The City of Whittlesea has outlined a strong list of key priorities for the municipality to both side of politics ahead of the federal election.
With the election tipped to be called in coming weeks, the City of Whittlesea’s Advocacy Priorities 2022-2023 document includes a push for a new Federal Government to fund a business case into the delivery of the E6 Freeway from the Hume Freeway to M80 Ring Road.
Other major suburban roads on the council’s list asking for duplication are Bridge Inn Road; Craigieburn Road East; Epping Road; Findon Road; and Donnybrook Road.
A train line to Wollert, improved bus services and the extension of tram route 86 from University Hill to Plenty Valley Town Centre are also priorities.
Also listed as a key priority is the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, BIFT, which Senator Greg Mirabella announced yesterday would be in the Federal Government’s 2022-23 Budget.
Mr Mirabella said the government would provide $1.62 billion for the BIFT and $280 million for road connection upgrades, including a Camerons Lane interchange.
The council has also asked for investment in social housing, from crisis accommodation to affordable home ownership, and $4.19 million to construct Hope Street Responsible Youth Service.
Mental health services, including addressing the current misalignmen to service levels and types, reinstating Community Outreach Perinatal Support Service for new parents, and funding for extra services at the Northern Hospital, are also priorities.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the City of Whittlesea had prepared and presented its needs to the Federal Government and Opposition and was seeking a partnership approach to solve the challenges moving forward.
“The City of Whittlesea is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Victoria with a population forecast to increase by 61.7 per cent between 2020 and 2040, compared to the state’s forecast of 24.9 per cent,” she said.
“We are actively seeking to partner with both federal and state governments to secure funding to help us meet some of challenges of this rapid population growth.
“We need more infrastructure and service delivery in coming years to keep pace with the growth so we are supportive of the NGAA’s four federal election requests.”
Council is also pushing to build a stronger local economy, asking for government investment in Melbourne Food Innovation and Export Hub to make it of national significance and to incentivise relocation of a large food distribution company as a major anchor tenant.
Also on council’s wishlist is addressing gambling reform, including introducing a sinking cap on the number of gaming machines and reducing operating hours of gaming venues; ongoing investment for family violence services; $4 million for an Aboriginal gathering place and funding for a Regional Sports and Aquatic Facility in Mernda.
Improved mobile phone coverage; and several sustainable environment initiatives, such as developing a kangaroo management plan, the 1200-hectare Grassy Eucalpyt Woodland Reserve becoming Crown land and increase funding to major parks such as Plenty Gorge Parklands, Craigieburn Grasslands and Mt Disappointment are also on the wishlist.
