Wyndham mayor Josh Gilligan has outlined Council’s advocacy priorities ahead of this year’s state election, with unlocking funds for roads, rail and recreation being top of the agenda.
Cr Gilligan said his top priority was securing funding for Wyndham’s proposed third aquatic centre in Tarneit, which has an estimated price tag of $120 million.
“We are working very hard with the local state members to reach an agreement for what that will look like, particularly in the first half of 2026,” Cr Gilligan said.
“We’re on track to look at the design of detailed works and the location of this site in Tarneit which will be determined by the middle of the year.“
The second-time mayor said concrete plans for the electrification of the Wyndham Vale line were crucial.
“In my mayoral speech, I said we are on track to be less liveable and this is a perfect example of it.
“We know that the mid 2030s is when the state is proposing the electrification of Wyndham Vale…if we do not see significant growth in terms of electrification along the line then our train line will come to a stop.
“This is the reality people are facing and we have the Tarneit West train station coming online, but that doesn’t change the outcome in terms of the [number of] trains on the line.
“It simply places more pressure on the line moving forward.“
He also said Council would like to see plans to unlock funding for the proposed Sayers Road train station and more detailed plans for a Truganina train station made public.
A freedom of information request made by Cr Gilligan to the Department of Transport and Planning on 6 June 2025, seen by Star Weekly, asked for copies of any ministerial briefs, reports, renders or planning analysis relating to a train station in Truganina.
He said he was disappointed at how long it took to receive a response and that cabinet confidence was cited as a reason to deny access to certain information.
Cr Gilligan said he would also like to see the state government prioritise supporting Council on major duplications and continue increasing investment in the Avalon employment precinct.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the completion of the $4 billion Sunshine Superhub, which Star Weekly understands is slated to open in 2030, is being prioritised and will enable the Wyndham Vale line to be eventually electrified.
They also said there are preliminary designs for future stations in the western suburbs.
“The Department of Transport and Planning is progressing early design work for future stations, and we will continue to assess and invest in upgrades across the rail network as Victoria grows,” the spokesperson said.
It is understood that the Greater Avalon Employment Precinct Plan, which aims to create 8000 to 26,500 jobs by 2035 in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and clean-tech, is moving into an independent review process, with an expert advisory committee expected to consider the plan in late April 2026.
Last year, the state government invested in the opening of a new $8 million freight hub at Avalon and announced a bus connection to Lara station.
