Community Priorities for Shepparton and District 2026
Prepared by Hussam Saraf with support from the Multicultural Roundtable in Shepparton.
I have prepared this report to help Greater Shepparton’s multicultural communities and residents across the Shepparton electoral district identify the improvements they need and make their own informed decisions in the 2026 Victorian state election.
It brings together 50 areas of community concern, connects problems with practical proposals, and sets out questions residents can put to every candidate. It also reminds candidates of the needs they are being asked to address before the election and throughout the next term of Parliament.
Read or download the English report · PDF ↗11 November 2026 · English · 89 pages · 50 issue briefs · 161 references
An informed choice for every voter
We remain at an equal distance from all candidates and parties. The same standards of evidence, scrutiny and accountability apply to everyone. This report does not endorse any candidate or political party, recommend a voting order, or tell anyone how to vote.
The report gives particular attention to barriers faced by multicultural communities while considering the needs of the wider population and surrounding towns. Readers can decide which issues matter most to them and compare candidates’ answers for themselves.
What the report covers
Health and everyday care
Hospital waiting times, specialist and cancer care, ambulance access, mental health, dental care and the workforce needed to deliver services.
Education and local pathways
School capacity, interpreter access in education, early learning, TAFE, scientific courses and broader local university opportunities.
Roads, trains and regional connections
Potholes and dangerous roads, another river crossing, faster and more useful rail services, accessible buses and connections with surrounding towns.
Housing and household costs
Housing supply and rental quality, council rates, purple glass bins, waste charges, energy costs, insurance and food security.
Inclusion and community participation
Language access, fair treatment, disability access, First Nations priorities, youth opportunities and meaningful multicultural participation.
Resilience, agriculture and local services
Flood protection and drainage, emergency readiness, agricultural pests, water, employment, small businesses and services in smaller towns.
The full report also covers community safety, family violence, legal assistance, digital exclusion, public integrity and other matters affecting daily life.
Reliable sources and clear distinctions
The research prioritises official statistics, government and council documents, parliamentary records and published information from relevant service providers. References allow readers to check the evidence themselves.
We distinguish documented facts from analysis and proposed action, acknowledge existing services and improvements, identify gaps in the available evidence, and separate announcements and funding commitments from completed delivery.
The report is a broad agenda for discussion. It does not claim to represent every resident’s views or replace continuing community consultation. Research was reviewed on 11 November 2026; project status and service arrangements can change.
Use the report before and after the election
Start with the issues affecting your household or town. Each brief sets out evidence, proposed action, responsibility, measures of progress and a question for candidates. Use the commitment worksheet to record answers and follow up after the election.
- What exactly will change, and which government or organisation is responsible?
- What funding, staffing and delivery date will make the commitment achievable?
- How will progress, delays and changes be reported publicly?
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Related research
Getting to Know Shepparton’s 2026 Election Candidates →
The separate candidate report is available in English and 19 language editions.
