Monday, 27 May 2019

REVITALISING BROADMEADOWS

The Andrews Government is investing millions of dollars to revitalise Broadmeadows. “The budget investments add to a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring new industries back to where they are needed most, following the recent announcement of a $500 million redevelopment of the iconic Ford sites estimated to deliver up to 2,000 jobs,” Broadmeadows MP, Frank McGuire said today.

The Victorian Government is delivering on its promises and for the people of Broadmeadows with investments in economic development, education, health and transport in the Victorian Budget 2019/20. The Australian Government has also committed to developing a North West Melbourne City Deal, vital for future planning and investment in this booming region.

As part of the Andrews Government’s massive $1.8 billion investment in schools throughout the state, this year’s Victorian Budget delivers funding to make sure students at the Jacana School for Autism have the learning spaces they deserve, replacing an older building with a new, architecturally designed building fit for 21st century learning.

A further $58 million will expand our School Breakfast Clubs and make sure more children are learning on a full stomach. Building on the existing program, which provides free breakfasts in 500 schools across our state, this investment will see free breakfasts and lunches served up to students at 1,000 primary and secondary schools every school day.

“Students in Broadmeadows will also have a brighter smile, thanks to the Labor Government’s rollout of free dental care at all public primary and secondary schools. This year’s Budget begins the rollout, investing $321.9 million and delivering on our promise to bring back dental vans. This investment will save Broadmeadows families around $400 a year per child in dental costs, as well as saving parents the inconvenience of taking time off work for appointments,” Mr McGuire said. “Once fully rolled out, this initiative will also free up more than 100,000 places in the public dental care system each year.”

Delivering on our commitment to create five new dedicated children’s emergency departments, the Budget will kick-start planning for the Northern Hospital, giving local parents peace of mind that their children will benefit from calm and compassionate care in the moments that matter most.

The Budget also delivers $3.38 million in response to youth homelessness. This is for operating costs for staff at the 40-bed Youth Foyer operated by Launch Housing at Kangan TAFE in Broadmeadows.

“Youth Foyers break the cycle of homelessness by providing 16 to 24 year-olds with safe and secure accommodation on campus for two years while they study towards a career. This allows young people to access education and training while helping them develop independent living skills,” Mr McGuire said.

The Budget also provides funding for the Family Drug Treatment Court to help up to 30 parents a year address drug and alcohol dependence and help keep families together, supporting some of our most vulnerable people.

Victoria’s Labor Government is also investing $3.5 million as part of a package to continue the work of the Broadmeadows Revitalisation Board. “This important investment will help coordinate opportunities I have long campaigned to create,” Mr McGuire said. I first called for a City Deal in the 2016 strategy, Creating Opportunity: Postcodes of Hope and continued to campaign for this plan for Melbourne’s Northern and Western suburbs in the 2018 report, Building Smarter Cities: Stronger Communities, and last year as chairman of the Broadmeadows Revitalisation Board.

In addition to these investments, the Pelligra Group last week announced an initial $500 million for stage one of the urban renewal of Ford sites in Broadmeadows and Geelong. It estimates they will deliver up to 2,000 jobs. Chairman Ross Pelligra said he was inspired to redevelop Ford’s sites after attending an Economic and Cultural Development conference in Broadmeadows, which I organised with the Business Council of Australia’s leaders, including Ford’s CEO. “This was one of numerous conferences I have organised to build unity tickets between the three tiers of government, business and civil society to deliver results.”

The Victorian Government has also kick started detailed planning and pre-construction works on the Suburban Rail Loop, the biggest transformation of public transport in Victoria.
With 12 new underground stations, including Broadmeadows, this new 90-kilometre rail line will circle Melbourne’s suburbs, connecting every major rail line from the Frankston line to the Werribee line.
“From upgrading the roundabout at the end of your street to building our state’s biggest transport projects, this Budget will get you where you need to go, with a massive Suburban Transport Blitz,” Mr McGuire said.

This year’s Budget also provides a major investment of $154 million to create more than 6,500 hectares of parkland across our suburbs, including the Upper Merri Parklands stretching from Broadmeadows to Wallan. “The Labor Government is delivering on its promise of a new park for the northern suburbs, giving local families a place to enjoy for health and leisure,” Mr McGuire said.

BroadmeadowsMediaMedia Release