By Matthew Sims
Advocacy and advisory committee LeadWest is calling on the state and federal governments to ‘invest in the west’.
The committee launched a new advocacy campaign on Monday, October 10, outlining a number of projects in the western suburbs which are in need of funding.
Among them is Maribyrnong council’s preparation of a detailed business case and schematic designs for a new performing arts and cultural hub in central Footscray, which is need of a $3 million commitment from the state government (to be match by council)
The proposed development would include a large-scale flexible performance and events venue with 500 to 800 seats, a library and civic open space, integrated spaces for arts and community groups and gatherings.
As part of the campaign, LeadWest has also requested a $200,000 investment from the state government, plus a co-contribution from each LeadWest council, to create a regional mental healthcare program.
LeadWest has proposed the program would be co-designed with the assistance of young people towards innovative solutions to strengthen the prevention and early intervention of the youth mental health system in Melbourne’s west through providing tailored youth-led and place-based solutions and investment recommendations to support the redesign of the youth mental health system over the next five to 10 years.
The campaign also included lobbying the state government to review, plan and implement an active and public transport network, including an interconnected cycling, walking and bus network.
LeadWest chairman and Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard said more than 17 per cent of Melbourne’s population live in the western suburbs, but the region did not receive the appropriate level of funding from the state and federal governments.
“We aim to change that,” he said.
“Now is the time for state and federal governments to ‘Invest in the West’ to cater for the current population and for future growth.”
Other priorities outlined as part of the campaign were the construction of the full Outer Metropolitan Ring [OMR] including freight rail, passenger rail and the eight-lane freeway to create a north-south connection from the Hume Freeway to Werribee and onto the south west regions of Victoria and the $16 million Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, which has received a $5.5 million commitment from the state Liberal-National coalition and a $5 million investment from Hobsons Bay council.
Cr Maynard said the projects outlined in the advocacy campaign required “immediate attention”.
“Only through prompt strategic planning and investment in infrastructure and community services can we guarantee the long-term viability of the west,” he said.
Details: www.leadwest.com.au
