Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan for Jobs, Services and Infrastructure 2018–2022
Northern Metro Region © The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2018
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Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the DELWP Customer Service Centre on 136 186, or email [email protected] (or relevant address), or via the National Relay Service on 133 677, www.relayservice.com.au. This document is also available on the internet at www.delwp.vic.gov.au. Office for Suburban Development
Aboriginal acknowledgement The Victorian Government proudly acknowledges Victoria’s Aboriginal community and their rich culture and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely. We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches us. We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards the equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice.
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Contents
Introduction 4
Your Northern Metro Region 5
Northern Metro Region snapshot 8
Putting community at the centre 10
Metropolitan Development Advisory Panel 10 Metropolitan Partnership Development Fund 10 The Northern Metro Region – Land Use Framework Plan 11
Investment overview 13
Pick My Project 21 Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution 22 Growing Suburbs Fund 23 Victorian Government election commitments 24
Appendix 1: Northern Metropolitan Partnership – Membership 28
Appendix 2: Victorian Government Response to the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Priorities 2017 30
Appendix 3: Glossary 40
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Introduction
The Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan for Jobs, Services and Infrastructure 2018–2022 outlines the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to Melbourne’s northern region.
This year’s Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan provides an update on By bringing together the northern region’s growing population and economy, and outlines the this information at the Government’s investments from the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support jobs and deliver infrastructure and services in the region over the next metropolitan regional level, five years. the Northern Metro Region New sections in this year’s Plan include: Five Year Plan will assist all levels of government • a report on the advice provided by the newly formed Northern and the northern region’s Metropolitan Partnership on priorities for enhancing the northern region’s economy and liveability communities to work together • the Government’s response to the Partnership’s advice, including details on the response to each of the Partnership’s priority actions • a report on the joint development of the Northern Metro Region’s Land Use Framework Plan by the Government and northern region councils, creating a shared understanding across all levels of government and the community about future population and employment growth, and housing and land use needs • details on new government initiatives designed to strengthen metropolitan regional development and engage with communities in identifying and delivering local infrastructure and services , such as the $30 million Pick My Project program. By bringing together this information at the metropolitan regional level, the Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan will assist all levels of government and the northern region’s communities to work together to identify challenges and opportunities, and develop new ways to enhance liveability and prosperity.
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Your Northern Metro Region
The Northern Metro Region spans six Local Broadmeadows, Epping and Lockerbie are the region’s Government Areas (LGAs): the inner LGAs of Moreland, designated Metropolitan Activity Centres. These are Darebin and Banyule; and the outer growth and underpinned by 21 Major Activity Centres. interface LGAs of Hume, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. Together these locations contain significant The region includes a portion of Mitchell Shire within concentrations of private, government and community Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary, with the towns sector jobs and services – and are critical to meeting of Wallan and Beveridge. the employment, service and infrastructure needs of The Northern Metro Region is one of Melbourne’s the region’s growing population. largest, with a population of more than 978,900 Accommodating this growth requires support to residents – approximately 20 per cent of metropolitan revitalise established suburbs and to expand local Melbourne’s total population. Its population is services and infrastructure to meet the needs of a projected to grow by around 13 per cent over the five growing population. Timely delivery of infrastructure years to 2021, reaching more than 1.1 million residents and services in the region’s newest outer suburbs will by 2022 be critical to its success. The northern region includes some of Melbourne’s most strategically important infrastructure such as the Melbourne Airport and the Hume Highway – and plays a major role as one of Melbourne’s key economic regions and gateway to Australia’s national economy.
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Office for Suburban Development
Northern Metro Region snapshot
The Northern Metro Region has played a major role in accommodating Melbourne’s recent period of population growth and has done so against a backdrop of significant change and transformation in its industry structure, employment and demographic profile. Future population projections and industry trends suggest Melbourne’s north will continue to undergo significant growth and change as it transitions from traditional manufacturing to a more diverse and technology-focused industry base.
Population Households Housing mix
• 978,900 residents • 124,000 couples with children Regional housing mix as at June 2016: • 20 per cent of metropolitan • 81,000 couples without children • 12,413 apartments of three or more Melbourne’s total population • 74,000 lone-person households storeys • projected to grow by 126,500 • 39,000 one-parent families • 249,593 separate houses residents over the five years to 2022 • 79,833 townhouses/flats/small • key growth areas include apartments Craigieburn, Mernda, Sunbury South, Wallan and Wollert
Industry and business Key employment centres Employment
Top five employing industries: • Melbourne Airport • 272,647 jobs in 2016 • manufacturing • Melbourne Market in Epping • 12 per cent of all jobs in • retail trade • La Trobe National Employment and metropolitan Melbourne • health care and social assistance Innovation Cluster (NEIC) • more than a quarter of all jobs in the region are in health care, social • transport, postal and warehousing • Northern Industrial Precinct assistance and manufacturing • education and training • health and education precincts in Heidelberg, Epping and Craigieburn • 6.9 per cent unemployment rate, 0.8 percentage points higher than the metropolitan average
Future employment growth Regional strengths Regional Challenges/Opportunities
Employment in the Northern Metro • transport and logistics • transition from traditional Region is projected to increase by an infrastructure and services manufacturing to knowledge-based additional 26,600 jobs by 2022: • industrial land supply industries • 8,100 additional jobs in health care • growing food processing, • revitalisation of major activity and social assistance pharmaceuticals and advanced centres • 4,000 additional jobs in education manufacturing industries • creating employment opportunities and training • diversity and affordability of for young people • 3,900 additional jobs in housing options • enhancing regional connectivity construction with public transport and active • 3,800 additional jobs in transport professional, scientific and technical • enhancing environmental assets services and people’s connection to green • 2,700 additional jobs in retail trade space
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The Northern Metropolitan Partnership The Government has responded positively to the Partnership’s vision and advice on priority actions with The Northern Metropolitan Partnership was commitments such as: established in June 2017. Membership includes eight community and business representatives, the CEO • $2.2 billion to duplicate and upgrade key arterial of each local council in the region and a Deputy roads in Melbourne, including roads in the Northern Secretary from the Victorian Government (Appendix 1). Metro Region Over its first 12 months of operation, the Northern • $1 million for cycling and hiking trails priority Metropolitan Partnership has consulted regional projects identified in the Northern Regional Trails stakeholders and community leaders to identify Strategy opportunities for driving improved outcomes for • $400,000 in funding for Melbourne’s North Food the region and its suburbs. This included hosting its Group to support the growth of more than 400 inaugural annual assembly of regional community businesses to enhance business connections, and business leaders on 25 October 2017 to assist in expand access to export markets and develop developing its advice to government. workers’ skills In communicating its priorities to the Government, the • $200,000 in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to Northern Metropolitan Partnership outlined its vision support the development of a new project to better for communities to have ‘opportunities and access connect young people in Melbourne’s north with to work within the northern region, to be connected employment to the environment, have access to lifelong learning, improved health and wellbeing, where our young • securing the site for the Brunswick Incubator people feel connected and have access to jobs, and through LaunchVic’s Supporting Local Council our rich cultural diversity thrives’. Startup Communities program and a partnership with Moreland Council. The Partnership’s priority outcomes cover five principal themes, with specific actions that the Full details of the Partnership’s 2017 advice and the Partnership believes should be progressed by response from the Government are at Appendix 2. government: The Northern Partnership has also submitted its 2018 advice to the Government. The Government has • Economy and Transport – Support a connected, already commenced considering this advice and will thriving community with jobs created in the region, be providing a detailed response through the 2019 unemployment rates lowered and congestion Northern Metropolitan Five Year Plan. eased to create greater liveability
• Education pathways – Support a seamless approach to lifelong learning, resulting in a more skilled, work-ready, employed, resilient and connected community • Environment – Improve connection to the natural environment through recreational trails and increased use of cycling and walking • Connected young people – Enable young people to have a voice, feel connected to communities, be healthy, respected and ensure diversity thrives by establishing a youth congress for the region, led by young people • Health and wellbeing – Prevent avoidable hospital admissions and improve health and wellbeing through increased access to affordable health and community services that cater to the north’s culturally diverse community.
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Putting community at the centre
The Victorian Government is focused on putting communities at the centre of what we do, including making sure local residents have a greater say in determining local priorities. Building on its establishment of Metropolitan Metropolitan Partnership Partnerships to involve communities in determining Development Fund local priorities, the Government has launched additional initiatives in the Suburban Development As part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19, the portfolio that will strengthen our focus on supporting Government has established a new $2 million the northern region and engaging with its Metropolitan Partnerships Development Fund. communities to identify and deliver innovative local This fund will be used to support the implementation infrastructure, services and programs. of responses to the advice provided by Metropolitan Metropolitan Development Advisory Panel Partnerships. It will provide seed funding for program pilots, feasibility studies and business cases to In late 2017, the Minister for Suburban Development progress Metropolitan Partnership priority actions. and Minister for Planning jointly established the Metropolitan Development Advisory Panel (MDAP). Administered by the Office for Suburban Development, funding will be allocated annually The role of MDAP is to provide expert advice to the across Melbourne’s six partnership regions over the Ministers on metropolitan development, including next two years. Funding allocations for 2018–19 will the implementation of Plan Melbourne 2017–2050, be developed as part of the Government’s response Metropolitan Partnership priorities and advice on to priorities identified by the Northern Region enhancing Melbourne’s liveability, sustainability and Metropolitan Partnership. international competitiveness at the whole-of-city level. The panel includes the six chairpersons of the Metropolitan Partnerships and four members with broad skills and expertise in planning and related fields such as economic and community development. MDAP will play a key role in keeping the Government informed about the impact of planning policies and population growth on regional communities. The panel will help the Government identify practical solutions to managing Melbourne’s growth and maintaining the city’s liveability. It will also ensure that Metropolitan Partnerships are supported to engage and play an active role in shaping the delivery of policies critical to Melbourne’s future growth and development.
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The Northern Metro Region – Land Use Framework Plan
Plan Melbourne 2017–2050 recognises the importance of a regional approach to planning for our city and suburbs.
Action 1 in the Plan Melbourne Implementation Plan collated existing planning strategies and policies to requires the development of a Land Use Framework understand what is important to the Northern Metro Plan (LUFP) for each of the six metropolitan regions. Region, including its strengths and opportunities. The LUFPs will be forward-focused to ensure that Strengths of the Northern Metro Region identified each region has a plan to provide for the population include: growth and change that is projected to occur over • the La Trobe NEIC has regionally important health, the next 30 years. It will mean that state and local education, retail and commercial assets and will government, working together, can be clear about deliver significant employment growth, connect how best to develop land and what supporting allied industries and provide more housing close to networks and infrastructure will be needed when and jobs. where. • the region is a major hub for the food and The LUFPs will provide a means to ensure that our beverage industry, including production, innovation suburbs are planned holistically, that we provide and research driven by the Melbourne Market not only enough suitable housing, but also set and La Trobe University’s established food and aside land for employment, community spaces and agriculture capability. parks, while protecting our natural environment. The LUFPs, developed in consultation with Metropolitan • the region is Victoria’s interstate and international Partnerships, will inform the strategies and initiatives gateway, providing strategic connections through in future releases of the Five Year Plans for Jobs, Melbourne Airport, the Hume Freeway and the Services and Infrastructure. Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane rail line, and its significant freight and logistics hubs. The benefits of planning at a regional scale across metropolitan Melbourne include: • the region has a diversity of housing choices from greenfield growth corridors, to emerging urban • bridging the gap between metropolitan and local renewal precincts and established inner and government strategic plans by delivering a single suburban areas. regional view • regional landscapes, characterised by the network • providing the strategic planning basis for of creek corridors, the Yarra River and River identifying future infrastructure, service and RedGums, provide improved amenity, and promote funding priorities social cohesion. • clearly defining a land use framework within which each council can prepare their municipal strategies and policies • ongoing partnership and collaboration between state and local government. The LUFPs build upon existing strategic work undertaken by state and local government to deliver a regional picture through an integrated partnership approach. The Northern Metro Region is expected to grow from 978,900 in 2017, to approximately 1.82 million by 2050. This growth will need to be accommodated in both established and growth areas, and be supported by an expansion of local jobs, the provision of infrastructure, access to services and a quality environment. Driven by the Economy and Planning Working Groups (EPWG) that have been established for each region, state and local government officers have
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Feedback received to date indicate there are • new suburbs in growth areas delivering on the opportunities in the region for: 20-minute neighbourhood principles by providing a diversity of housing and jobs close to everyday • transitioning from the strong manufacturing services and traditional working-class history towards highly skilled jobs in well-connected and distinct • exploring local community values in green wedge employment nodes land management, while protecting landscape, environmental and cultural significance • creating an airport link which provides connections to the east and west as well as the • expanding the network of green spaces and CBD to transform the Melbourne Airport into an waterways to improve biodiversity links, active employment magnet, accelerating job growth transport connections and resilience to climate change. • improving east-west public and active transport to better connect activity centres, allied industries and the La Trobe NEIC, and diversifying road use Next steps across the region to support various transport The implementation partners for the LUFP project options and protect principal freight routes include the Department of Environment, Land, Water • valuing industrial and employment land, including and Planning (DELWP); the Department of Jobs, the future growth of commercial floor space in Precincts and Regions (DJPR); the Department of activity centres such as Epping, Broadmeadows Transport (DoT); the Department of Health and Human and Coburg, and protecting it from incompatible Services (DHHS); the Department of Education and development Training (DET); the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA); and the local councils of the region. Collectively, they • providing affordable, accessible and flexible will work to expand on the scoping work undertaken to spaces to support the creative precincts in date to prepare a draft LUFP which delivers a regional Brunswick, Northcote and surrounds picture of the issues, opportunities and aspirations of • clearly defining densities across residential areas the region. The Government will continue working with and championing high quality and sustainable local and regional partners to develop draft plans for design in developments to positively and consultation. proactively shape the future character of the . region
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Investment overview
The Victorian Government is responding to the growing needs of Melbourne’s Northern Metro Region by investing in local services and infrastructure.
These investments are based on the Government’s long-term strategic plans for strengthening the economy and liveability of Victoria and managing Melbourne’s continued growth and development as a globally connected city. This section provides an overview of: • Major investments in services and infrastructure in the Northern Metro Region contained in the Victorian Budget 2018/19; • Pick My Project grants to strengthen the liveability of local areas announced for the Northern Metro Region; • Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution funds for the Northern Metro Region growth area LGAs of Hume and Whittlesea; • Growing Suburbs Fund grants for community infrastructure in the Northern Metro Region LGAs of Hume, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Mitchell; and • Election commitments made in the November 2018 state election to improve outcomes for people in the Northern Metro Region.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
JOBS
The Victorian Government is focused on supporting and driving economic development, investment and job creation across the state, and is committed to projects, industries and ideas that will encourage small businesses to grow and big businesses to invest. The Northern Metro Region will benefit from funding provided in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 including a $21 million boost for Jobs Victoria.
$10 million to extend the Premier’s Jobs and Investment Fund to support the Government’s economic development priorities to build a strong economy, improve economic growth and create more jobs.
$6 million statewide to increase employment inclusion on Victoria’s major projects through a new dedicated services to connect young people from Aboriginal and migrant communities and women into jobs on Victoria’s major projects, including roles generated by the Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
$5 million statewide for a new specialised employment support program to be established for long-term unemployed youth and young people facing significant barriers to employment.
TRANSPORT
The Victorian Government is delivering a massive pipeline of transport infrastructure projects, including removing level crossings, building the Metro Tunnel, building the West Gate Tunnel, widening City Link and the Tullamarine Freeway, streamlining Hoddle Street, upgrading the M80 Ring Road, delivering Stage 1 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade, and completion of the Mernda Rail Extension.
$2.2 billion for arterial road upgrades in the northern and south- eastern suburbs of Melbourne. • Childs Road, from Beaumont Crescent to Prince of Wales Avenue, Mill Park • Craigieburn Road, from Mickleham Road to Hume Highway, Craigieburn • Epping Road, from Craigieburn Road to Memorial Avenue, Epping • Sunbury Road, from Bulla-Diggers Rest Road to Powlett Street, Sunbury • Yan Yean Road from Kurrak Road, Yarrambat, to Bridge Inn Road, Doreen • Bridge Inn Road, from Plenty Road to Yan Yean Road, Doreen • Fitzsimons Lane in Templestowe and Eltham.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$110 million for North East Link for development to procurement of the project, which will establish a motorway connection between the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway. The new six-lane, 11 kilometre motorway will include a tunnel beneath environmentally sensitive areas and interchanges at Bulleen Road, Manningham Road, Lower Plenty Road and Grimshaw Street. Local access along key arterial roads such as Greensborough Road and Greensborough Bypass will be maintained and remain toll-free. The project also includes a major upgrade of the Eastern Freeway between Chandler Highway and Springvale Road, which will remain toll-free, and a new dedicated busway facility between the Doncaster Park and Ride and Hoddle Street. The $7-$9 billion Primary Package of works and the $200 million Early Works Package were put out to market at the end of November.
$89.4 million for additional train services including those on the Hurstbridge and South Morang lines following the completion of the Mernda Rail Extension and the Hurstbridge line upgrade.
$60 million for more than 2,000 car parks to be upgraded and built at key train stations, including Craigieburn and Epping. This will improve amenity and provide more options to access train stations and encourage the increased uptake of public transport.
$22.7 million for priority active transport projects to promote safety and increased use of Victoria’s cycling and walking network. Projects include: bike lanes, paths and trails at the Upfield bike path, Cumberland Road in Pascoe Vale, Brunswick Road, Diamond Creek to Hurstbridge, Burgundy Street in Heidelberg.
EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Victorian Government is responding to the growing demand for student places in the Northern Metro Region by investing to build new schools and to modernise and upgrade existing secondary and primary schools.
$271.7 million to acquire land for new schools across Victoria including for Hume and Whittlesea in the northern region.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$82 million to upgrade 21 schools in the Northern Metro Region. This will improve educational outcomes through providing high-quality classrooms and facilities for learning and community use. • Banyule Primary School • Brunswick South West Primary School • Bundoora Primary School • Diamond Valley College • Epping Secondary College • Gladstone Park Primary School • Greenhills Primary School • Ivanhoe Primary School • Lalor Gardens Primary School • Moreland Primary School • Pascoe Vale Girls Secondary College • Pascoe Vale Primary School • Reservoir East Primary School • Roxburgh College • St Helena Secondary College • Sunbury Heights Primary School • Sunbury Primary School • Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School (Sunbury Campus) • Northern School For Autism • Northern College of the Arts and Technology • Charles La Trobe P-12 College
$66.4 million to deliver new schools and additional stages of school buildings to meet growing demand from Victoria’s strong population growth. In the Northern Metro Region this includes new schools: • Beveridge West Primary School • Craigieburn South Secondary School.
Additional school buildings: • Aitken Hill Primary School • Preston High School • Ashley Park Primary School.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
More than ever, the skills we need to build our state are learned at TAFE – and with good-quality training, young Victorians will be first in line for these new jobs. The cost of TAFE should never stop kids from getting the skills they need – that’s why the Government will transform Victoria’s skills and training sector by investing statewide: • $304 million to provide new training places to train more Victorians to meet industry demand for trained graduates that are critical to Victoria’s economic prosperity. This investment will fund our TAFEs, Learn Locals and private training organisations to deliver more than 30,000 additional training places • $172 million to make training at TAFE free for 30 priority courses, commencing 1 January 2019 • $109 million to overhaul careers education in secondary schools so students can get expert advice earlier to help them to make the right choices • $49.8 million to improve vocational education by introducing Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships to give secondary school students the opportunity to learn a trade at school and get a job sooner • $43.8 million to modernise apprenticeships with new training material, independent final assessments and to bring back trade papers to recognise qualifications.
Mental Health in Schools. Every Victorian Government Secondary School will have access to a mental health professional with $51.2 million to allow schools across the state to employ over 190 qualified mental health professionals.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Since 2015, the Victorian Government has made record investments to reduce crime and make communities safer by recruiting police, addressing family violence and strengthening our emergency services. This year’s Budget includes new investments that strengthen the justice system and prevent crime.
$390.7 million statewide to better support children who need to go into out of home care with more home-based care placements and better support for carers.
$282.6 million statewide to support vulnerable children and their families. This includes: • $225.5 million to better assist children in the statutory child protection system through an extra 450 child protection practitioners • $7.7 million in 2018–19 to cover civil claims costs for historical institutional child abuse • $49.9 million for family violence therapeutic and flexible support, including approximately 6,500 flexible support packages to enable victim survivors of family violence to access counselling and therapeutic supports to aid recovery.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$96.9 million for Victoria Police prosecutors and $21.8 million to equip the Office of Public Prosecutions to prosecute serious crimes and hold offenders to account.
$27.7 million for twenty-four hour, seven days a week refuge responses for victims of family violence to provide secure, after- hours crisis accommodation for women and children seeking immediate support.
$25 million statewide for local crime prevention initiatives including youth crime prevention projects, the Public Safety Infrastructure and Community Safety funds, and crime prevention agencies such as Crime Stoppers and Neighbourhood Watch.
$3.9 million for a Family Drug Treatment Court at Broadmeadows to continue to support a more effective response to drug and alcohol dependent parents, and support family reunification where children are placed in out-of-home care due to parental alcohol and drug dependency.
HEALTH, HOUSING AND WELLBEING
The Victorian Government is continuing to build a high-quality, proactive health and human service system. Building on the government’s major investments in hospitals, we are making further investments in our health workforce, boosting access to mental health services, expanding alcohol and drug treatment and early intervention services, and improving ambulance response times. The Victorian Government also continues to have a strong focus on affordable housing and addressing homelessness, with record investment in housing and homelessness support, as well as financial backing for new forms of social housing investment across the state.
Victorian Budget 2018/19 will provide $2.1 billion, supporting the 1.96 million patients expected to be admitted to our hospitals, and the 1.84 million patients to be seen in our emergency departments, this year. More than 207,000 Victorians will get the surgery they need sooner, with a $217.6 million elective surgery blitz to cut down waiting times and lists. This is equivalent to nearly 14,370 hip replacements or more than 76,000 eye surgeries. Budget funding will also help meet the growing demand on our health and ambulance services, giving patients the emergency care they need, when they need it. • $25 million for a Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund to help the sector identify, scale and embed innovation effectively • $6.7 million to deliver immunisation programs that tackle meningococcal and influenza • $217.6 million elective surgery blitz to cut down waiting times and lists. • $2.1 million for more rural and regional patients to access support through the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme$6.5 million to respond to people’s end-of-life care choices.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$705 million for more mental health support, extra regional rehabilitation facilities and new emergency department crisis hubs to help Victorians struggling with mental illness: • $232.4 million to support 89 new and existing acute inpatient beds and boost the number of treatment hours in community-based services, giving around 12,800 more Victorians the care they require • $100.5 million in six emergency department crisis hubs across the state, including Monash Medical Centre to help people with urgent mental health, alcohol and drug issues. • $18.7 million to support the development of six new Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement sites • $153.8 million to provide intensive community mental health services and support for current high-need mental health clients.
$32.6 million statewide for caring for the ageing including: $6 million for an elder abuse family counselling and mediation service.
$45 million for the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan. Initiatives include 20 one-bedroom modular units with intensive onsite support, multidisciplinary housing teams to support complex clients to maintain stable housing, eight additional assertive outreach teams in locations of highest need, and funding therapeutic services in major inner city crisis accommodation centres to improve health, wellbeing and housing outcomes.
CULTURE AND RECREATION
The Northern Metro Region offers a variety of cultural, sport and recreation infrastructure and programs with a network of regional and local tracks and trails, parks and aquatic and leisure facilities. The Victorian Government is ensuring that new and existing sport and recreation facilities meet the demand generated by population growth in the established inner north, as well as new communities across Hume, Whittlesea and Mitchell.
$67 million for a professional women’s sports fund that will be used to develop or upgrade a number of facilities for professional women’s sport across Melbourne, including $12 million for the Rugby League State Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows.
$60 million statewide for the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund to provide grants to local government to build new or improve existing infrastructure, increase access and participation and deliver new infrastructure to meet current and future demand in growth areas.
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Victorian Budget 2018/19 – Northern Metropolitan Region Outcomes
Expected delivery timeframe Description YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$50 million for the Growing Suburbs fund to boost the number of community infrastructure projects delivered in Melbourne’s interface councils including Hume, Mitchell, Nillumbik and Whittlesea.
$15 million statewide for female-friendly facilities to provide grants for developing community pavilions, playing grounds, courts and lighting, to ensure women and girls can access appropriate community sporting facilities.
$3 million for an arts and cultural precinct at Jacksons Hill. Funding will be provided, in partnership with Hume City Council, to implement the first stage of the community arts precinct at Jacksons Hill.
$1 million to construct priority trails from the Northern Regional Trails Strategy.
LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
The health of Melbourne’s natural environment contributes to the liveability of our suburbs. The Victorian Government is working on innovative integrated planning approaches to protect open space in the Northern Metro Region including at Sunbury and Lancefield and along the Yarra River.
$48 million statewide to help Victorians bust their energy bills. Through the Power Saving Bonus, all Victorian households will be eligible to receive a $50 bonus if they seek out a better electricity deal on the Government’s Victorian Energy Compare website.
$37 million to implement the Recycling Industry Strategic Plan, which will transition Victoria’s recycling sector to a more sustainable and resilient model. This includes a $13 million assistance package to help councils and industry to respond to changed market conditions in the short term.
$3.2 million statewide to improve the use and environmental health of priority waterways and storages. This will support greater community access to, and use of, key waterways, storages and recreational fishing locations.
$1.25 million to implement the next steps of the Government’s Yarra River Action Plan. The initiative will finalise the Yarra strategic plan, which will introduce stronger planning controls along the Yarrato help preserve the natural landscape along the Yarra corridor.
$0.3 million for a metropolitan open space strategy to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to open space and park planning, taking into consideration forecast population growth, dwelling numbers and open space supply and demand.
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Pick My Project Residents were encouraged to come up with a great idea to make life in their community even better and To further support communities to develop and to identify an eligible local organisation to sponsor deliver initiatives that strengthen the liveability of their idea, such as a community group, school or their local areas, the Victorian Budget 2018/19 set local council. Eligible ideas were put forward for aside $30 million for a community grants initiative, community voting. In the northern region a total Pick My Project. With this innovative grassroots of $2.94 million of funding was allocated across 18 democratic program, local residents had the successful projects, including: opportunity to nominate local community-building projects, which were then put forward for the community to vote on. Pick My Project backs ideas to improve local communities, such as new or improved sport and recreation activities, or programs supporting health and wellbeing, innovation and arts and culture.
Budget 2018-19
The Banyule Sugar Glider Project, Montmorency Gladstone Park Agricultural Centre, Gladstone Park
All weather pitch - Goodbye mud, hello everyday play! Sunbury SES Needs A Training Room, Sunbury Montmorency The CERES Recycled, Electric, Kinetic Playground, Community Solar Installation Project, Heidelberg Brunswick East Tempo Rubato: A backstreet classical music venue Bell Primary School Community Sports Oval, Preston supporting new immigrants, Brunswick Brunswick Food Forest: Growing Strong Communities, The Compost Depot, Preston Brunswick Solar panels for Melbourne’s first pay-as-you-feel Learning for the Future: Children and the Merri Creek, rescued food market, Thornbury Coburg We Love Bees! Bee School & Darebin Bee Shed, Eltham North Adventure Playground Community Alphington Landscaping Project, Eltham North Multi-sensory and learning room for children with special Plenty Gorge Park mountain bike trail program, Plenty needs, Westmeadows Second Chance Community Animal Hospital, Upgrade and improvement to Diamond Creek Trail, Broadmeadows Diamond Creek
More information about the 18 successful projects in the Northern Metro Region can be found at https://pickmyproject.vic.gov.au/successful-projects
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Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution GAIC is funding facilities such as construction of the new railway stations, land acquisition for ambulance The Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) stations and schools, and the development of is a fund for essential infrastructure development in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. GAIC funding Melbourne’s growth areas of Cardinia, Casey, Melton, committed for 2018-19 in the northern region totaled Wyndham and the northern region LGAs of Hume, $77.09 million. Mitchell and Whittlesea. The GAIC delivers state and regionally significant infrastructure projects that support the needs of these growing communities.
Table 1: GAIC funding committed in the Northern Metro Region for 2018-19
Northern GAIC funding Growth Area Projects 2017–18 contribution Councils
Hume School Building Project $45.27 million
Craigieburn Station Improvement Works – Car Parking and Public Realm $11.0 million
Sunbury Station Improvement Works - Car Parking and Public Realm $10.0 million
Merrifield – Craigieburn bus route $8.92 million
Whittlesea Epping Station Improvement Works – Car Parking and Public Realm $1.9 million
22 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Growing Suburbs Fund The Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) is a $200 million fund to deliver critical local infrastructure for communities in Melbourne’s fastest-growing outer suburbs. The GSF is designed to bring forward critical community infrastructure priorities, delivering projects that improve the amenity, liveability and resilience of interface communities, support connections, enhance services and provide local jobs. These include family and community centres, town centre and civic revitalisation projects and open space and amenity improvements. The GSF is available to 10 interface councils: Cardinia, Casey, Melton, Mornington Peninsula, Wyndham, Yarra Ranges and the northern region LGAs of Whittlesea, Hume, Mitchell and Nillumbik. The following table highlights funding provided in the Northern Metro Region in 2018-19.
Table 2: GSF funding committed in the Northern Metro Region in 2018-19
Northern GSF funding Interface Projects 2017–18 contribution Councils
Hume Cloverton South Community Hub $2,657,000 Bulla Village Tennis Club Community Pavilion $300,000
Galaxyland Playspace Redevelopment $500,000
Hume Tennis and Community Centre Playspace Upgrade $450,000
Craigieburn Softball Centre $1,500,000
Connecting the Sunbury Town Centre $375,000
Wallan Youth Services Hub $646,000 Mitchell Wallan East (Relocatable) Early Learning Centre $2,170,000
Outdoor Exercise Equipment in Wallan 71,000
Wallan Playspace Upgrades and Half Courts Provision $175,000
Nillumbik Diamond Creek Regional Park Playspace $2,500,000
Eltham North Adventure Playground $570,000
Greensborough Hockey Multi-Purpose Pavilion Redevelopment $2,000,000
Whittlesea Harvest Home Road Community Pavilion $2,800,000
Urban Streetscape Improvements Project – High Street Thomastown $1,450,000
Norris Bank Reserve Redevelopment $500,000
Whittlesea Swim Centre Refurbishment $312,000
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 23 Office for Suburban Development
Victorian Government election commitments
The Victorian Government is continuing to respond to the growth and change in Melbourne’s Northern Metro through the following election commitments.
Jobs
Election Commitment Investment area
The Suburban Rail Loop will create around 20,000 jobs during construction – with up to 2,000 apprentices, trainees and cadets employed through the Major Projects Skills Statewide Guarantee. Protecting Victorians at work - new criminal offence of workplace manslaughter in the Statewide Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Protect public holiday penalty rates of Victorian workers, introducing legislation in the first Statewide year.
Transport
Election Commitment Investment area
$5 billion towards the construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, which will run from the CBD to the airport via Sunshine. The full business case is now underway, with the Statewide project set to begin construction by 2022. An additional 25 level crossings will be removed by 2025. This includes Upfield and Mernda Statewide lines in the Northern Region.
$530 million to complete stage two of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade, duplicating track, Multiple Local rebuilding stations and running more trains on the Hurstbridge line. Government Areas
The Suburban Rail Loop will connect every major train line from the Frankston line all the way to the Werribee line through Melbourne Airport, with up to 12 new underground Statewide stations. The Government will invest $300 million in a full business case, design, and pre-construction works, with work on the first section in Melbourne’s south east expected to begin by the end of 2022. The south east section will run underground between Cheltenham and Box Hill – with new rail tunnels linking the Frankston, Cranbourne- Pakenham, Glen Waverley and Belgrave-Lilydale lines.
Education and early childhood
Election Commitment Investment area
Kinder for every three-year-old Statewide Labor will invest almost $5 billion over the next decade to deliver a full 15 hours of three- year-old kinder, with the rollout beginning in 2020. New schools including: • Edgars Creek Primary School Statewide • Greenvale North West Primary School • Greenvale Secondary School • Kalkallo Common Primary School • Merrifield West Primary School • Wollert East Primary School.
24 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Twenty-one school upgrades including: Statewide • $6.2 million upgrade for Brunswick North West Primary School • $1 million upgrade for Corpus Christi School (Moreland) • $3.6 million upgrade for Diamond Creek East Primary School • $3.1 million upgrade for Diamond Valley College • $450,000 upgrade for Eltham North Primary School • $2.5 million upgrade for Gladstone Park Primary School • $3.1 million upgrade for Gladstone Views Primary School • $9.2 million upgrade for Glenroy Secondary College • $9.9 million upgrade for Greensborough Secondary College • $4.9 million upgrade for Macleod College • $16.1 million upgrade for Montmorency Secondary College • $1 million upgrade for Pascoe Vale South Primary School • $400,000 upgrade for Preston Primary School • $5.7 million upgrade for Research Primary School • $4.5 million upgrade for Reservoir Primary School • $13.47 million upgrade for St Helena Secondary College • $1.4 million upgrade for St Mary’s College (Mitchell Shire) • $1.1 million upgrade for St Thomas the Apostle School (Nillumbik Shire) • $3.8 million upgrade for Viewbank Primary School • $4.1 million upgrade for Wales Street Primary School • $2 million upgrade for Watsonia Primary School. Kinder infrastructure Statewide 1000 new and upgraded kindergartens across the state. Free of charge pads and tampons in every government school Labor will provide free sanitary items in all female, unisex and accessible bathrooms at all Statewide government schools from term three, 2019. Health, housing and wellbeing
Election Commitment Investment area
New community hospitals at Whittlesea and Eltham Region Expanded existing services to become community hospitals in Craigieburn and Sunbury. New parents and early childhood investment Statewide $21.8 million over four years to give new parents a Baby Bundle, which will include a nappy bag to hold essential baby products, a teething ring or toy with information on teething, key advice on child safety, feeding, sleeping and an emergency contacts list. The bundle will also include a safe sleeping bag and muslin wrap with advice from the Royal Children’s Hospital about how to safely wrap babies, and four picture books by Victorian authors for different stages of development.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 25 Office for Suburban Development
Young Families Package: Statewide • $232 million in a comprehensive package of new parent and early childhood supports to help every Victorian parent • Build 7 new Early Parenting Centres, refurbish 2 more and deliver a range of critical services, including: • A new Early Parenting Centre in Whittlesea which will support around 690 families a yea • A revamped 24-hour phone line with specialists in sleep and settling issues • Boost the number of home visits for vulnerable families, so 7,000 families getting more support • First aid training to around 26,000 parents per year.
$395.8 million to provide free dental care at all public primary and secondary schools. Statewide
Funding for nurses and midwives to: Statewide • Undertake further nurse and midwife to patient ratio improvements to better support nurses and midwives to provide quality care to Victorian patients • Recruit more than 1,100 new nurses and midwives to rollout these improvements. $109 million for 90 new paramedics to be recruited, including $25 million to upgrade and Statewide build new ambulance stations and deliver 23 new vehicles on the road. Culture and recreation
Election Commitment Investment area
$3.4 million in an historic boost to multicultural senior citizen organisations. Statewide
Funding provided to complete 17 km of the Plenty River Trail, new bike and walking trails Region across Nillumbik, Moreland, Banyule, Darebin, Hume and Whittlesea. Liveable and sustainable communities
Election Commitment Investment area
Deliver the new Upper Merri Parklands which will stretch from Broadmeadows to Wallan. City of Hume
Half price solar panels at no up-front cost for 650,000 homes. Statewide
$82 million over ten years to provide an additional 50,000 rebates on solar panels for Statewide Victorian renters.
6,500 hectares of parkland and new walking and bike trails right across Melbourne. Statewide
26 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 27 Office for Suburban Development
Appendix 1: Northern Metropolitan Partnership – Membership
Name Description Position
Terry Terry is an experienced leader and practitioner in local government and Chair Larkins community development sectors. He has held a wide range of roles in both the development of the community and the commercial outcomes in Australia and overseas in Papua New Guinea. Terry was awarded the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 1995 for Outstanding Public Service to Local Government.
Helen Helen is a former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the Nillumbik Deputy Chair Coleman Shire Council. Along with recent career experiences in the volunteer sector, Helen has spent her career working with local communities in all aspects of neighbourhood and community life.
Meghan Meghan served as a Councillor in the City of Moreland’s South Ward 2012–16, Member Hopper and was Moreland’s youngest female Mayor. She was formerly a Chief Policy Officer in the family violence sector and is completing a PhD in political journalism and gender studies at Monash University. Meghan has extensive board experience, including previously on Monash University Council and the Victorian Ministerial Mayoral Roundtable.
Carmel Carmel has over 25 years’ experience in the community sector and is Member Guerra the founder and CEO of the Centre for Multicultural Youth. Carmel is a recognised researcher, contributor and commentator for multicultural youth affairs and is a member of the Youth Parole Board and Victorian Children’s Council. She is also Chairperson of the National Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network.
Phillip Bain Phillip is an experienced health leader having held roles as Chief Executive of Member Plenty Valley Community Health in Whittlesea and Goulburn Valley Medicare Local. Phillip has a long-standing interest in public policy, especially as it affects the north of Melbourne and is an experienced health sector executive who serves on numerous boards and committees in the region.
Mark Mark is CEO of the Melbourne Market Authority and an experienced Member Maskiell executive and professional in the business sector, having held leading roles at Essendon Airport and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
Esme Esme is the CEO of the Aborigines Advancement League and is primarily Member Bamblett concerned with Indigenous welfare issues and the preservation of Indigenous culture and heritage. Esme completed her PhD in Koori Identity in 2010.
Sue Davies Director Community/Industry Engagement and Employability at La Trobe Member University, Sue has a strong communications and community and industry engagement background, and sits on the NORTH Link and Engagement Australia Boards (engagement arm of Universities Australia), and the Committee of Management for Youth Foundation 3081.
28 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Name Description Position
Andrew Andrew has more than 37 years’ experience in operational, project and Victorian Crisp specialist roles within Victoria Police and overseas. Andrew is Deputy Government Commissioner of Regional Operations, responsible for the four policing representative regions across the state: Transit and Public Safety Command, State Emergencies and Security Command, and Family Violence Command.
Domenic Domenic is CEO of Hume City Council, where he is responsible for the day- CEO, Hume Isola to-day running of council, in particular, implementing council decisions, City Council providing timely advice to council and achieving council’s goals.
Simon Formerly the Secretary of the Department of Justice in Tasmania for five CEO, Overland years, Simon has been CEO at the City of Whittlesea since 21 August 2017. Whittlesea City He has extensive experience in executive management, leadership and Council community service roles. Simon was Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from March 2009 to mid-2011.
Mark Mark has held a number of senior positions in both the public and private CEO, Nillumbik Stoermer sectors, most notably as the Executive Director of Corporate Services at Box Shire Council Hill Institute, Director Corporate Business at the City of Melbourne and as CEO of Fordham Group Melbourne.
Sue Formerly the CEO of Colac Otway Shire Council, Sue was appointed as the CEO, Darebin Wilkinson first female CEO at Darebin in September 2017. She has extensive leadership City Council experience in both state and local governments having worked for the Department of Planning and Community Development, Monash and Port Phillip councils in planning, environmental and community focused roles.
Simon Simon has worked in local government for 28 years in both inner and CEO, Banyule McMillan middle Melbourne metropolitan areas and has been with Banyule since City Council 1999. Simon was appointed CEO Banyule City Council in 2007. Prior to this appointment, he was Director City Development responsible for Strategic Planning, Economic Development, Environment, Statutory Planning, Building, Engineering and Council Governance.
Nerina Di Nerina has over 18 years’ experience in Victorian Local Government CEO, Moreland Lorenzo in a range of senior leadership roles spanning Business Improvement, City Council Infrastructure Management and Project Delivery. Nerina has a Bachelor of Engineering, a Bachelor of Business and most recently completed a PhD on Barriers and Enablers to implementing change in Victorian Local Government organisations.
David David has 38 years’ experience with local government. David’s career has CEO, Mitchell Turnbull been with Interface municipalities undergoing significant change and Shire Council growth, combined with the challenge of maintaining township, rural and green wedge qualities.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 29 Office for Suburban Development
Appendix 2: Victorian Government Response to the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Priorities 2017
Following receipt of the Northern Metropolitan Partnership’s advice on regional priorities in November 2017, the Victorian Government considered this advice and developed responses to each of the Partnership’s stated priorities. This has included: • responding to priorities through engagement with existing government programs and services • providing funding and departmental resources to further develop proposals, where government believes detailed work and evidence are required before government can consider proposals for new infrastructure and services • developing new initiatives funded in the Victorian Budget 2018/19. The following outlines the Government’s detailed response to the Northern Metropolitan Partnership’s advice on regional priorities. Office for Suburban Development
Priority Outcome 1: Economy and transport
A connected, thriving community with jobs created in the region, unemployment rates lowered and congestion eased to create greater liveability for the growing Northern community.
Victorian Government response: removal of further level crossings in the northern region including Bell Street, Preston, Bell Street, Over recent years, the Victorian Government has Coburg and Moreland Road, Brunswick. South Morang been responding to the broad transport needs of the passengers will be able to choose from 115 new and Northern Metro Region by delivering a suite of major extended services each week and Hurstbridge line transformational city shaping transport infrastructure passengers living between Eltham and the city will projects and new trains and trams, supported by have more options with 35 new and extended services. projects that respond to the Northern Metro Region’s more local transport needs. The Government is working with councils and the private sector to develop regional employment hubs The Victorian Budget 2018/19 continues our to support more jobs closer to residents in the north. investment in the region’s transport infrastructure. Communities in the region are also benefitting from This includes a $2.2 billion Suburban Roads Upgrade the Government’s programs to support transition in Melbourne’s northern and south-eastern suburbs, of workers and businesses affected by closures which will deliver upgrades to seven metropolitan of automotive manufacturing plants. Growth in roads in the northern suburbs. The Budget also employment centres, such as the Melbourne Food provided a further $110 million to fast track completion Market, the La Trobe NEIC and Melbourne and of design and planning for the North East Link, Essendon Airports will support growth in the region’s the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network; advanced manufacturing sector and give local investment to complete the extension of rail services business greater access to nationally-connected from South Morang to Mernda; widening of the transport and logistics supply chains. remaining sections of the M80; and funding for the
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Support of Metropolitan Activity Work to support Broadmeadows Ongoing Centres (Broadmeadows) Revitalisation has commenced with the town including: hall redevelopment, improvements to Pascoe • bridge crossings (Merlynston Vale Rd to support the transition of the Loop Creek) Rd to parking, and planning for the public realm improvements to the station (works to • local connector roads (North begin soon). Meadows, East Meadows and Seabrook Reserve) The Broadmeadows Revitalisation Board is advocating for initiatives including the • Meadowlink (eastern Merlynston Creek crossing, redevelopment entrance railway station) of Broadmeadows station and diverse • car parking for town centre housing opportunities. The Board continues (Loop Road) to discuss these initiatives with the Northern Metropolitan Partnership.
Support of Metropolitan The Government is working with industry During 2018, the Partnership Activity Centres (Epping) and local stakeholders including Whittlesea were provided with updates Support the planning and Council on future opportunities for on the progress of planning delivery of the Food and development at the Melbourne Market. for the Melbourne Market, and Beverage Hub at Epping DELWP will provide updates to the what this means for future hub Partnership on progress to develop the development Melbourne Market.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 31 Office for Suburban Development
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Support of priority Major DOT and DJPR, has facilitated the DOT and DJPR has joined with Activity Centre (Coburg Square establishment of the Coburg Square Moreland Council (with council Precinct) including: Project Control Group (PCG) to oversee the in the lead) to do further work • purchase of three properties development of Coburg Square proposal. on the proposal. to create new north-south The PCG, chaired by the Moreland City road Council CEO, brings together the Council, Transport for Victoria, VicRoads, Melbourne • early construction of new Water, the Level Crossing Removal Authority traffic signalisation works to and Invest Victoria. The group is working link north-south road with together to unlock the potential of the Bell Street site through leveraging upcoming Level • flood mitigation works Crossing Removal Works on the Bell St Level • new civic town square and Crossing and potential investment by Coles roads. Supermarket. DOT and DJPR will continue to support the operation of the PCG.
Planning for Beveridge Inter- Building new interstate freight terminals is Land will be reserved for a modal Freight Terminal Identify central to the Government’s commitment to BIFT in the short term. The future configuration, future get more freight on rail. BIFT will be developed after infrastructure requirements, The Government has identified Beveridge the completion of the Western and guidance on adjoining as a future location for a new interstate rail Interstate Frieght Terminal land uses to ensure maximum freight terminal – a project vital to meeting (WIFT). BIFT is expected to be potential is realised for the the challenge of a more than doubling in developed in the longer term freight terminal hub freight volumes by 2050. 10+ years. The terminals at Truganina and Beveridge will ultimately replace the existing terminals at Dynon, which are unsuited to handling forecast freight increases or the larger trains planned for use on the Inland Rail. Strategic Planning in the Northern Growth Corridor aligns with future planning for the Beveridge Inter-modal Freight Terminal. Transport for Victoria will engage the Northern Partnership about their transport issues to further develop thinking on this priority.
Business incubators (priority: Through LaunchVic’s Supporting Local Completed March 2018 Brunswick) Council Startup Communities program, the Government and Moreland Council have secured a site for the Brunswick Incubator. The Government and Moreland Council believe that the precinct has the potential to be a major design precinct anchored by RMIT Brunswick.
32 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Additional level crossing These sites are part of the Government’s removals: announced and committed level crossing • Glenroy Rd, Glenroy removal program. Some of these level crossings have already been removed or • Camp Rd, Campbellfield works are underway, while others are in • Bell St, Coburg, planning. • Moreland Rd, Coburg • High St, Reservoir • Bell St, Preston • Grange Rd, Alphington • Lower Plenty Rd, Ivanhoe
Support the pilot scheme for The Government, through Northern Government will review results NBN rollout to small business, Melbourne Regional Development Australia of the pilot, delivered during sponsored by Banyule City and North Link, has supported the first the second half of 2018 Council stage pilot for sponsored NBN rollout for small business at Heidelberg West. The Government will evaluate the pilot results.
Secure a Smart City Deal for The Government recently signed a City City Deals expected to be Melbourne’s North Deal for Geelong. City Deals, including for negotiated over the next 1-4 the northern region, will be progressed years in consultation with the Commonwealth Government and local governments in the coming years. The Government recognises the desire of Northern Metro Region councils for a City Deal. The Government continues to engage with councils and North Link through the EPWG on ways to better identify and drive economic development opportunities as a result of the significant investment in the North East Link. This may form the basis of further discussions with the Commonwealth.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 33 Office for Suburban Development
Priority Outcome 2: Education
Support a seamless approach to lifelong learning resulting in a more skilled, work-ready, employed, resilient and connected community.
Victorian Government response: $271 million has been allocated to acquire land for schools across the state including for Hume and The Victorian Government supports this priority Whittlesea. A further $28.6 million has also been outcome and will work with the Northern Metropolitan provided statewide for the Tech Schools Package, Partnership in the delivery of infrastructure and which includes the Whittlesea Tech School and the services to enhance the region’s access to education Banyule-Nillumbik Tech School. and training. The Government is working to create more pathways The Government has so far invested $10 billion to to employment through youth and apprenticeship make Victoria the Education State. The government’s programs and other investments to transform investment in early childhood, education, skills and Victoria’s skills and training sector. The Empower training is about giving every child, young person and Youth Program has been expanded. This program adult the opportunity to succeed in life, regardless provides intensive, coordinated support to vulnerable of their background or circumstance. In response young people in areas experiencing social and to the growing demand for student places in the economic disadvantage to strengthen their health Northern Metro Region, the Government is investing and wellbeing, connection to community, engagement $82 million to upgrade 21 schools, $148.4 million to build in education and training, and their pathways to new schools and modernise and upgrade existing employment. secondary and primary schools.
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Funding for establishment On 15 February 2018, the Minister for Industry Completed of Melbourne’s North Food and Employment announced the formation of Group, to enable education the Melbourne’s North Food Group, supported and reskilling to jobs in the by a grant from the Government’s Sector food and beverage sector in Growth Program. The program offers up to $1 the north million to Victorian-based projects that align with the state’s high-growth sectors such as food and fibre, creating jobs and driving growth, productivity and competitiveness of Victorian businesses. The Victorian Budget 2018/19 included $400,000 for Melbourne’s North Food Group to support the growth of more than 400 businesses to enhance business connections, expand access to export markets and develop workers’ skills.
34 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Implement best practice Fully funded through a $200,000 commitment In the 2018–19 financial year pathways to employment, in the Victorian Budget 2018/19. leveraging existing initiatives DET will engage with Partnership members across the region to link young and other regional stakeholders to people to jobs confirm local needs, opportunities and existing sources of support. This will inform development of a new project to better connect young people in Melbourne’s north with employment. The Budget also committed an additional $28.6 million in continued support for 10 Tech Schools across the state, including Banyule- Nillumbik and Whittlesea.
Expansion of homework club DET provides funding to support the Centre Underway programs as a platform for for Multicultural Youth’s management of community strengthening the Learning Beyond the Bell program, with and engagement to support funding confirmed to December 2019. school completion The program assists schools and trains volunteers to run out-of-school-hours learning support programs for refugee and asylum seeker students across Victoria, including in the Northern Metro Region. Office for Suburban Development
Priority Outcome 3: Environment
Improve connection to the natural environment through recreational trails and increased use of cycling and walking.
Victorian Government response: The Victorian Government supports this priority outcome and will work with the Northern Metropolitan Partnership to protect and enhance the region’s key environmental assets, and increase people’s access and enjoyment of the natural environment. The Government is working on innovative integrated planning approaches to protect open space in the growth area of the northern region including Sunbury and Lancefield. The Government is working with Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Hume City Council, the Wurundjeri Council and private landholders to establish Jacksons Creek Parklands to protect the environmental values of the area and provide open space for current and future communities. The Government’s biodiversity policy, Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 has a strong focus on people valuing nature. The plan’s Implementation Framework, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Framework were both released in March 2018 and include 89 actions to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment so it is healthy, valued and actively cared for.
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Construction of priority trails The Government is providing $1 In the 2018-19 financial year from the Northern Regional Trails million for the Northern Metropolitan Strategy: Partnership for priority cycling and • La Trobe University hiking trails projects identified in the Northern Regional Trails Strategy. • Shared Path DELWP will provide administrative • Blind Creek Trail assistance in prioritising and • Meadowlink Shared Pathway implementing these trails. • Diamond Creek Trail The Victorian Budget 2018/19 also • Main Yarra Trail Realignment committed: • East-West Power Easement • $22.7million to upgrade and maintain Trail active transport network • infrastructure, including the Diamond Creek to Hurstbridge and Upfield trail and pedestrian and cycling path upgrades in Brunswick, Pascoe Vale, and Heidelberg • $0.3 million to develop a Melbourne- wide Metropolitan Open Space Strategy. Office for Suburban Development
Priority Outcome 4: Connected Young People
Enable young people to have a voice, feel connected to communities, be healthy, respected, and ensure diversity thrives, by establishing a youth congress for the region, led by young people.
Victorian Government response: The youth policy Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria establishes a Youth Engagement Charter The Government supports this priority outcome and outlining the principles to guide the Government’s will work with the Northern Metropolitan Partnership engagement with young people. A number of flagship to enhance the engagement of young people in projects have already been implemented to increase determining regional priorities. engagement: an annual Youth Summit bringing The Government is committed to engaging and together young people to discuss priority youth listening to young people, to ensure that they have a issues, and the Youth Congress, which is a statewide voice in decision-making and feel connected to their advisory group made up of young people between the communities. The Office for Youth (in DHHS) leads and ages of 12 and 24. These representatives will advise coordinates whole-of-government policy advice on government and act on priority issues. issues affecting young people and delivers initiatives to support youth engagement and the participation of young people in civic and economic life.
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Stage 1: Youth congress for DHHS (North) will work with other government Continuing into 2019 the region, led by young departments, local government and other services people, to determine to identify how young people can be involved in priorities activities, including existing forums, to strengthen the voice of young people. The Government hosted a Metropolitan Partnerships Youth Forum in May 2018 and the Office for Youth will support the Northern Metropolitan Partnership in the development of Northern Metro Region- specific youth engagement initiatives.
Stage 2: Provide resources The Office for Youth has met the Metropolitan Continuing into 2019 for young people to address Development Advisory Panel and a representative priorities identified from the Northern Metropolitan Partnership to advise on existing grant programs that support young people to address local priorities. The Victorian Budget 2018/19 includes $200,000 to better connect young people in Melbourne’s Northern Metro Region with employment opportunities. This project will be developed in collaboration with the Northern Metropolitan Partnership.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 37 Office for Suburban Development
Priority Outcome 5: Health & Wellbeing
Prevent avoidable hospital admissions and improve health and wellbeing through increased access to affordable clinical health and community services that cater to the north’s culturally diverse community.
Victorian Government response: Building on the Government’s major investments in hospitals, we are making further investments in our The Government supports this priority outcome and health workforce, boosting access to mental health, will work with the Northern Metropolitan Partnership to expanding alcohol and drug treatment and early improve the health and wellbeing of northern region intervention services, and improving ambulance communities. response times. We are providing more support for Major new investments in health are being guided new parents and their children, as well as vulnerable by the Government’s Statewide Design, Service and families whose support in times of crisis or following Infrastructure Plan for Victoria’s Health System 2017– trauma is critical to keeping children safe. Under 2037, released in December 2017. This plan supports the Absolutely Everyone: State Disability Plan 2017– joined-up planning at the regional level across health 2020, the Government is also assisting people with services, local government, Primary Health Networks, a disability to overcome barriers to employment, Aboriginal-controlled health services, and other education and housing, and investing further in service sectors. support services so that people achieve a smooth transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Through the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Investment Planning (SHIP) grants program, Darebin ($110,000), along with Whittlesea, Hume and Mitchell ($200,000 as a partnership) Councils received funding to help drive the planning and development of social housing in their respective areas.
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Development of a Health and The Government is supporting further Wellbeing Hub in Craigieburn planning for health and wellbeing hubs, with our metropolitan growth corridors a priority for future capacity development.
Mental Health for young people DHHS convened a workshop with key July – Sept 2018 in the outer north stakeholders in the outer North Metro Part 1: A scoping study to Region to map current service planning investigate gaps in youth mental initiatives (underway or completed) health services in the outer and to better identify key service north (federal and state funded gaps in youth mental health services services from early intervention across primary, secondary and tertiary to secondary and tertiary) interventions. A key outcome of the workshop was to establish a shared understanding of priority issues and agreed next steps.
Part 2: Implementation plan and The outcomes of part 1 of this priority will 1-4 years delivery where critical gaps exist inform the implementation plan.
38 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Office for Suburban Development
Priority Action Government Response Timeframe
Culturally appropriate services DHHS North Division is developing an Continuing into 2019 for Aboriginal people Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework to Part 1: Develop a strategy to assist in progressing implementation of provide culturally appropriate the Korin Korin Balit-Djak strategic plan health services for Aboriginal and the Aboriginal Governance and people Accountability Framework mechanisms. This will identify strategies to build the cultural capabilities of universal health services across the division.
Part 2: Delivery of training/ DHHS North Division is developing an 1-4 years capacity building activities Aboriginal Cultural Framework to assist in identifying Aboriginal-specific training and capacity building requirements across the health and human services sector. The Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative will complement the approach by offering the resources required to support the approach.
Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 39 Office for Suburban Development
Appendix 3: Glossary
20-minute neighbourhood: Accessible, safe and Major Activity Centres: Suburban centres that attractive local areas where people can access most provide access to a wide range of goods and services. of their everyday needs within a 20-minute walk, cycle They have different attributes and provide different or local public transport trip. functions, with some serving larger subregional catchments. Plan Melbourne identified 121 Major Active transport: Transport requiring physical activity, Activity Centres. typically walking and cycling. Melbourne’s 10 interface councils: Outer-suburban Activity centres: Areas that provide a focus for councils in some of the most rapidly growing services, employment, housing, transport and social areas in Melbourne: Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, interaction. They range in size and intensity of Mitchell, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, use from smaller neighbourhood centres to major Wyndham and Yarra Ranges. suburban centres and larger metropolitan centres. Metropolitan Activity Centres: Higher-order Affordable housing: Housing that is appropriate centres with diverse employment options, services for the needs of a range of very low to moderate and housing stock, supported by good transport income households, and priced (whether mortgage connections. Existing centres include Box Hill, repayments or rent) so these households are able to Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Epping, Footscray, meet their other essential basic living costs. Fountain Gate/Narre Warren, Frankston, Ringwood Annual Assembly: Annual meeting in each and Sunshine. Future centres will include Lockerbie metropolitan region in June/July/August 2018 to assist and Toolern. Metropolitan Partnerships to test, refine and finalise Metropolitan Melbourne: The 31 municipalities that their annual advice to government. make up metropolitan Melbourne, plus part of Mitchell Community infrastructure: Public places and spaces Shire within the urban growth boundary. that accommodate community facilities and services Metropolitan region: A grouping of metropolitan and support individuals, families and groups to meet local government areas that are connected by their social needs, maximise their potential and their alignment within the city’s major transport enhance community wellbeing. corridors and shared use of major metropolitan Greenfield: Undeveloped land identified for residential infrastructure and services. Plan Melbourne identified or industrial/commercial development, generally on six metropolitan regions: Western, Eastern, Southern, the fringe of metropolitan Melbourne. Northern, Inner South East and Inner Metro. Green wedges: Defined under Part 3AA of the National Employment and Innovation Cluster: Planning and Environment Act 1987 as “land that is Designated concentrations of employment described in a metropolitan fringe planning scheme distinguished by a strong core of nationally significant as being outside an urban growth boundary”. There knowledge-sector businesses and institutions that are 12 defined green wedges spanning parts of 17 make a major contribution to the national economy municipalities. and Melbourne’s positioning in the global economy. Growth areas: Locations on the fringe of metropolitan Resilience: The capacity of individuals, communities, Melbourne designated in planning schemes for large- institutions, businesses, systems and infrastructure scale transformation, over many years, from rural to to survive, adapt and grow, no matter what chronic urban use. stresses or shocks they encounter. Infrastructure: Basic facilities and networks needed Urban growth boundary: The geographic limit for the for the functioning of a local community or broader future urban area of Melbourne. society. Urban renewal: The process of planning and Liveability: A measure of a city’s residents’ quality redeveloping underutilised medium and large-scale of life, used to benchmark cities around the world. It urban areas, precincts or sites for mixed land-use includes socioeconomic, environmental, transport and purposes. recreational measures.
40 Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan Northern Metro Region Five Year Plan 41