Corangamite Shire mayor Jo Beard has her focus firmly fixed on roads.

Cr Beard said she had heard constituents’ concerns “loud and clear” and called for an increase in funding not only for upgrades, but for maintenance work.

“There needs to be further investment,” she said.

“There’s not enough money for VicRoads to carry out works required, let alone for ongoing maintenance.”

Cr Beard also joined other leaders calling on the state government to dedicate further funding to the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.

“Particularly around the Twelve Apostles precinct,” Cr Beard said.

She called for greater attention to be given to roads used by tourists travelling back to Melbourne from the Great Ocean Road to ensure they were safe.

Other priorities listed by Cr Beard included money to upgrade Camperdown Hospital, a commitment to fund SES units in the shire and extra support for freight movement around the region, both rail and road.

Cr Beard said it was important the south-west’s economic contribution was appreciated.

“The region delivers so much to the Victorian economy and it needs to be recognised,” she said.

“We keep missing out. Stop playing the political games and just give the money where it’s due.”

Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said he hoped existing state government funding and grants continued with small increases, and called for money for roads and the Warrnambool line passenger train service.

“I’ve always advocated an upgraded train line to have a better, faster train,” Cr Doukas said.

“The service has got worse, not better. We should get some real funding.”

Cr Doukas also commented on the possibility of the Port Fairy Bowls Club receiving $2 million, which Western Victoria MP James Purcell had been advocating for.

“To spend $2 million on a bowls club in Port Fairy seems strange to me,” he said.

“On shire-wide or electorate-wide perspective, it seems an awful lot of money for something that is hard to justify.”

Cr Doukas said he hoped the state and federal governments would cooperate on joint funding offers.

“It’s a win-win for everybody if they share the cost,” he said.

Both mayors said the south-west should receive its fair share of proceeds from the $9.7 billion 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne.

Earlier this month, Warrnambool City councillors shared their funding priorities for the state budget.

Mayor Kylie Gaston called for a new community hub/library in partnership with South West TAFE, funding of stage two of the Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment and Reid Oval upgrades.