“It’s an historical agreement – never happened before,” Berrigan Shire Mayor Matt Hannan told The Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“The four councils have come together because of the common interests across the four shires.
“We do rely on one another, be it retail, industry, hospitality and health. This agreement of collaboration shores this up.”
Indigo Shire Mayor Bernard Gaffney elaborated on those common interests with some examples between neighbouring border towns.
“Wahgunyah people shop in Corowa and are so happy attending the Corowa Aquatic Centre – you don’t have to build a pool in Wahgunyah,” he said. “You have Rutherglen and the wineries for all, including Corowa people.
“A recent study showed 50 per cent who stay in Corowa visit Rutherglen. And there’s always the shared water between communities. The pandemic showed just how much we need each other.”
Discussion between councils’ staff and leaders on a Memorandum of Understanding began last year during Covid-19 restrictions. “There’s never been a better time than now for border communities on both sides of the Murray River with Covid restrictions to work together on a number of topics and issues,” Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said.
“It is a very important time for collaboration and so much can be gained by helping each other as appropriate.”
Moira Shire Council Mayor Libro Mustica commented: “It’s about improving lifestyle. The river divides us but we’re all part of the one community.”
Mayor Gaffney referred to the MoU’s significance further afield, about the Australian Local Government Association in Canberra in June, which is attended by mayors, deputy mayors, general managers/chief executive officers and possibly another councillor, after the Federal election in May.
“Whichever government is in power, when we go to the ALGA we will meet the Minister with our common goal,” he said. “Four voices are better than one.”
