacy priorities listed in the report are not an exhaustive list of all the advocacy the council undertakes.
“Adopting an evidenced-based, concise list of advocacy priorities provides for focussed efforts in seeking major state and federal investment with key government decision makers,” the spokesperson said.
“Council regularly engages with all levels of government on the needs of our community, across the [Melton municipality],” they said.
“Council has recently delivered the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Sport and Community Pavilion and is currently delivering an active transport project on Vineyard Road – due for completion in 2026 – and a children’s and community centre – scheduled for 2028.”
