CEO Matters | Brent McAlister, September 25, 2026

Published on 25 September 2026

As CEO, it’s vital I keep an eye on the big picture, especially in a rapidly changing environment and with significant cost pressures on small rural councils.  

Having worked in two other states as well as New Zealand, I have gained invaluable insight to the big picture in a wider context.  

Our council has done extremely well compared with other councils I have worked in, when it comes to securing grant monies for upgrading our major sporting facilities, St Arnaud Swimming Pool and improving town centre main streets (Stawell, St Arnaud and Halls Gap).  

Much of this success boils down to our council being very good at securing grant funding – something we and our community can be proud of. 

The one major exception is the ageing Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre (SSAC). 

We have just completed an SSAC funding scoping report, which clearly states that to attract substantial federal/state funding, council will need to fund at least about $5 million of the total cost.  

Council is currently debt free, so to fund this, we would need to take out a loan for that amount. 

Later this year, as part of the 2027/28 Annual Budget preparation, we will consult on this proposal. Obviously, our ability to fund the annual debt repayments is key to that consideration.  

Back to the big picture. While we have done extremely well with upgrading our facilities, given several factors we won’t fully fund our significant bridges/roads renewal backlog.  

This is because we have a massive road network spread over a large area and a relatively small number of ratepayers to help fund it. 

We are not alone; we’re in the same boat as many small rural councils.  

Having said that, we have also done extremely well in attracting grant funding for safety intersection works and major roads upgrades.  

Advocacy efforts are a key component of council business. Earlier this year, we released our Advocacy Prospectus 2026, which outlines where we will focus our advocacy efforts to state and federal governments, particularly in the lead-up to November’s State Election.  

In the top spot is the redevelopment of SSAC’s aquatic component. Other projects include athletic track resurfacing at North Park, Stawell; Halls Gap East Shared Path; and Navarre netball court upgrade. Council is also advocating alongside partner councils for the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Pipeline project along with the continuation of the Western Highway duplication. 

Part of looking at the bigger picture includes advocating as a collective, not just an individual.  

Council is proud to support Rural Councils Victoria’s ‘Invest in Rural Victoria’ campaign.  

Soon, we will be asking our residents to back our plan for a new $1 billion Rural and Regional Victoria Productivity and Growth Fund. 

Keep an eye on council’s website, www.ngshire.vic.gov.au and social media pages to see how you can become involved.