State Budget delivers schools and local revitalisation for Darebin
Published on 04 May 2022
State Budget delivers schools and local revitalisation for Darebin but more is needed
Darebin City Council welcomes needed funding for local schools and the funding for the revitalisation of Reservoir, as part of the State Budget 22/23.
The Victorian Government committed $12.9 million for major upgrades at Westgarth Primary School and $9.02 million to upgrade the Science and Technology Building at Reservoir High School. Reservoir will also share in the government’s $9.7 million Suburban Revitalisation Program to address local challenges and support pandemic recovery.
Darebin Mayor Cr Lina Messina thanked the Victorian Government for its important investment and highlighted other key commitments as part of yesterday’s Budget, including strong social justice support for First Nations’ Peoples and multicultural communities.
“The best part of Darebin’s community is its diversity, and as a municipality with one of the highest populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in metropolitan Melbourne, we applaud the $400 million towards – but not limited to – support for self-determination and treaty processes,” Cr Messina said.
“We also applaud the strong investment in health, wellbeing, social and economic outcomes of LGBTIQ+ Victorians, expansion of critical support and crisis accommodation for victim survivors as well as funding to celebrate and support the needs of multicultural communities, including $6.7 million for asylum seekers and temporary visa holders.
“Finally, our community, like others has been hit hard by COVID and they need support. The senior Victorian recovery programs and significant investment in the health system, including mental health will make a big difference,” she said.
The Budget’s strong focus on jobs, the State Disability Plan and support for the Creative and Major Events industries were also welcome investments,
Mayor Messina said while the budget was positive over all, more funding was required for key local issues in Darebin such as safety improvements on State Government roads and improvements in public housing. More support is also needed for local governments to implement waste reforms required by the State Government.
“We cannot have our area left behind and we’ll continue to advocate for our community to ensure they are looked after – particularly those most in need.
“We’ll continue to voice the concerns of our people to ensure a fair share of the State Budget investment is allocated to Darebin”.
“We’ll fight for sustainable transport improvements in our area, and more funding for our local sporting infrastructure.
“The increase in the landfill levy and implementation of State Government waste reforms continues to impact local governments and while we welcome these reforms, more support in this area is encouraged.”
“Our commitment to taking climate action remains strong and we will continue to be leaders in this space, encouraging further support from the State to protect generations to come”, Cr Messina said.
Learn about our current and past advocacy projects that we hope create a better future at darebin.vic.gov.au/advocacy.