By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong will benefit from State Budget cash for automotive industry workers, family violence, schools and roads, local MPs say.
The State Government revealed its 2017-18 budget on Tuesday 2 May.
Keysborough MP Martin Pakula highlighted a $1.4 million upgrade to Keysborough’s Springvale and Governor roads intersection and $81.1 million for the Ice Action Plan’s third stage.
“More police officers will be deployed to the south-east to tackle crime and we’re stepping up the fight against ice and drug addiction with a huge investment in early intervention and treatment places,” he said.
Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan visited the Nissan Casting plant in Dandenong on Wednesday 3 May to spruik $10 million for the Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) and $5 million to the Future Industries Manufacturing Program (FIMP).
Nissan Casting, which manufactures automotive componentry, received support from FIMP to create 14 new jobs and transition 27 roles.
The grant will help the company to buy and install new equipment and develop the next generation of electric vehicle powertrain inverter components and water jacket assembly for export.
That project is expected to generate an extra $39 million in export revenue over four years.
Mr Noonan said LIFT and FIMP were creating new jobs and opportunities for workers, businesses and communities affected by changes in the manufacturing sector.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the budget confirmed that one of 17 Victorian Support and Safety Hubs would service Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
The hubs were a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
They will serve as a visible contact point for survivors and give communities access to highly skilled workers with connections to the justice system and social services, including housing.
The south-east hub won’t be among the first five hubs rolled out during the next 12 months.
“A local safety hub in our area will provide vital protection and support for women and children fleeing violence,” Ms Williams said.
“For many victims, knowing they have somewhere safe to go will make all the difference.
“This is about building a new system that will prevent family violence, make perpetrators accountable and protect victim survivors.”
As reported in last week’s Journal, Lyndale Secondary College will receive $6 million towards stage two of its redevelopment.
The budget also contained cash for improvements at Chandler Park Primary School in Keysborough, Keysborough College, Dandenong High School, Noble Park Secondary College and Silverton Primary in Noble Park North.
Ms Williams said Dandenong and Doveton residents would benefit from a $1.876 million project to replace and repair damaged and ageing noise walls along the Monash Freeway and $89,000 for work on South Gippsland Freeway noise walls.
The work will be completed in 2017-18 and comes in response to residents’ concerns.
The budget included $21.8 million for language services to assist new migrants, including $2 million to establish Victoria’s first Migrant Workers Centre to prevent workers being exploited through under-payments and poor working conditions.
The centre will provide workers with information on their rights, wages and contracts.
