Wyndham City Calls for Federal Funding

Wyndham City has called on the Federal Government to fund vital infrastructure projects and create more jobs in next week’s Federal Budget.

While commending the Federal Government for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Wyndham Mayor, Cr Adele Hegedich, has called for greater investment in Wyndham.

“The health and economic responses to the pandemic have been substantial and provided timely and essential support to members of our community,” Cr Hegedich said.

“Continued investment is vital to support our community’s transition to the pandemic recovery phase.”

“As the fastest growing municipality in Victoria, our community has the potential for significant economic growth, which can be realised through city-shaping infrastructure projects, enhanced employment services and improved access to essential services.”

“Wyndham is again calling on the Federal Government to urgently fund the construction of Westlink, a continuous road link from Tarneit, via Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes that links up with the Princes Freeway.”

“The Ison Road Bridge rail overpass is a key feature, which will ease congestion, and enable our resident’s greater connectivity and easier access into and out of Wyndham.”

“We are also calling on the Federal Government to prioritise the Western Intermodal Freight Precinct - a transformational project in Truganina that will significantly improve productivity and efficiencies in the nation’s freight movement.”

“This precinct will also support a large and diverse workforce that will ultimately have the capacity to support 28,000 jobs in Melbourne’s outer west.”

“Not only is Wyndham City one of the largest local government areas by population but we are also one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, with our population expected to surpass 500,000 by 2040.”

“About 100 babies are currently being born each week in Wyndham, which means we need long term planning and funding for kindergartens and schools just to keep pace with this ongoing boom.”

“We’re also calling on the Federal Government to commit to long-term kindergarten funding that guarantees 15 hours of four-year-old kinder per child each week on an ongoing basis.”

“Without a commitment from the Federal Government, local children will only have access to 10 hours of kindergarten per week, instead of 15. If this happens, families could be forced to pay an average of $2000 extra every year and many vulnerable and disadvantaged children may fall through the gaps.”

“As the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced employment services must continue to be part of the plan to support the unemployed in our community.

“Following the end of JobKeeper, Wyndham recognises that jobs are a priority for our City. That’s why we’re calling on the Federal Government to roll out an integrated, place-based employment service for disadvantaged job seekers and for Wyndham to be selected as a preferred location for this program.”

For more information, go to: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/advocacy